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This newspaper page contains 21 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Boston Post
Location
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Date
Aug 19, 1897
Page
2
A Portland to Boston voyage under Captain Whitman ends in tragedy after a violent crew dispute. Whitman’s harsh leadership leads to a medical aid stop, crew defections, and a fatal blow by a reckless 22 year old engineer. The Olive Pecker later arrives in Boston with a disordered crew and a reputation for brutality.
June 11 to 18 tensions aboard the Olive Pecker rise as engineer William Harsburgh deserts to be stopped by irons after a confrontation with Captain Whitman. The conflict centers on labor, pay and harsh discipline aboard the long voyage bound for sea, drawing a police patrol into the harbor.
A ship captain dismisses his own crew as mutinous and installs the French sailor Barstad as engineer after the quarrel with the erstwhile engineer. Police refuse to detain the offender. Captain Whitman seeks guidance from the United States shipping commissioner on how to proceed and avoid legal trouble. The tug Doane stands by as the schooner nears Nan Tasket Roads to prevent desertion.
The Olive Pecker sails from Boston on its final voyage after a mutiny threat and a plan to trim a troublesome captain. The crew departs with two officers aboard as rumors of a suppressed mutiny unfold and the fate of the ship remains unknown.
Old mariners recount a harsh voyage toward Bahia as mutiny brews aboard the Olive Pecker. In a fevered push for escape, Harsburgh and companions plot to kill Captain Whitman and Mate Saunders, smear the deck with blood, and flee for the coast as the ship drifts through doldrums and tropic heat.
Engineer mutinous in port seizes cylinder head and flees. Captain Whitman chases him across deck before police intervene. Towboat Leader aids in tow of schooner and cylinder head repair. Warren L. Knox, treasurer of Van Choate Electric, relates details at Boston Towboat office. Captain Doane, Harsburgh, and crew cited by commissioner.
Captain Walter S. Doane recalls Captain Whitman’s murder aboard the Olive Pecker framed by mutiny aboard the Leader. Reports describe the crew, the navigator daughter, and differing views on the mutiny, with sailors and boarding-house sources weighing motives and past temper.
In Rockland Maine Captain Jack Whitman, famed in the fishing trade from Gloucester to Rockland, dies leaving a generous, kind memory. His career spanned Guysboro Nova Scotia birth, Gloucester sailing, coasting with Addie E. Snow, Eugene Bourda, and finally the Olive Pecker. He shared a home with wife and daughter and planned retirement as his vessel’s Boston home port.
A Kennebunkport family reports their child suffered eye scrofula until Hood's Sarsaparilla was tried. They say the boy improved quickly and regained ability to play and enjoy life like other children.
Patrolmen Russell McCarthy and Eldridge report a disturbance aboard the Leader near the Olive Pecker. Harsburgh claimed he threw away a cylinder head to avoid second mate duties, but confession followed after police threat. The captain did not press charges, and no blotter entry was made amid later murder reports.
Boutrot testifies that Captain Whitman had a violent temper and requested rid of Elias Saunders, a quiet man who lived with Boutrot for twelve years. Saunders and chief mate Saun ders were aboard after long talks, while Harsburgh, a young Scotch engineer, is described as a mere boy. Whitman’s notorious ship and mutiny risks loom over the tale.
Miss Hattie Grant, niece of the murdered captain, was seen at her Upton street home last evening. She last saw her uncle June 18 after dining with his family aboard the vessel. She knows no enemies and notes he planned retirement from shipping soon.
Article recounts the Herbert Fuller case and related maritime murders, noting Captain Whitman and First Mate Bram in Charles Street Jail awaiting Supreme Court action. It recalls the Jefferson Borden tragedy from twenty years prior, a Norwegian captain killed, and a feeble minded steward who attacked his captain.
The Jefferson Borden mutiny tale revisits the murder of Captain Whitman during a voyage from New Orleans to London. Captain William Patterson, his relatives, and crew members including Able Seaman Jacob Limber and Steward Aiken faced charges as the voyage from New Orleans began March 3 1875, with weather turning from rough to clear by mid April.
The account recalls killings at sea involving captains and crew. The Freeman incident near seven years ago saw Captain Howes shoot a Japanese steward, who died. the captain served three years in Barnstable jail. Other murders include the William Hales, where the Chinese steward killed the captain and wife before leaping overboard, and the Zero tragedy off Nova Scotia where the chef killed Captain Benson under a crew plot.
The crew complained of lack of food and dirty water aboard the schooner Jefferson Borden. The steward testified provisions were ample though bread spoiled and one cask leaked salt water. Murders of the mate and second mate occurred, with plans to kill the captain thwarted. trial began with Miller Glue and Smith indicted on April 20, 1875 for piracy and murder on the high seas.
The trial dated Sept 21 187% before Justices including Nathan Clifford saw jurors Jared Pratt foreman and others. Miller and Smith were sentenced to be hanged but commuted to life imprisonment in Thomaston Maine. Glue pleaded guilty to mutiny and received ten years hard labor. Captain Patterson now resides.
The article recounts historic mutinies on ships bound to and from this port. It details the Swedish brig Natal voyage to Brisbane in 1883 with Captain Enstrom and his son, the mutiny, a fatal wounding of the ringleader, and the men sent to Port Natal for trial. It also notes Steward Edward Sears of the Nellie Do voyage, who killed the captain, was jailed in Philadelphia, and later released.
Sidney Robert Fleet, Lowell Citizen-Courier night editor, and Agnes Fulton Barker, daughter of late Spaf ford J. Barker, U S consul at Fredericton N B, were wed at St Anne's Episcopal Lowell In a small ceremony due to Fleet illness. The bride’s mother gave her away. Rev Wilson Waters officiated. Fleet, Amherst Class of 1891 graduate, began at Hartford Courant. Agnes, a successful New Bedford teacher, also comes from a well educated background.
Division 42 A O H met in Hanover Hall with Thom as McGuire presiding. Nine initiations, fourteen propositions sent in, and plans for a November 5 ball. Members endorsed a pro Irish American and liberty minded candidate for leadership. A large delegation praised the order’s welfare and membership.
The open season begins August 16 in the Adirone docks region. After that date the Fitchburg railroad may become a more popular route than it is currently. The 8 a.m. Plattsburg buffet parlor car runs full each day.
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