The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-08-08
THEY COULDN'T KILL ALL.
Their First Victims Blood Sickened
MurderOus Sailors.

A Thrilling Tale of the Sea Recalled by
the Recent Murders on the Barkentine
Herbert Il. Fuiler-saiIors Plot to Muir
der the Officers of the Bark Hesper. but
Desist After Killing One Because Their
"Stomachs Turn Sick"
(The New York Times)
Washington, Aug. 1.-Since the dis
oovery of the horrible murders committed
on the Barkentine Herbert Il. Fuller,
which lately put into Halifax towing a
boat containing the bodies of the cap
tain, his wife, and the second mate, the
subject of foul play on shipboard has re-
ceived much attention. Were it not that
have wholesome dread of thu law, the
lives Of shipmasters might be placed in
greater jeopardy than they now are
through forecastle plots. Some skippers
are SO cruel and permit their officers such
license in their treatment of their crews
that it is a wonder that the record of
crimes ON the high seas is not fuller.
The one fact that every ship must sooner or
later seek port undoubtedly saves many
sea captain from tragic fate The court
records of the big seaports of the world
show, however, that despite the almost
certain punishment that awaits ocean
male factors, mutinies and attempts at
mutiny are of frequent occurrence. Some
of the most appalling deeds may bs
traced to the evil influence of some men,
Der of that crew. Once in while ship
reaches port with story that smacks of
the startling scenes in Treasure Island"
or "The Wreck of the Grosvenor, but
oftener the tale is restricted to an ac-
count of cold FLOODED murder.
There 10 on file at the Depart
ment of Justice, in this city, the reoor1
Of a case which resembles in many par
ticulars that of the crime on the barksn-
sine Fuller. The story is that of plot
to murder the captain and first and sec
ond mates of the bark Hesper. The plot
was based on the idea of an ignorant
sailor that the bark carried large
amount of specie. de proposed that after
the officers were put out of the way the
crew should steer tho bark for the coast
of Chill, burn her when within easy dis
tance of the shore, and then take to the
long boat after dividing the swag. The
oonspirstors butohered the second mate
In the most shocking manner, but grew
faint-hearted CT the sight of his blood,
and the remainder of their Inurderous
plan was not carried out. Two of them
were hanged for the crime, but the third,
who richly deserved death, escaped the
gallows by teohnicality.
The Hesper, commanded by Capt. F.
Sodergren, was making voyage from
Australia to Honolulu. She left New
castle, December 90, with crew consist
ing of fourteen persons. She had mis-
oellnneous cargo. Her deck was loaded
with coal to the height of ten or twelve
feet. The top of the coal was covered
over with some hard wood, and on that
a temporary deck was laid. Henry Lucas
was the first mate, and Morris Fitzgerald
second mate. The latter had charge of
the starboard watch. SO far as can be
learned from the records, the captain was
@ man of action, but without much learn
ing. He was of foreign extraction, and
most of the crew were Scandinavians.
The Hesper, however. carried the Ameri-
can flag. Ths captains wi fe was on
board.
The Dark had fair winds, and made a
good course Though the lower parallels
On the night of January IS, 1898, the
starboard watch was on duty from eight
until twelve o'clock. 1t consisted of
mate Fitzgerald and seamen Thomas ST.
Clair, Herman Sparf, Hans Hansen. and
Edwin Larsen. The port watch was
made up of matte Lucas and seaman
Thomas Green, JAMS Olsen, Hency West.
erlind, and Panda Seoaria. Lucas was
routed out of his bunk about twelve
minutes to midnight by Herman Spnrf.
He dressed leisurely, and as he was going
on deck eight bells struck for IL O'Clock.
Lucas went to the wheel and asked for
the second mate. The man at the wheel
said he did not know where Fitzgerald
was. Lucas called the mates name, but
received no answer. He asked several
the second mate. They gave evasive an
swers. Lucas took light and went for
ward, but without discovering any trace
of the second mate. Then be became sus-
Dicious of foul play and called the Gap
tain.
Captain Sodergren appears to have had
both courage and presence of mind. He
called the starboard watch on deck again
and asked each member If he had seen
the second mate. The replies were con-
fictiDg. One man had seen Fitzgerald
on the deck load. Another had seen him
going forward shortly before eight bells
were struck. The captain caused lights
to be- brought and made thorough seach
of the vessel. Very soon his suspicion
that the second mate had been murdered
was confirmed. Near the mainmast he
found great pool of blood. He had or
dered the starboard watch to remain on
deck, and now he ordered the men into