A brig at Sunderland Docks. Author’s collection
Sunderland Docks was thriving and prosperous in the nineteenth century. As well as the revenue generated by the cargoes that were shipped to and from the town, there was also the spending by the ships’ crews. Having been at sea for long periods of time, when a port was reached the crew would be ready for some relaxation. In the main these men would just have a good time with wine, woman and song. On occasion, however, too much of a good thing, namely alcohol, would cause a brooding resentment and anger against a fellow man. Skirmishes, quarrels and drunken brawls would take place, sometimes with fatal results.
In June of 1878 the barque William Leckie was at anchor in Sunderland Roads. The vessel belonged to Mr William Nicholson and other gentlemen from the town. It was preparing to sail to Montevideo with a cargo of coal. The master of the vessel was Captain Lumley Fletcher and he had engaged thirty-two year old Robert Vest as cook and ship’s steward. Vest had previously been unemployed for some time.
A brig at Sunderland Docks. Author’s collection
On 26 June Captain Fletcher went to Newcastle on an early morning train to procure the necessary papers for his vessel. He arrived back to board the barque at about four in the afternoon intending to weigh anchor and set sail but there was insufficient wind. While on board the captain noticed that Vest was drunk. He checked the seals on the stores but they were secure. Vest, therefore, must have brought alcohol on board from ashore. Captain Fletcher told Vest that he would not tolerate drunkenness aboard his ship and he was to leave his duties and do no more until the morning. Fletcher then threatened Vest that he would ‘have to go forward’ meaning he would be reduced to the ranks of a common seaman. John Wallace was an old trusted pilot aboard the vessel and as such was in charge when the captain was absent. The pilot was known as a peaceful, inoffensive man who only interfered officiously with the crew if it was absolutely necessary. It seems that Wallace had already spoken to Vest about the state he was in. It is not known whether Wallace actually reported Vest’s condition to the captain. It was, however, certain that the captain and Wallace both supported each other on this type of complaint. The events that followed the reprimand show that Vest must have been very angry and, unbeknown to them, was harbouring a grudge against his employers.
To pass the time until the barque could set sail, three of the crewmen, an apprentice named Thomas William Talbot and seamen Richard Smith and John Moss, were on the forward deck with a concertina and a violin. The boatswain and carpenter were aft near the main rigging. They were all suddenly startled by a shout for help that came from the water closet. They ran towards it to find Vest holding Wallace by the collar and threatening him with a large bowie knife. Talbot tried to strike the arm Vest was holding the knife with to make him release it but to no avail. The apprentice then ran to the rail for a belaying pin, but could not get one out. Before anyone could stop him Vest ploughed the knife deep into Wallace’s stomach. The large knife disappeared to its hilt. Wallace had been using the toilet at the time of the attack so he was in a state of undress. He staggered up pulling the knife free as he did so, then dropped to his knees at the door of the closet. Wallace then fell back insensible. Because his clothes were not fastened the wound was in full view. It was so deep that the man’s bowels were protruding. There was also a gash on Wallace’s throat where Vest must have stabbed him before he could shout for help. Another apprentice, George Dodds, that was there asked Vest what he deserved for stabbing an old man but Vest did not reply. By this time the captain had arrived and ordered bandages for Wallace’s wounds and brandy. Before these were obtained the old pilot had died.
Long months at sea meant that feeding the crew adequately was important for the morale of the ship. This is the galley of the Trincomalee, an 1817 frigate, which has been restored and is berthed within the Hartlepool Quay. John C Harrison
Vest was lashed to the deck and word was sent ashore. Sergeant Lakin and other officers arrived on the tug Champion. Vest was taken into custody and removed to the Low Street police station.
At the inquest, held at Sunderland police courts, Vest said that the captain had threatened him and that Wallace had pushed him about. He also said that he had asked to be put ashore and the captain had refused. Captain Fletcher denied these accusations, except for the threat of demoting Vest because he was so drunk he was not capable of carrying out the rest of his duties that day. After reprimanding Vest, the captain had ordered a keg of rum to be opened and everyone aboard was given one glass each, except for Vest because he had already had enough to drink. This would probably have fuelled Vest’s anger and need for revenge. It was thought that if Captain Fletcher had been found instead of Wallace it would have been him that would have suffered Vest’s fury.
The heads (water closet or toilet) for use by the captain would have been enclosed for privacy. This is a view of the heads for the use of the crew on the Trincomalee, an 1817 frigate, which has been restored and is berthed within the Hartlepool Quay. Author’s collection
At the Durham Assizes presided over by Judge Baggalley, on investigation of Vest’s character it was found that he had been incarcerated previously for assaulting Mr White, the Seaham gas manager. Witnesses came forward with statements about his violent temper. Vest had been known to brandish knives in a threatening manner. It was also found that he had resigned from a good situation because he felt that his employers were exploiting the working classes to make their fortunes. He had decided to write a book on the subject saying that he would make a fortune and gain his independency by selling his story at 2s 6d (15p) a copy. Because people laughed at this idea, in a frenzy he tore the manuscript into bits. Vest had also made a very strange statement:
When a soldier, I, in duty to my country killed and slayed many innocent beings who never did me the slightest injury; then why cannot I kill my enemies, which I will do and be hanged for it.
No one except Vest, Captain Fletcher and Wallace knew exactly what was said and done during the altercation aboard ship. The fact remained that Vest had taken an old man’s life and he was found guilty of Wallace’s murder and sentenced to death. His execution was carried out on 30 July 1878 by William Marwood.
