The Mary Celeste by Stan Mason

Author:Stan Mason
Language: eng, eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: mary, celeste, mystery, ship, solve, amazing, sea, sailor
ISBN: 9781783334476
Publisher: Andrews UK
Published: 2013-12-11T16:00:00+00:00

The Testimony

For many years prior to 1871, successive governors had been caused anxiety by the overcrowding within the fortress of Gibraltar. By 1844, the population had risen to 15,823 when a new classification was adopted to define British and alien populations, which were 12,182 and 3,641 respectively. The former comprised 995 persons of British Isles stock - including service families - 9,802 natives and 1,385 British and native Jews. Among the aliens there were 1,892 Spaniards, 782 Genoese, 525 Portuguese and 240 Barbary Jews. The remaining 202 came from many different countries, including France and Italy. By the census of 1871, the total population had reached 18,695, although cholera epidemics affected numbers from time to time.

The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 did not result in rapid commercial developments in Gibraltar and the period until near the end of the century.....when the naval harbour was built.....was not particularly prosperous. Consequently, the pattern of existence on the Rock was motley and uninspiring. Lieutenant-General Sir George Don was appointed Lieutenant-Governor in 1814, and it was he who built many famous monuments, such as the Alameda Gardens, the Exchange Building, the Civil Hospital (now St. Bernard’s Hospital), and the Law Courts. Nearly all the activity in the nineteenth century occurred in Main Street, and Sir George decided to build the Law Courts there to allow easy access for those who wished to see justice carried out. After 1830, the Courts were closely related in style and practice to the English Courts, and on Wednesday the eighteenth of December, 1872.....five days after the arrival of the Mary Celeste.....the Court was assembled to hear the salvage claim by the crew of the Dei Gratia. But there were other important issues to be pursued in this case - including the possibility of mutiny, murder and conspiracy. The eyes of the world would be on Gibraltar and the result would depend on the skill of the law.

The first session began with ‘The Queen, in Her Office of Admiralty Against the Ship or Vessel supposed to be called Mary Celeste and her cargo proceeded against as a derelict’. Queen Victoria was represented by Sir James Cochrane, Knight, and Commissary of the Vice-Admiralty Court of Gibraltar. Of the others, Edward Joscelyn Baumgartner acted as Registrar; Frederick Solly Flood was Advocate and Proctor for the Queen in Her Office of Admiralty; Henry Peter Pisani, Advocate and Proctor for David Reed Moorhouse (Captain of the Dei Gratia) and also for the owners, officers and crew of the brigantine claiming as salvors. There was also George F. Cornwell of Lincoln’s Inn, London, Proctor for the claimants of the Mary Celeste, and Martin W. Stokes, Proctor for the claimants of the cargo.

Oliver Deveau was the first witness called and he was duly sworn in after entering the witness-box. He showed no signs of nervousness or strain, turning his weather-beaten face towards the examiner and looking highly presentable for once with his beard being well-combed.

Sir James: Mr. Deveau, you were aboard the vessel Dei Gratia during the latter part of November and in early December?

Deveau: Yes, sir.

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