Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 8 on 17/5/2003.

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Murder most horrid

LOUISE NICOLSON REVEALS THE GORY GOINGS-ON ABOARD THE RIFLEMAN ON HER VOYAGE TO AUSTRALIA IN 1873

March 16th 1873, 4.30am, middle watch. George Morgan, chief officer, walks briskly along the wooden deck. Something is wrong aboard the Rifleman. The helmsman says that most of the crew were violently sick during the night. Puzzling.

“Sir, the captain needs to see you,” says the new steward, William Krauss. Quickly draining his coffee, Morgan strides to the captain’s cabin, “Do you want me sir?”

Instead of Captain Longmuir’s reply, Morgan receives a vicious thud to the left temple. Turning, stunned, Morgan sees Krauss deliver the second blow with a 5lb-iron bolti. He is struck with such force that the wooden beam above his head is scarred. Despite his world spinning, Morgan grabs his attacker, thrusts him against the Captain’s bed and calls frantically for boatswain John Nichols. A struggle of hands, and a gun is pulled from Krauss’ pocket. Nichols falls with a bullet lodged in his neck. A second shot misses Morgan’s head and burrows deep inside awooden beam. Second officer Newton hurries in, and after a sweaty wrestle, Krauss is disarmed. “What have you done to the Captain?” Silence. Morgan orders Newton to lift the Captain’s counterpane. Bedding, mattress and berth are saturated with red. The Captain’s warm body is covered in blood from a deep clean cut on his right temple and a thin length of log line knots wound twice round his neck. Newton quickly cuts the dead man free. Morgan bursts out, “You scoundrel, you have killed the captain!”

"It wasn’t me!” But Krauss has .....

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By Louise Nicholson

Section : Bizarre Scotland

Page number : 74