Britain’s Last Trial for Cannibalism at Sea the Story of the Mignonette
Britain’s last trial for cannibalism at sea The story of the Mignonette
Bartlett Library Researchers © 2008 National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Introduction The obituary of John Burton, proprietor of the famous Old Curiosity Shop in Falmouth was printed as a special supplement to the Cornish Echo of 31 May 1907. This included the following paragraph: Bail for the Mignonette Crew In the year 1884 the country was horror stricken by the recital of a story of cannibalism at sea. The yacht sunk at sea, and the crew, after being in an open boat nineteen days and nights without provisions, cast lots among themselves as to who should be killed to afford the others sustenance. It fell to the lot of a boy named Parker to be sacrificed, and he was accordingly killed and eaten. When the crew landed at Falmouth they were arrested and charged with murder, being committed for trial at the Assizes. John Burton came forward as bail for the accused men, £400 for Captain Dudley, £400 for Mr. Stephens, the mate, and £200 for Brooks, the seaman - £1,000 in all. For this act he was presented with a gold snuff box by the citizens of London, a memento he was extremely proud of. The captain and mate were sentenced to death at the Central Criminal Court, London but the sentence was subsequently commuted to one of six months’ imprisonment. Brooks, the seaman, who turned Queen’s evidence, was acquitted. 1 This case became a ‘Leading Case’ which focussed attention upon whether it could ever be necessary to take the life of another for the sake of oneself, regardless of the circumstances. The story In the Spring of 1884, an Australian gentleman visiting England purchased a yacht, the Mignonette, which he wished to have delivered to his home in Australia. He found a man named Dudley who appeared capable of undertaking the task and he in turn, recruited three other men to help him: Stephens, Brooks and a lad called Parker. They set sail from Southampton on 19th May and set a southerly course to
Bartlett Library Researchers © 2008 National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Introduction The obituary of John Burton, proprietor of the famous Old Curiosity Shop in Falmouth was printed as a special supplement to the Cornish Echo of 31 May 1907. This included the following paragraph: Bail for the Mignonette Crew In the year 1884 the country was horror stricken by the recital of a story of cannibalism at sea. The yacht sunk at sea, and the crew, after being in an open boat nineteen days and nights without provisions, cast lots among themselves as to who should be killed to afford the others sustenance. It fell to the lot of a boy named Parker to be sacrificed, and he was accordingly killed and eaten. When the crew landed at Falmouth they were arrested and charged with murder, being committed for trial at the Assizes. John Burton came forward as bail for the accused men, £400 for Captain Dudley, £400 for Mr. Stephens, the mate, and £200 for Brooks, the seaman - £1,000 in all. For this act he was presented with a gold snuff box by the citizens of London, a memento he was extremely proud of. The captain and mate were sentenced to death at the Central Criminal Court, London but the sentence was subsequently commuted to one of six months’ imprisonment. Brooks, the seaman, who turned Queen’s evidence, was acquitted. 1 This case became a ‘Leading Case’ which focussed attention upon whether it could ever be necessary to take the life of another for the sake of oneself, regardless of the circumstances. The story In the Spring of 1884, an Australian gentleman visiting England purchased a yacht, the Mignonette, which he wished to have delivered to his home in Australia. He found a man named Dudley who appeared capable of undertaking the task and he in turn, recruited three other men to help him: Stephens, Brooks and a lad called Parker. They set sail from Southampton on 19th May and set a southerly course to
Bibliography: The best description of the case can be found in The Custom of the Sea by Neil Hanson, published 2000 by Doubleday ISBN 0-471-38389-9 The Falmouth Harbour Commissioners Minutes and other records are held in the Bartlett Library at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall 5 6 Falmouth Harbour Commissioners’ Minutes Book 3 Page 121, 21 October 1884 th Falmouth Harbour Commissioners’ minutes Book 3 Page 123 - 124, 18 November 1884 st 4