The Murder of Captain Longmuir

The Murder of Captain Longmuir

  Friday, October 29, 2021    Ron Field

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 Captain James Riach Longmuir was the husband of Helen Ord and master of the clipper Rifleman sometime before 1867 until his death in 1872.  On the 28th of December 1872 the Rifleman left London for Australia.  Captain Longmuir had expected the steward of the previous voyage to return with him, but was disappointed, and almost at the last moment reluctantly, we believe, engaged a German, of whose antecedents he had no means of obtaining information.  The new Steward of the vessel signed his name as William Krauss, he was also known as William Cross.

The sworn detailed account, as set forth in the ship's log, is substantially as follows: - On March 16, in lat.31.35 south, long. 34 west., the chief officer, Mr Morgan, had the middle watch, and about 4:30 am the steward brought him a cup of coffee, which he drank, and then walking aft to the compass was told by the helmsman that the crew thought something had been wrong with their grog, as all hands had been vomitting the day before.

Mr Morgan had been thinking over the matter, when the steward came on deck and said that Captain Longmuir wanted him.  He, of course, went below, the steward following.

When he got to the Captain's cabin, he called out "do you want me, Sir" and almost immediately received a violent blow over the left temple.  Although partially stunned, he turned round, and as he did so, received a second blow.

Seeing it was the Steward, he immediately closed with him and got his arms around him.  In the struggle, he got the steward against the foot of the captains berth, calling on the boatswain for assistance, who 

immediately rushed in and assisted in holding the steward's hands.  But, unwittingly, he let go , when the steward immediately drew a revolver, and firing at the boatswain, drove the bullet into his neck.

Mr Morgan seeing the boatswain falling, and thinking him killed, attempted again to secure the steward's hands, and at length got him fast by the wrists, and threw him on the cabin deck, but not before he had time to fire a second shot, which, barely missing Mr Morgan's head, buried itself in one of the beams.  Mr Newton, the second officer, hearing calls for help and the discharge of firearms, ran into the cabin with the rest of the watch, and after some difficulty, the steward was disarmed.

Dreading the worst, a light was procured, and on removing the coverlet a fearful sight met their eyes.  There lay Captain Longmuir, with his head beaten in, and quite dead, and the mattress, bedding, and berth deluged in blood.

He had evidently never struggled, but must have died from the effects of a single blow, or perhaps accelerated by strangulation, as a piece of log line was round the unfortunate man's throat, and drawn quite tight.  Krauss, on being searched, was found to have a second pistol (single barrel) concealed on him, also a dagger and long knife and 24 cartridges; and on the floor of the captain's room an iron channel bolt was picked up, about two feet long, and weighing 5 lbs.- doubtless the fatal instrument used, as the mark of the bolt head is on the beam over the berth as if it had been caused by raising the bolt too high.

Five pieces of line of similar description and length were also found in the steward's berth.  The Captain's body was put in spirits, and has been brought on to Sidney.  Krauss, after being well secured, was placed in the deck-house, and on his arrival was taken on shore by the water police.

He denies any knowledge of the crimes which have been committed.  An inquest was held and he was tried on a charge of wilful murder.  It must have been a foregone conclusion that he was guilty - and he was hung at Darlinghurst Jail and buried at Haslam Creek, Sydney.

Captain Longmuir had been a frequent visitor to Sidney and captained some of the finest ships.  It was reported in newspapers at the time that he was a most kind-hearted genial man, and respected by all who knew him.  On hearing of his death, all the ships in harbour flew their flags at half-mast as a sign of respect.

At the time of his murder, his wife Helen and their children, the youngest just 5 years old, were living in Old Machar.  By 1881, son Hugh was mate of the George Thompson, daughter Christine was a music teacher, John and James were seamen, Alex a shipping clerk, and Helen, the youngest, was still at school.

Captain Longmuir's wife Helen Ord was a 3rd cousin 4 times removed from my paternal side of the family.  Captain Longmuir's mother-in-law, Anne McWillie, was a cousin of George the diarist, who can also be found in our family tree.

Sources: The Aberdeen Morning Herald, 13 Aug 1873, Ann Marr No. 4399