"Ship No. 95797 Name. W E Gladstone Letter & No. H72 Owner. J H Robins Skipper. J Craig / B Radge 2nd Hand. G Stead Bswn. W Harrison 3rd Hand. John Whelan 4th Hand. W Wilson

Official Log.

On February 24th Aberdeen, dinner time, steamed almost 2 hours when the mate George Stead came on deck and said something to the boatswain William Harrison the mate went below, the next thing I heard was a row in the cabin. I immeadiately rushed below & saw the mate strike the boatswain in the face. The boatswain returned the blow and they fought for some time. I had to go on deck to look after the vessel, the mate followed , soon after came to me saying "Bring the ship to Aberdeen at once". I said I would not he then replied if you do not I will jump overboard. The boatswain then said I will not work with this mate, the mate said he would not work with the boatswain, so seeing we could do nothing with these men I put the ship about & returned to Aberdeen, arriving in Aberdeen 6pm same night. The boatswain then left & I got another man in his room & thought the mate would be alright then, as he said he would sail if I removed the boatswain. We then proceeded to go to sea again same night and as we backed astern someone said, skipper the mate has jumped ashore I shouted out to him ( it being dark then ) are not you going George? He replied no. We could not do anything further that night so decided to stop in Aberdeen another tide, but it was the afternoon of the 25th before we got away. I had to ship 2 men at Aberdeen under the promise that I would give them usual Hull wages & pay fares back to Aberdeen if required.