2-798-947 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Ship "Tory", in the West India Docks, 1845. Sailing ship on the River Thames in London. Murders were allegedly committed on board by the captain: 'George Johnstone, late master of the ship Tory, from Hong-Kong, was brought before Mr. Broderip, at the Thames Police-court, charged with the wilful murder of Thomas Reason, a seaman, on the high seas, within the jurisdiction of the Admiralty of England...Some of the prisoners, in describing the appalling scenes of bloodshed on board, and the savageness of the captain after passing the island of Ascension, said that Reason was one of those who had fallen a victim to the ferocity of the captain, and that he cut him in a brutal manner with a sword about the head and body'. From "Illustrated London News", 1845, Vol VII.