The Sad Story of Captain McBeath

The Sad Story of Captain Henry McBeath

Harry Crukeshanks McBeath, later known as Henry, was born on 19^th February, 1824, in Stromness on the Orkney Island of Mainland, an island given the lesser known name of Pomona on his Mate’s Certificate. He was baptised in Stromness on 24^th of February, 1824. His parents James McBeath and Margaret Knarston were also Orcadians who married on the island of Hoy in 1820.

Harry had a younger brother James Burns McBeath who was born in Stromness in 1826. At some point, both men found themselves in Hartlepool. Harry applied for, and was awarded his Mate’s Certificate on the 10^th January, 1851, his claim form showing that he had been a mariner for 10 years beginning as an apprentice on a Whitby ship named Sisters from 1841 to 1845, then as an able seaman and finally as a mate on the same ship. He also served as an able seaman on various ships from the ports of Stockton, Sunderland, London and again Whitby. His certificate of service dated December 1850 gives his address as Commercial Street, Hartlepool.

In 1850, Harry married Mary Ann Granger who had been born in Robin Hood’s Bay. The marriage index gives the place of marriage as Stockton, but it is likely that it was Hartlepool which at the time was in the district of Stockton: a number of Hartlepool entries at the time are given as Stockton. Mary Ann Granger was, at the time of marriage, living in Hartlepool, having been brought to the town from Robin Hood’s Bay by her mariner father Phatuel Granger and his wife Sarah.

By 1851, Harry and his new wife Mary Ann were living in the California area of Throston, Hartlepool with Harry’s brother James also living with them. In 1853, the couple had a son Granger who died as a baby.

In 1861, Mary Ann was living at 95 Scarborough Street with three sons, Harry Crukeshanks (aged 6), John William, (4), and another Granger aged 2. Harry’s brother James was living in the house also and is listed as a Master Mariner. Harry himself was master of a vessel named Mayflower, which sailed out of Hartlepool in 1861 with five crew. He was awarded his Master’s Ticket on 11^th April, 1863, at Hartlepool, although his testimonial listing his ships showed he had been a master since 1861.

Mary Ann was still in Scarborough Street in 1871 with sons James (19), a ship’s joiner, Henry (Harry) 16, John William 14, Granger 12.  There had also been two further children Thomas, who was born and died in 1861, and Mary, their only girl, who was born in 1862 and died in 1868.

Tragedy struck on 15^th August, 1874. Many national newspapers at the time talk of two letters which detail a series of events and these seem to be best reported in the Northern Echo. Ainteek Boynvize, an officer on the screw steamer Victoria and Alexandra and acting captain as McBeath was unwell, contacted the offices of William Gray reporting that his captain and friend , Henry McBeath had been murdered by a crew member whilst the ship was in Barcelona.
[It has not been possible to trace a vessel named Victoria and Alexander; other reports give the name as the Victoria, of Alexandria, but as ‘Victoria’ was an extremely popular name, it has not yet been possible to identify the exact vessel).

The letter said that when the ship had arrived in Barcelona, the murderer had deserted ship but had then returned and demanded wages and also wished to resume work. As this man, unnamed and apparently Greek, had deserted a number of times, Captain McBeath had refused his request. He left but returned at midnight, stole into the captain’s cabin, woke him and demanded the same again. When McBeath refused once more, the Greek took out a knife and stabbed him in four places, mortally wounding him. He then escaped and at the time of the reports had not been found by Spanish authorities. McBeath was described as a much respected captain and father of five children.

Henry McBeath’s will was proved on 17^th February 1875.

In 1881 his widow was living at West Meadows, Greatham, near Hartlepool with her brother-in-law James (who never married), sons John and Granger who by then were apothecary chemists, and Samuel who was still a scholar and given as lame from childhood. By 1891 and 1901 they were at Rose Villa, Greatham, with James McBeath now listed as a retired Master Mariner and Mary Ann who was ‘living on her means’.

James McBeath died in 1902 and in 1911 Mary Ann had moved to Newton Bewley with son Samuel. Again they had ‘private means’, suggesting Harry McBeath had provided for them in his will.

Mary Ann died in June 1926 at the grand age of 93 years, having lost her husband 52 years previously. She had also brought up five children and lost three.

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