Thanks Jeff, Makes you wonder whether he absconded and when,the Lady Bertha was not his first ship, it was easy to get a berth as a fireman, no previous experience needed just muscle. another odd case was William Westgate, Able Seaman born 1846 Newcastle, the Gladstone O.N. 66391 of Swansea [previous ship] Ibex of London. Signed on Swansea 11th May 1882 Left behind in Puerto Cabello Venezuela 29th Jul.1882. Left behind not for Desertion, Sickness, Death or Mutual Agreement but as the British Consul in Puerto Cabello Venezuela 29th July 1882 stated on the agreement " I hereby certify that the seaman William Westgate was left behind in this port, in my charge he being by his own confession the assassin of Lord Cavendish of Phoenix Park Dublin Ireland on the 6th of May last. In faith in which I hereunder set my hand and Offix the Seal of my Office ~ Rob Conn HBM Vice Consul. Waikato Times Newspaper ~ London 15th Dec ~ William Westgate who confesses to participation in the Phoenix Park Murders of last May has arrived at Plymouth from Jamiaca. He is, apparently, in an imbecile state of mind. It turns out at his trial he was onboard his previous ship at the time of the murder guess he was crazy. Rgds Bryan