BUILT FOR A SMUGGLER.

Evening Star, Issue 10399, 21 August 1897, Page 2

BUILT FOR A SMUGGLER.

The ship Phos, a vessel of 1,552 tons, built by Moller and Heiberg, at Stettin, in 1893, entered this port for the first time (says the Melbourne ‘Argus’) on the 27th ult., after an uneventful voyage from Hamburg, but its termination was destined to have sensational surroundings. Whether the vessel was the subject of more than the general interest which the Customs authorities bestow has not been disclosed. Certain information received or circumstances connected with the doings of those on board, at any rate, caused Inspector Christie to be particularly on the alert, and he effected a remarkable coup yesterday morning, when he paid a surprise visit to the captain, and demanded to have access to all portions of the vessel in the name of the Queen. He boldly declared his intention' of discovering uncustomed and unreported merchandise, and fulfilled his promise to such an extent as to completely take the master’s breath away, for, by the end of the day, there was the extraordinary development of the Customs officer superseding the nautical commander in the charge of the vessel. Such an unusual quantity of unreported merchandise of a highly dutiable character was discovered that the Secretary of Customs served notice on the captain that he had seized the ship Phos, and all goods illegally concealed thereon. The search conducted by Inspector Christie revealed the fact that special means had been adopted in the construction of the vessel to store away goods in all sorts of convenient and hidden receptacles in the vicinity of the captain’s quarters. The knowledge born of long experience in the devices of smugglers enabled these soon to be laid bare, and one “ find ” followed another in such quick succession that the aft part of the vessel became blocked with merchandise, consisting chiefly of spirits and cigars. Most of the “ spoil ” was removed to the Queen’s warehouse, there being six loads, representing an aggregate value of hundreds of pounds. The captain’s cabin was first inspected, and the keen observation of the inspector detected that a false bulkhead had been brought into requisition. On the removal of a panel, packages of revolvers and cartridges were brought to view, as well as boxes of shirts, handkerchiefs, etc. A capacious clothes-press was found to have a false bottom, fitted with cellar shelfs, packed with bottles of brandy, whisky, and schnapps. The cabin of the chief officer was searched, and a bulkhead was found holding in concealment two cases of spirits. Adjoining passengers’ cabins also had their bulkheads full of merchandise. An overhaul of the saloon yielded a substantial quota of uncustomed goods. Recesses in the walls showed a few packets of matches, but behind these theic were boxes of cigars as well as packets and

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canisters of cat tobacco. In an office &<£- '* joining the captain’s cabin a friendly mirror hung over the secret opening to a bulkhead crammed with spirits ana tobacco, and below a chest of drawers there was. a rich deposit cigars. Even the galley was made Use of for the purpose of wholesale concealment. The pea, rice, and sugar bins had economical layers of the cook’s legitimate stock-in-trade,- but below expensive strata of brandy,, whisky, and gin, sot to speak of tobacco. The potato bin in the lazaretto below was similarly made nse. of to conceal four cases of spirits. These aft compartments having been turned inside out, the deck cabin set apart for the purposes of a hospital was visited. On one side of it there was an innocent looking tank of generous capacity, which was said to contain water. Two lids were, however, unscrewed, and this was found chockful of dutiable goods of the character already alluded to.; It is a significant fact: that Captain Johnsen, who is a part owner of the vessel, superintended her construction.