AUSTRALIAN HISTORY

Evening Star, Issue 20373, 3 January 1930, Page 11

AUSTRALIAN HISTORY

AVOCA GOLD ROBBERY AN AUDACIOUS THEFT One of the most sensational episodes in the history of the Australian mercantile marine was the robbery of 5,000 sovereigns from the steamer Avoca, commonly referred to as the Avoca gold robbery. Although it occurred over half a century ago, the details of the audacious theft still make interesting reading, and serve to enable us to visualise things as they were in those far-off days (writes “C.S.” in the Melbourne ‘Age’). Built in 1866, the good ship Avoca was used in the Sydney-Melbourno service. At that time all mail steamers terminated at Melbourne ,WJliarastown, to bo correct), so that it was necessary to tranship passengers and mails to another vessel to enable them to reach Sydney. This was the part allotted to the Avoca, md nothing untoward happened until she left Sydney in July, 1877, with consignments of gold on board for transhipment to England. Arriving at Williamstown, the boxes which were supposed to contain gold were duly transhipped to tho mail steamer China without any indication of their having been tampered with. 6.000 SOVEREIGNS MISSING.

The China arrived at Gall© (Ceylon) on August 29. and it was then discovered that a box containing 5,000 sovereigns had been broken open and the contents abstracted. At the timeit was not possible to ascertain if the gold had been stolen from the China or Avoca. Naturally the news created a sensation, and extensive inquiries were instituted by the-police, but without success. The carpenter—Martin Weiberg—was, however, suspected and dismissed, as well as the chief officer for, neglect of duty. After dismissal. Weiberg married a barmaid, and with the proceeds of the robbery took up a selection of 120 acres of land on the banks of the Tarwin River. Meanwhile, the detectives had been quietly collecting evidence against him, and he was eventually arrested and brought to Melbourne. Over 200 sovereigns were found in his possession. Weiberg then made what ho professed to be a “ full confession,” in which he accused the chief officer of being the instigator and central figure in the affair. He also gave the startling information that _ he (Weiberg) had 1,700 more sovereigns concealed on tho hank of tho Tanvin, and, if taken to the spot, would disclose tho plant. This was readily agreed upon, a guard consisting of an inspector and two detectives accompanying him. It seems strange to relate that Weiberg was not handcuffed, neither were the police pistols in order. Whilst the inspector was engaged in dragging the river in a boat, the robber suddenly stunned one of the detectives (the other was temporarily absent) and made good his escape. FOUND AGAIN. The chief officer was afterwards arrested in England, but owing to lack of evidence the charge was dropped. Months later, after diligent search, the police again located Weiberg—this time on a desolate part of the coast and reat-rested him at pistol point. Again lie was brought to Melbourne and placed in the cells. The evidence disclosed that ho had bored holes in carpenters’ planes and filled them with sovereigns ■ ho also concealed part of

the loot in bars of soap. He was thus enabled to carry the plunder ashore without exciting suspicion. A plane that was discovered in his hut was found to contain 54 sovereigns. The police also seized 1,000 sovereigns which the robber had forwarded to some friends to charters small vessel to go to Gippsland with a cargo of provisions. This vessel —the Petrel was, however, nn seaworthy, and got only as far as the Heads, when the trip had to be abandoned. His sentence was five years’ imprisonment with hard labour. His wife was also arrested, and 50 sovereigns were found in her possession. When liberated, Weiberg went to South Gippsland (near Waratah Bay), where it was thought some of tho booty was hidden. Ho had sufficient money (1,000 sovereigns) to buy a yacht, and it was his intention to go to New Zealand. At that time his wife was employed at Waratah Bay, and, after leaving the Neva in charge of two of his brothers, camo in with the dinghy with the intention of inducing his wife and child to accompany him. This his wife refused to do, so Weiberg was obliged to depart without them. Two days later the remains of a boat, also a cap (presumably Weiberg’s) were found on thebeach, and it was believed the robber was drowned. A fortnight later the yacht was seen at anchor off ono of th© islands near the Promontory and brought to Melbourne. Apparently Weiberg had intercepted a Swedish sailing vessel and, as ship’s carpenter, worked his passage to Sweden, for he was seen there a few years later by a Melbourne resident who knew him well. \Veiborg was then carrying on an hotel business.