DOCKSIDE CROOKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 June 1930, Page 3

DOCKSIDE CROOKS

HUGE PILFERING LOSSES.

If the railways suffer terribly from organised pilferers, the plight of the companies controlling quays and dock stores is no better, and perhaps worse, writes a Port of London official.

Despite precautions in the shape of dock constables and wharf detectives, tho losses are enormous. At the London docks alone it is computed that two to three million pounds worth of goods a year are pilfered. There are very many bands of these thiefs and usually the master mind is not only in the background, but would never be suspected of “receiving.” The camouflage adopted is usually one of those dim maritime stores that transact business with all sorts and conditions of sailors and those connected with ships. The front shop is innocent enough to stand the inspection of the most lynx-eyed detective, while usually there are one or two genuine customers dropping in for supplies for their dunnage chests. A capacious cellar and an ostensible garage at the rear proves usually the “dump” where stolen property is housed.

Thieves, pure but certainly not simple, come with their loot and receive the price in cash, and depart to g-.t happily drunk. Inndeed, the unra, elling of this class of crime usually begins in the small dockside drinking den. More than one detective of renown has emulated the famous exploits of the late Inspector Munro, of the Yard universally known as “Sailor,” who was deputed by the London Port authorities to clear up the thieving evil. His method was to disguise himself as a sailor just ashore, very drunk, and with plenty of money. He carried his life in his hands, and on two occasions was hurled into a slimy creek by infuriated. “pals” because he would not drink enough. His discoveries proved there was collusion inside the docks with organised bands of robbers who cared not what they stole so long as it was easily converted into cash. Vio’ent assaults on watchmen and special guards appointed to protect valuables became at last almost a commonplace. It was not until Inspectoi Munro ran “Scotch” Murchinson to earth that the ringleader was removed. He was tried for a grave series of thefts and “receiving,” and sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. Three of his subordinates went to prison with him. „ , But not even the example of such a punishment can eradicate this evil. The dock “rats,” slinking, cunning men of dubious nationality, hide among the huge stretches of warehouses and bonded stores. When darkness falls, dodging the patrol, they get to work, boring their way through wooden walls, or carrying out expert workmanship in forcing massive locks. It often happens that the loot is purchased by a dishonest skipper, who thus loads his craft with a choice assortment of merchandise and attractive articles. The transference of the stuff is simple enough, while it is easily hidden away beneath a proper cargo. Tho ship then slips out of port, and later the dock superintendent reports “another robbery.” _ Considerable cunning and application are displayed in the looting of bonded stores. There have been instances where a suspected ship has been searched with special care, while the skipper has stood by with pensive look. Reported “clean” the vessel has cleared the port. But the dummy funnel was filled to the top with hundreds of cases of finest whisky. _ . . Behind this “business” lies a sinister background of violence and even murder. Zealous watchmen who do their duty thoroughly have known what it is to live a life of terrorism. Sometimes bodies have -been found floating in some dreary creek or stuck in the mud of a half-forgotten creek when the tide is low. Au examination of the body has repealed terrible skull wounds. In other words, some of the “rats” have found their prey and repeated, whisperingly, the old, old saying, “Dead men tell no tales.”

A THAMES MYSTERY. Doubtless some readers will recollect a mystery of the. River Thames that 'was never cleared up. In 1913 the body of a man who had acted as a watchman for one of the stores at the London pool was found in th© river after being reported missing for several days. On the night he vanished his warehouse, where he was on duty, was broken open and £6OO worth of valuables removed^When found the man’s head was smashed in and his face terribly disfigured, while the medical evidence suggested heavy boots had inflicted the awful wounds pn his chest. There could be no question he had heen surprised by the crooks, overpowered, and being a man and a good fighter, had probably resisted. Hence ho was murdered and thrown into the river. There have'been many river mysteries connected with the stretch of Thames where the wharves and docks are. Sometimes the body of a seaman is found, or it may be some individual connected with the docks. There are not only cosmopolitan sailors, engineers, stokers, lascars ,etc., but mystery men connected with the handling of dope, the movements of ships engaged in gun-running, and the peddling of stolen goods.

In the vicinity of Limehouse, Wapping, etc., there are many half-forgot-ten and disused creeks upon the sides of which are found half dismantled sheds, once used as dock warehouses. Some of these are used as rallying points for the bands of dock thieves. Some time ago a sanguinary battle between the police and a coterie of desperate thieves occurred on the spot where stood Execution Dock. One man was killed, and a. policeman severely injured, but a number of arrests were made, and the gang broken up. .. , The site of the affray was called Execution Dock, as for many years convicted seamen, pirates ,etc., were invariably hanged there and left exhibited on a gibbet. Here Captain Kidd “offered ignominious death, while the pirate crew of The Flowery Land also was hanged there.