S
Stuart Kelly
Member
Just wondering why there wasn't any mention on here of the Laurentic's famous intervention in a notorious 1910 murder case: the case of Dr Crippen.
The Laurentic played a part in the case when Dr Crippen, suspected of having murdered his wife, fled to Canada on the SS Montrose. Crippen's fate was sealed when the captain recognised him in his rather flimsy disguise and sent a wireless message to the police ashore. It was the first time wireless was used in the capture of a criminal.
On receiving this news, Chief Inspector Walter Dew, who was heading the inquiry, got on the Laurentic at Liverpool two days after the Montrose left Antwerp. The Laurentic being the ocean greyhound it was, got to the other side of the Atlantic before the Montrose and Crippen and his mistress were arrested when they landed at Montreal.
Had it not been for the availability of the Laurentic, Crippen would have likely disappeared into the wilderness of Canada. He was put on trial for murder in October 1910 and continued protesting his innocence despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The case has gone down as one where the evidence was so near conlusive that that the defence lawyer's job was practically futile.
More info from the Metropolitan Police:
http://www.met.police.uk/history/crippen.htm
The Laurentic played a part in the case when Dr Crippen, suspected of having murdered his wife, fled to Canada on the SS Montrose. Crippen's fate was sealed when the captain recognised him in his rather flimsy disguise and sent a wireless message to the police ashore. It was the first time wireless was used in the capture of a criminal.
On receiving this news, Chief Inspector Walter Dew, who was heading the inquiry, got on the Laurentic at Liverpool two days after the Montrose left Antwerp. The Laurentic being the ocean greyhound it was, got to the other side of the Atlantic before the Montrose and Crippen and his mistress were arrested when they landed at Montreal.
Had it not been for the availability of the Laurentic, Crippen would have likely disappeared into the wilderness of Canada. He was put on trial for murder in October 1910 and continued protesting his innocence despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The case has gone down as one where the evidence was so near conlusive that that the defence lawyer's job was practically futile.
More info from the Metropolitan Police:
http://www.met.police.uk/history/crippen.htm