10 January 1935

SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S COMIC OPERA SHIP 

Customs Official Carried Off When He Attempts To Seize The Vessel

At least one chapter of South Australian history could easily be made the basis of a comic opera. This is the story of the Ville de Bordeaux— a ship with two captains, who took the place of the former one, who, after selling the ship, left for India with the proceeds and an actress to set up there as a count. 

The Ville de Bordeaux, which had been built in 1836 as a man-of-war for the Brazilan Navy, and was considered "one of the finest vessels in the French merchant service," anchored off Holdfast Bay on January 30, 1841, ostensibly to load sheep for Bourbon. 

Rumors about the ship and its sale in Sydney were circulated, and it was believed in official circles that the purpose of the vessel here was to defeat the Navigation Acts, which prevented a foreign ship trading between British ports. 

The vessel, while at sea, was in charge of Captain Symers, a man of doubtful repute; but according to the log, Captain Biron was in command. An influential passenger named Campbell, however, seemed to have more to say regarding the working of the ship than either of the captains. Moreover, a section of the crew was inclined to be mutinous, and sent a letter to the Collector of Customs at Port Adelaide (Mr. Torrens), which served to increase the already strong suspicions about the ship. 

On February 4, Biron struck a sea-man named Lloyd, placed him and his friends in irons, and fed them on bread and water. Further trouble came after Biron had taken on board the Ville de Bordeaux a man who had just escaped from gaol, but who was recaptured on board. 

Such suspicious rumors were now associated with the vessel that, in face of strong opposition from Biron, it was searched by Customs officials. When Biron remarked that the vessel was owned by his father, after he had said that it belonged to his sister's husband, Torrens's suspicious were fully aroused, and on the following day he swore-in the crew, which was English, in the name of the Queen, and, having written authority from Governor Gawler, decided to hold the vessel at Port Adelaide pending further examination. 

To take the vessel from Holdfast Bay to Port Adelaide, the mate, Charlton, who was acting in the absence of Symers and Biron, demanded a pilot, but Mr. John Anthony, an officer in the Customs Department, and an assistant, despite loud protests from Charlton, took charge. 

Campbell and others went ashore, and Symers came on board to take charge. Customs officials were amazed to find that the vessel was being put out to sea, down the Gulf. Torrens summoned Commissioner of Police Tolmer at once, but by the time he arrived from Adelaide, the vessel was seven miles from the shore. 

"She is French and is sailing under false papers. She has broken the Customs regulations and has sailed away with one of my officers," complained Torrens. 

A whale boat was launched, but after half-an-hour's feverish rowing, it had gone only a quarter of a mile. Finding such pursuit useless, the boat was put back and Tolmer and Torrens made a short cut through the Reedbeds from Glenelg to Port Adelaide to engage the steamer Courier, so that the Ville de Bordeaux could be chased. 

By three o'clock the two arrived at Port Adelaide covered with black mire from the Reedbeds, and under Captain Lipson, the harbormaster, the vessel was prepared for the chase. Shingles and coal were hurriedly taken on board. 

There were casualties, however. In the haste of preparing for the voyage, a keg of brandy was broken open. Ladles and dippers had to be used to transfer what remained of the liquor to a new keg but, in doing so, everyone of a number of very eager assistants became drunk from various sly nips. 

At first the Courier's paddle revolved "regularly and satisfactorily," but the steamer had not gone many yards before she stopped, amid "roars of laughter from a crowd from afternoon church." Policemen who sat on the paddle boxes moved the paddle round with their feet, but after the engines had driven the Courier a few yards, she stopped again. More cheers came from the shore, "interspersed with taunts and biting jests." 

It was found, once the vessel had left the Port River, that several muskets which had been thrown into the Courier in the event of the French-man making any resistance, were useless. Someone had forgotten to provide flints for them. 

After some cruising, the Courier made across the gulf for firewood, and shortly after had to put back to Glenelg for more fuel. On her arrival, a large crowd was not slow to tell those on board that the Ville de Bordeaux had put into Port Adelaide, and was being held by Customs officials there.  

On the Courier's arrival at Port Adelaide, a derisive crowd greeted the crew as "Lipson's horse marines," and with their bright uniforms blackened with coal dust, the appearance of the pursuers was anything but impressive. 

The "Register" attacked the expedition without mercy. Referring to a projected visit of a French warship its leading article said: — 

"The steamer ought to be kept in readiness to take the Frenchman. We believe that there are still some shingles and tobacco pipes remaining from the last expedition. Flints for the muskets ought not again to be forgotten. Prudence and forethought are essential, so, if the French man-of-war really approaches the harbor, it should be borne in mind that there is a depth of water for the steamer only in the mud flats behind Torrens Island." 

How the Ville de Bordeaux came to be in port when the Courier returned is a story in itself. When the vessel put out to sea the mutinous section of the crew refused to work her, and forced Symers to bring the vessel back to Port Adelaide under Anthony's orders. Adelaide merchants, acting on business principles, resented the holding of the Ville de Bordeaux as a challenge to their shipping rights. 

A public meeting was called, and Torrens, regarding this as an insult to his professional zeal, wrote to Messrs. Whitington, at whose instigation the meeting was held, explaining that he understood his duty "both in theory and in practice." The "Register" used this phrase with deadly effect. 

In June Torrens claimed that the ship, having been seized and not having been claimed within a month, was forfeit to the Crown, but judgment was given for the owners of the vessel. An appeal was prepared by the Advocate General (Mr. Smillie), but the judge refused to hear it. 

The "Register" was jubilant. "The total smash thus given to the Collector's practical and theoretical knowledge of his duty," it said, "and the really melancholy exhibition of downright incapacity on the part of his legal adviser and abettor, dispose us for the present to refrain from administering any additional corrective to these foolish and ignorant young persons, believing that the public breeching they have just undergone may be sufficient at least for one week." 

The crew, which had been dismissed in April, was almost destitute by November, when the trial on the original charge of a breach of the Navigation Acts came before the court. It was proved that the vessel, not being a registered British ship, had traded between two British ports, and was therefore forfeit to the Crown. 

It was found, too, that the original captain had sold the ship illegally in Sydney, and had run away to India with the proceeds, taking an actress with him. There he had posed as a count until his funds ran out.  The mysterious Campbell committed suicide. 

With the success of the prosecution "The South Australian" entered the controversy with as much vehemence as the "Register" had supported the Frenchman. The prosecution had triumphed, it said in a leading article, "In spite of all the misdeeds concocted by the native virulence and long-fostered venom of a hyper-hypocritical bawler who made it his boast that he could direct public opinion on the subject through a corrupt and prostitute press."

In March, 1842, a French corvette, L'Herine, under Captain L'Eveque, arrived with instructions to press the claims of M. Joubert, who had bought the vessel in Sydney. L'Eveque was biased and dealt with local officials in a most high-handed manner. He left for France at the end of the month without having gained anything. 

Soon after this, Biron turned King's evidence, and the illegality of the sale of the vessel in Sydney was proved. A letter told how the vessel was forced to come to Australia after her proposed trade agreement with China had fallen through. The original captain, named Parnelle, had been discharged by the crew, and a "French lad, Biron," put in his stead. Symers, however, had taken charge. The British Government stated that the vessel must be returned to its owners, conveniently omitting to say who they were. 

Torrens was admonished for his conduct in seizing the vessel. A French law suit in 1848 decided that Auguste Davide was the owner of the ship, and in 1852 the British Government paid him £4,000 compensation. After having been maintained in Port Adelaide for four years at the Government's expense, the hull of the Ville de Bordeaux was sold for £250, and this sum was paid to the British Government as compensation for the £4,000 it had paid the owners in Bordeaux. 

As the "Billy Bordeaux," the vessel was well known at Port Adelaide as a store hulk for a number of years, until she was broken up. Few ships, surely, have had such a laughable history as this French-Brazilian man-of-war.— C.V.H.

The Major's Refresher

During the war Hugh Wray— a member of the censor's staff— was the decoder of cablegrams for both the Western and Northern cable companies, whose offices were separated by about one hundred yards. Entering the office of the latter company between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., after an extremely hot day, he found the censor, Major Harris, in a very unhappy mood. The Major was a typical ex-Indian Army- officer, with the customary florid face, white moustache, and the usual thirst. His grief was genuine, for had not the authorities brought in an early closing Act, and was it not in operation for the first time on this, the hottest day of the year? 

At closing tune (6 p.m.) he was always busy, and so could not get out. Therefore, could Wray help him out of his difficulty he asked. Wray was an inveterate practical joker, and, seeing an opportunity for a joke, told him that by giving three long and three short whistles just out side the door of a nearby hotel he would be able to obtain what he wanted. Wray also said that he would mind the office till he returned. 

The Major thanked him profusely, and up the street he hurried, with Wray following at a discreet distance to see the fun. The Major stood by the door and gave the necessary signal, but without success. Again and again he repeated it until his little red face assumed a purple hue. Back to the office fled Wray to await his return. In a few minutes in came a pathetic little figure. 'Ha ha,' said Wray, 'a different being now, with the inner man refreshed, eh?' 'Indeed no,' responded the Major, 'I gave your signal, but no one came to the door.' 'Which door did you go to?' asked Wray. The Major explained. 'Oh,' said Wray, 'you went to the wrong one; try the other one, in Queen street. That is the one I meant.' 

Up again went the Major, full of hope, but after many fruitless efforts he had to retrace his steps, more thirsty than ever, heated to a degree, and very much out of breath. Wray, seeing him returning, rushed down to the other cable office, gave him time to get in, and then rang him on the 'phone. 'The Chief Censor speaking,' he roared, 'and as I have been unable to raise you for twenty minutes, I'd like to know where you have been, and why you have left your post.' Poor Harris spluttered and stammered. 'You had better come straight up to the G.P.O. and report,' thundered the voice. 

Round to the G.P.O. hurried the Major, and entered the chief's office, full of apprehension. 'What are you doing here, when you should be on duty?' asked the chief censor. 'I came because you sent for me,' replied the Major, meekly. 'I never sent for you,' the other replied. Then, realising that the Major was the victim of a practical joke, he added, 'What time does that damn Wray come on duty?'— 'Corstep.'