Francis Spaight

Francis Spaight was a transport ship in the 19th century, owned by an Irish merchant from Limerick, Ireland.[1] The ship was engaged in trade with North America, such as transporting Irish immigrants to North America and transporting timber on the return trip. Francis Spaight became known for its unfortunate account of cannibalism when the ship was righted and sank off the coast of Canada on December 3, 1836 due to a snow storm. Of the 18 crewmen, three were thrown oversea during the snow storm and 15 crewmen survived, including four young crewmen in their teens.[2]

Only with some rain water and bottles of wine, the crewmen endured severe cold, dehydration and hunger until December 18, when the captain suggested they sacrifice one of the four young crewmen to survive.[3] The captain justified exclusion of other older crewmen to the fact that they had families depending on them. The four boys cast lots and Patrick O'Brien, a fifteen year old cabin boy, drew the death lot. Captain ordered the cook to kill Patrick O'Brien, who at first refused but was later forced to do so by the captain.[4] However, the cook failed in killing Patrick O'Brien. Patrick O'Brien himself attempted to kill himself by cutting his wrist, but his attempt also failed. In the end, the captain resorted to cutting Patrick O'Brien's throat, at which point Patrick O'Brien resisted but was killed. The surviving crewmen cannibalized on Patrick O'Brien on in the course of three days until the 20th, when one adult crewmen, Michael Behane, and another cabin boy, George Burns became deranged from dehydration and hunger.[5] They were also cannibalized, in addition to another crewmen who died on the same day.

When the surviving crewmen were about to draw another lot for cannibalism, they were spotted by the American vessel Agenoria.[6] The crewmen were waving hands and feet of cannibalized victims to express their plight. After being stranded for 20 days, 11 crewmen survived out of 18 crewmen. Three died due to the snow storm, and four were cannibalized. Aboard the Agenoria, the saved survivors were so emaciated and malnourished that they couldn't feed themselves without help.

References

  1. ↑ Simpson, A. W. B. (Fall 1981), "Cannibals at Common Law", Crosskey Lectures, p. 5, retrieved August 6, 2016
  2. ↑ Simpson, A. W. B. (1994). Cannibalism and the Common Law. The Hambledon Press. p. 130. ISBN 1 85285 200 3.
  3. ↑ "Death of a Cabin Boy" (PDF), The Old Limerick Journal, 9, p. 3, Winter 1981, retrieved August 6, 2016
  4. ↑ Simpson, A. W. B. (Fall 1981), "Cannibals at Common Law", Crosskey Lectures, p. 5, retrieved August 6, 2016
  5. ↑ Simpson, A. W. B. (1994). Cannibalism and the Common Law. The Hambledon Press. p. 132. ISBN 1 85285 200 3.
  6. ↑ Simpson, A. W. B. (1994). Cannibalism and the Common Law. The Hambledon Press. p. 132. ISBN 1 85285 200 3.
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