Incident on the HMS Serpent
Chapter 1
Journal entry of Richard Allard
-January 1894
I have done my best to provide all the information on the strange events that occurred between the dates of 24 October to 23 December of 1893. I am unable to put into words on how these events have damaged me mentally and physically. I merely am providing you what information I have. I cannot express to you on how much this event has pained me. I lost dear friends and loved ones due to the extreme nature of the days following the incident on the HMS Serpent. I have forsook my wife and child and I leave them to the mercy of the world. My wife would never understand why I had to leave. I know they will be just fine without me. I leave it to your judgement on whether you want to inform the world or burn everything that is here once you have finished with it. Good luck to you and I hope what you find here doesn't change you for the worse as it has done to me. The first of many pieces of information comes from a telegram sent to the Chicago Tribune on 24 October. The rest have been acquired through other means that I dare not repeat here. Just know that I harmed others only when necessary to gather all the possible evidence I could. Even though I am no longer troubled by this world's problems, my soul could not bear the repeat of these events. I know deep down that humanity will be better off without me. Good bye my dearest Olivia and my sweet Alice.
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Letter to the New York Herald Editor
-January 1984
My dear editor, I regret to inform you that this journal entry was the last one ever written by Richard Allard. He has made his choice and it lead to the taste of powder and flame. As the late Richard Allard suggested I have made a choice and it is not to burn this pile of papers, and instead I choose to make these events public. Do not concern yourself with who I am or why I chose to make these events public it is of little consequence. For the duration of my presentation of these events, you may simply call me Lamont. Knowing my true identity would only complicate matters and I am simply not in the mood to have any more complications. You can believe what you will of this but I can tell you that there is some truth to what he has here. I did my own investigation into the matter of the killings aboard the HMS Serpent and what I have found has been added to Allard's evidence. Every other scrap of evidence that was collected along with everybody's testimony in these chain of events have disappeared, aside from what is here in this book you might as well just assume none of this ever happened. I must have struck a nerve with someone. No matter those poor fools will learn the consequences of their actions. Before I begin I would like to add now would be the best time to leave if you do not want any future trouble to cross your path. Very well, let me begin by saying that I put everything together in proper sequence and added a few bits to help bring certain events together. To start us off we have his first piece of evidence. It is a telegraph to the Chicago Tribune Editor on the October 24th 1983.
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Telegraph to the Editor of the Chicago Tribune
24 October
Mr. Wentworth-
Made contact with our mutual friend in the Royal Navy -(stop)- He was very helpful in getting information on the ship -(stop)- I can give you only the name right now -(stop)- HMS Serpent –(stop)-
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Telegraph from the Editor of the Chicago Tribune
25 October
Aston-
Continue your investigation -(stop)- Pay contact whatever he wants –(stop)- Use phonograph to keep a proper record –(stop)- I want that story -(stop)-
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Phonograph Recording of Edward H. Aston
Phonograph Recording, 26 October 1893
Richards Bay port, South Africa
Daily report of Edward H. Aston
I have just spoken with my contact in the Royal Navy. He had information concerning the ship that just came into the harbor. It was the HMS Serpent. I will be providing all details as soon as I can collect more information for the article. He even managed to get me the piece of the log book that was found on the corpse of the HMS Serpent's captain. He was also clever enough to get an entire conversation recorded on the Colonel's phonograph. I will follow this recording with the piece from the ship's log. I have also included the conversation of Colonel Hawkins and Lieutenant Dobbs. I am just amazed at the skill of my informant. I might just ask him if he is willing to come back to America with me. I could use a good partner like him.
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HMS Serpent Log clipping
HMS Serpent 12 October
Latitude: unknown
Longitude: unknown
Departed Madras Port, India, winds SE over 70 knots. Hurricane struck out of nowhere, souls on board 73; Lost 15 so far due to the storm. This isn't the season for hurricanes and we continue to sustain damage to the ship. I don't know how much longer we can stay afloat. The ship's passengers are restless and they are losing faith in surviving the night. This will be the last log entry until the storm passes.
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Phonograph Recording of Colonel Hawkins and Lieutenant Dobbs
Phonograph Recording, 24 October 1893
Richards Bay port, South Africa
Recording of Col Hawkins and Lt. Dobbs; recorded without their knowledge
(Small bits of background noise is heard)
"Lieutenant Dobbs are you correct and saying this is the only portion of the log book that was legible?" asked Colonel Hawkins
"Indeed I am Sir. That was the only legible portion of the log. The rest of it was damaged by the salt water and blood from the ship's captain." replied Lieutenant Dobbs
"It says there was a storm with winds of 70 knots, there was ship damage, and the loss of 15 passengers. What do you make of that?" asked Colonel Hawkins
"It cannot be an accurate log, even if there was a storm, which I doubt due to no other reports from any of the ships that passed that way. We counted a total of 88 bodies. No one was lost at sea. All were accounted for, Sir. The captain must have been deranged. The ship showed no sign of damage from any storm. If I didn't know better I would say that ship looked as if it never sailed a day. Minus of course all the blood from the crew" replied the Lieutenant
(The sound of a desk drawer opening and closing can be heard. It is followed by the sound of glass banging on the desk and a liquid powering into two glasses. What can safely be assumed is that the Colonel is pouring himself and the Lieutenant a drink.)
"Lieutenant, best you drink up. I have a feeling this will be a long day. This one incident will be the end of our careers if we don't figure out what happened aboard that ship." said Colonel Hawkins.
-End of Recording
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Journal Entry for Widow Baxindale
-30 October
I am at a loss right now. My dearest husband has been found dead aboard his ship. I must remain strong for our children. I do not know how I can break the news to them. They are such gentle souls and I cannot think to bring such distress on them. My dearest Joseph why did you leave for that trip? You were only supposed to go to Pondicherry for stationary supplies to Port Royal. Who or what in our Lord's name could do that to you? Who could harm a respectable and loving man as yourself? I may never get over this, but know my darling I will find out how this happen if it takes all of our money. I will be sending the children to live with my sister. The trip to the Americas will be a long one, but they will be safer with their aunt Evangeline. Forgive me my husband, I know you would want me safe, but I cannot live until I know the reason for your death has been solved. I have sent a telegram to our friend Richard Allard at the New York Herald to assist me. Just know that I will always love and cherish our days together. I will be waiting for the day that we can be together again. Rest easy my loving Joseph.
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Telegraph to Richard Allard – New York City, NY
30 October
Richard-
Joseph has been killed -(stop)- I need your help -(stop)- Please come –(stop)-
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Telegraph to Olivia Baxindale – London, England
02 November
Olivia-
Boarded ship SS Lydian Monark -(stop)- Sorry about Joseph –(stop)- Be there in ten days –(stop)- Stay safe -(stop)-
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Journal entry of Richard Allen
-31 October
I received a telegram all the way from my dear friend Olivia Baxindale. I am amazed at how easily it is to receive messages all the way from London, England. The Industrial Revolution is in full swing and I am hoping that it will lead the world into a better tomorrow. It is unfortunate that this particular piece of tomorrow's future can carry bad news. It seems that my dear friend Joseph, Olivia's husband has died. It is also unfortunate that the telegram can carry only so many words at a time. I have no idea of the details of his death. I do pray that it was not harsh or painful.
-01 November
Today I sent my reply by telegram to Olivia. I will have to take the train to the ship yard. I will be then taking the S.S. Lydian Monark to London. The trip should only take ten days at the most and I do hope Olivia received my telegram. I would be troublesome if I was to make it to London and no one was there to meet me. I went back home and packed everything I would need. I completely forgot to mention any of this to editor. This whole thing has got my mind in whirlwind of confusion. So after I packed I went to my editor and told him of the situation. He wasn't too pleased about me leaving. When I told him the name of my friend he gave me the strangest look. He then told me that there was a report of an incident aboard the HMS Serpent on the night of the 24th of October. That just so happens to be the ship that Joseph was Captain of. It seems that my editor cares more for the competitiveness of Journalist. So to ease his mind I told him I will find out everything I can before any of the other newspapers. I don't see how, but I will make every effort I can. He wants me to send him updates through telegram. I told him that could be expensive and that they charge by the letter. He shook his hands at me and says that the newspaper will pay for the trip as well as the cost of the telegrams. I would just have to pay for my own lodgings and food. I agreed and gathered my things from my desk and went and got my tickets for the train and ship. The train doesn't leave until tomorrow morning and the boat will not leave until that afternoon. I will have plenty of time to get there. I just hope Olivia will not be upset that I will be working this whole trip.
-02 November
I finally made it aboard the S.S. Lydian Monark. The crowds today were terrible, and I do believe that I was mugged of my pocket watch. Those little children are devilishly quick with their hands and feet. My cabin on the ship is small but I will be traveling by myself the whole way. I have not seen the ocean in a long time and I hope that it agrees with me and my stomach. I am worried about Olivia. The description of the incident my editor gave was rather horrid. I do hope she will not be reckless. She has been known to be from time to time.
