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THE ARREST OF DR CRIPPEN

1 August 1910

I have just returned from the steamship Montrose and witnessed the drama that was enacted on her deck.

Inspector Dew, of Scotland Yard, with Chief Constable McCarthy and ex-Chief Constable Denis, of the Canadian Provincial Police – all three disguised as pilots with blue suits and white caps – went off to the Montrose at 8.30 a.m. in a lifeboat rowed by four sailors. “Dr.” Crippen was smoking and promenading the deck with Miss Le Neve and Dr. Stuart, the ship’s surgeon. He asked the doctor why so many pilots should come, to which Dr. Stuart replied – “They are probably returning to their homes, being out of turn.” The supposed pilots went on board and walked along until they passed the spot where Crippen and Miss Le Neve were standing with Dr. Stuart. Then as Inspector Dew got a good, quick look at Crippen and the girl, he gave the preconcerted signal, and the constables made the arrest and took the couple down to separate state-rooms, where they are now confined.

Only 15 minutes elapsed from the time the constables went on board until the arrests were effected. Crippen turned the colour of death, and his voice gurgled some unintelligible sound as he was hurried below. Miss Le Neve became hysterical and fainted.

The signal agreed upon was then blown by the Montrose’s whistle for the pilot steam tender Eureka to come alongside to permit the Press representatives and Press photographers to board the Montrose and proceed in her to Quebec, where she will arrive about 9 o’clock to-night. This had been arranged between Inspector Dew and the Press for fear that the appearance of a large number of people might alarm the fugitives and that Crippen might defeat the law by committing suicide. The Eureka stayed only a few minutes alongside the Montrose, and then returned to Father Point wharf with this despatch.

The discovery of human remains beneath the basement of the London home of the homeopath Dr Hawley Crippen triggered a manhunt that mesmerized newspaper readers in July 1910, even as the object of the search remained oblivious to the net closing on him.

Crippen’s wife Cora had vanished in January, but his explanations apparently satisfied the police. He panicked, however, and with his mistress Ethel Le Neve disguised as a boy took ship for Canada. The captain recognized the fugitive and, in a decisive use of new technology, transmitted a message by wireless telegraphy alerting the authorities in Britain.

His progress tracked by journalists, Chief Inspector Walter Dew boarded a faster liner and was waiting when Crippen’s ship entered the St Lawrence River. Crippen’s arrest seemed to signal that criminals could no longer flee beyond the reach of the police. He was brought back to London, tried at the Old Bailey and hanged for his wife’s murder.