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Story
December 6, 1854
Daily Davenport Gazette
Davenport, Scott County, Iowa
What is this article about?
In 1854, Captain Lynn of the schooner Savannah evades customs seizure in Ryerse by tricking an officer aboard, sailing to Buffalo while the officer escapes by train. Reported as a clever joke in the Daily Gazette.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
The Daily Gazette.
Davenport, December 6, 1854.
Evading Established Customs
Among our marine arrivals of Saturday, the following appears: Schooner Savannah,
Captain Lynn, Ryerse; one live Custom House Officer.
Lest some of our readers should wonder at this particular cargo, and fail to understand and appreciate the joke connected with it, we will state the particulars thereof.
The Savannah touched at Ryerse, which is many miles away, and sent ashore certain goods known to be contraband. The officer of Customs of that port, being apprised of the fact proceeded aboard for the purpose of seizing the vessel. The Captain, who as the result proves, was just the thing. Tipping the officer that he would go ashore and endeavor to settle the matter—to which proposition Mr. Inspector assented. As soon as Capt. Lynn had fairly gained the deck, the mate ordered the crew to haul in the lines, and in a trice the Savannah was putting off for Buffalo. The officer had no redress—he must either swim ashore or take a trip to America; and he was not long in concluding which horn of the dilemma to adopt. So he took a sail. The craft touched the dock, leaped ashore, used the propulsion of the Brantford cars, and has not been heard from. The captain arrived here the same day by land. Saying nothing of the injustice or propriety of this proceeding, it will pass for very good joke.—Buff. Express.
Davenport, December 6, 1854.
Evading Established Customs
Among our marine arrivals of Saturday, the following appears: Schooner Savannah,
Captain Lynn, Ryerse; one live Custom House Officer.
Lest some of our readers should wonder at this particular cargo, and fail to understand and appreciate the joke connected with it, we will state the particulars thereof.
The Savannah touched at Ryerse, which is many miles away, and sent ashore certain goods known to be contraband. The officer of Customs of that port, being apprised of the fact proceeded aboard for the purpose of seizing the vessel. The Captain, who as the result proves, was just the thing. Tipping the officer that he would go ashore and endeavor to settle the matter—to which proposition Mr. Inspector assented. As soon as Capt. Lynn had fairly gained the deck, the mate ordered the crew to haul in the lines, and in a trice the Savannah was putting off for Buffalo. The officer had no redress—he must either swim ashore or take a trip to America; and he was not long in concluding which horn of the dilemma to adopt. So he took a sail. The craft touched the dock, leaped ashore, used the propulsion of the Brantford cars, and has not been heard from. The captain arrived here the same day by land. Saying nothing of the injustice or propriety of this proceeding, it will pass for very good joke.—Buff. Express.
What sub-type of article is it?
Deception Fraud
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Deception
Crime Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Customs Evasion
Contraband Goods
Schooner Savannah
Captain Lynn
Ryerse Port
What entities or persons were involved?
Captain Lynn
Customs Officer
Mate
Where did it happen?
Ryerse To Buffalo
Story Details
Key Persons
Captain Lynn
Customs Officer
Mate
Location
Ryerse To Buffalo
Event Date
December 1854
Story Details
The schooner Savannah, under Captain Lynn, lands contraband goods at Ryerse. The customs officer boards to seize the vessel. Captain Lynn tricks the officer by pretending to settle the matter ashore, but the mate sails away to Buffalo, forcing the officer to sail along and then escape by train from Brantford.