This is a short extract from Captain John Wilson's memories
When we had loaded and were getting ready for sea, Captain Brodie thought it was about time he was getting his crew together, and as he knew some of his old hands were still in the place, chose his time, and taking police with him, went to the Shipping Office. There was a bunch of men there. He said "I want to sign on a crew, and (he was a strong man, with very long arms) I'll take these five first," and cornered five of the deserters at once.
They were handcuffed and brought on board, and the rest of the compliment was duly made up; but the five refused to turn to. He moved down to Torant. Tom O'Leary came off in his boat and shouted to them: "Jump overboard, I'll pick you up," but the officers quelled them with their pistols. A Dutchman was dropping over the stern, but the pilot got him. We got the anchor up, and started, but the five still refused to work, though the Captain told them that if they would not turn to he would give them clothes out of the slop-chest and pay them what was due to them for the passage out, and which they forfeited by their desertion.
Captain Brodie then had them lashed to the foremost bunks in the eyes of the forecastle (giving the rest of the crew quarters in the forecabin) and taking the plugs out of the hause-holes, sailed the ship close to the wind. This turned the forecastle into a veritable roaring funnel, and gave them such a drenching that they soon had enough, and gave in.
