| Description | Complaint from John Cormack, Shipmaster in Stonehaven alleges that Norbert Gowan, Shipmaster in Stonehaven and Peter Chapman, Mariner also of Stonehaven did "by the laws of this and every other well governed realm try breaking down, destroying and throwing into the sea gangway planks, spars, or other materials made fast from one ship to another in a harbour for the purpose of unloading vessels who are moored on the outside of another; thereby creating great loss and damage to the owners of such outside vessels by destroying and setting adrift the materials composing such gangways and also preventing them from unloading their cargoes, by which much time and expense is lost, more especially when such daring outrage is committed in open day by force in defiance of all laws and established regulations. yet true it is and of verity that the saids Robert Gowan and Peter Chapman complained upon, are guilty actors and a part of the foresaid crimes." It is also alleged that Gowan "did give orders to the said Peter Chapman acting as his mate on board of the Steep Industry of Stonehaven to out or inloose a gangway composed of spars and planks which had been laid between the Brigandine John Mary of Stonehaven." On the day of the incident both vessels were "fast aground in the harbour of Stonehaven." The destruction of the gangway resulted in Cormack being unable to unload his cargo of coals on board his ship. Cormack erected "said gangway in consequence of orders from the shoremaster whose province it is to give directions in these cases." Gowan and Chapman to be called to the courthouse by 7 o'clock that evening. |