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Murder Aboard: The Herbert Fuller Tragedy and the Ordeal of Thomas Bram
From an author praised by the Wall Street Journal for his “eye for a good story” comes an account of the Herbert Fuller tragedy of 1896, a tragedy that occurred on the high seas and involved the senseless slaughter of three of the twelve souls on board. Stunned by this act of random violence, and in sure knowledge that one or more of their own was the murderer, the living turn the vessel to shore, 750 miles distant. In the nightmarish days and nights of suspense that follow, first one and then another of the remaining nine is seized by others as the culprit. Upon reaching port, however, all are under suspicion—until the man most likely to have committed the act is, for reasons having to do with race, exonerated and the man most likely to be innocent, prosecuted. At the center of this gripping and gruesome story is the first mate, Thomas Bram, whose subsequent murder trials became as widely followed by the press and public as was the famous trial of Lizzie Borden just a few years before. Unlike the Borden case, remembered today in books, movies, and children’s rhymes, the Bram case was almost lost to the collective memory. Fortunately, C. Michael Hiam, in the manner of Erik Larson, now brings it to life.
200 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 27, 2019
Murder Aboard: The Herbert Fuller Tragedy and the Ordeal of Thomas Bram
This book is a true murder tale that happened aboard a ship traveling across the high seas one dark night. The ship was named the Herbert Fuller, and it was hauling lumber out of Boston headed for Argentina. It was July 1896 and they’d been sailing nine nights when the murder happened. Three people were horribly butchered late one night, the captain Charles Nash, his wife Laura, and the second mate, August Blomberg.
Thomas Bram, the first mate was blamed for the murders by Charlie Brown, the man who’d been on the wheel steering the ship and claimed to have seen Bram striking the captain with an ax through a small window. They headed for the nearest major port to report the situation. The bodies were deteriorating quickly but were kept for evidence by placing them together in a small jolly boat which was then sealed with material and tar then towed at a distance behind the Herbert Fuller on a rope to try to avoid the worst of the smell. I found it very informative to read about how they handled such things back in those days.
They sailed quite a long ways to the port in Halifax, Nova Scotia to report the matter and that is where the inquest was held. I think this book would interest people who like true crime and history of this period, along with those who are into sailing ship stories. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author C. Michael Hiam, and the publisher for my fair review.
Full review on my BookZone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
This book is a true murder tale that happened aboard a ship traveling across the high seas one dark night. The ship was named the Herbert Fuller, and it was hauling lumber out of Boston headed for Argentina. It was July 1896 and they’d been sailing nine nights when the murder happened. Three people were horribly butchered late one night, the captain Charles Nash, his wife Laura, and the second mate, August Blomberg.
Thomas Bram, the first mate was blamed for the murders by Charlie Brown, the man who’d been on the wheel steering the ship and claimed to have seen Bram striking the captain with an ax through a small window. They headed for the nearest major port to report the situation. The bodies were deteriorating quickly but were kept for evidence by placing them together in a small jolly boat which was then sealed with material and tar then towed at a distance behind the Herbert Fuller on a rope to try to avoid the worst of the smell. I found it very informative to read about how they handled such things back in those days.
They sailed quite a long ways to the port in Halifax, Nova Scotia to report the matter and that is where the inquest was held. I think this book would interest people who like true crime and history of this period, along with those who are into sailing ship stories. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author C. Michael Hiam, and the publisher for my fair review.
Full review on my BookZone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
January 2, 2019
While this book started out great it became repetitive when describing the crime. The majority of the book read like a deposition and the author did not add anything to the personalities of the characters. These were real men but the writing made me feel like they were just words on paper. I finished the book because I truly wanted to find out what happened on the ship. The true crime was interesting but the author made the characters come out flat. I wanted to read this book because it was compared to Eric Larson, who's books are wonderful. Larson has a way of making history come alive and sadly Hiam was not able to do this.
December 24, 2022
Historical with twists that made me think author must’ve added them. Narrator is well paced, enjoyable, and clear. Clean (if real life shipboard slaughter can be). Keeps the reader engaged … would like to know what happened after the Captain left home…
April 30, 2022
I definitely could have gotten away with murder in 1896. Hear me out.
This book really details just how inept (and racist!) law enforcement was at the time. It is not a spoiler to say that by the time the ship pulls in there is a story the whole crew is sticking to and they will not deviate. Even though it is pretty clear the (literal) crazy person is not the main subject and even though the actual “facts” don’t make any sense.
Basically, in 1896, I would just need to convince 2 people that the violent felony I was sent to an insane asylum for has nothing to do with the triple murder that occurred. No sir.
It helps if you can find yourself a minority to pin it on. Or at least half a minority, maybe. Actually, we aren’t even sure the guy they pinned it on was a minority. He might just be good at getting a tan! Racism doesn’t need to make sense.
This book really details just how inept (and racist!) law enforcement was at the time. It is not a spoiler to say that by the time the ship pulls in there is a story the whole crew is sticking to and they will not deviate. Even though it is pretty clear the (literal) crazy person is not the main subject and even though the actual “facts” don’t make any sense.
Basically, in 1896, I would just need to convince 2 people that the violent felony I was sent to an insane asylum for has nothing to do with the triple murder that occurred. No sir.
It helps if you can find yourself a minority to pin it on. Or at least half a minority, maybe. Actually, we aren’t even sure the guy they pinned it on was a minority. He might just be good at getting a tan! Racism doesn’t need to make sense.
August 23, 2023
On 3 July 1896, the Herbert Fuller left Boston. Ten days later, the captain, his wife, and the second mate were dead. Murdered with an ax while they slept. Surrounded by ocean, that meant someone on board had done the horrendous deed and any one of the survivors could be next.
There was no inkling of anything out of the ordinary before that fateful night. The barkentine carried a cargo of white pine bound for South America on a journey that should have taken about two months. There were twelve people aboard the ship, including Lester Hawthorne Monks, a student at Harvard University. That night, before going to sleep, he read a story of mutiny and murder by William Clark Russell. Sometime after he retired, he was awakened by a scream. When he went to investigate, he found Captain Charles Nash dead. Later, he and the steward also found the bodies of Laura Nash and August Blomberg.
Soon after, the remaining nine men aboard decided to preserve the bodies and some of the evidence and to sail for Halifax, Nova Scotia, which they deemed the closest port where they could report the murders. They also tried to determine who did the deed. The most likely suspect was Charley Brown, a Swedish sailor who acted suspiciously. But perhaps Thomas Bram, the first mate, was the murderer. Or maybe the two acted together. Whatever the truth, surely the authorities in Halifax would find the answer. If not them, the Americans would since the victims were American, the Herbert Fuller was American, and she had departed from an American port.
What ensues, however, is an account of questionable justice rife with lies, exaggerations, racism, and manipulation. No one, not even the passenger Monks, the victims, the sailors, or even the attorney who prosecuted the case, were above reproach. Only one victim supposedly got justice, because errors made by the grand jury meant the defendant could be tried for only one murder. Black-and-white pictures and diagrams, some submitted as evidence, are included, as is a bibliography and index.
Hiam provides an insightful and riveting account of the days before, during, and after the murders were committed. He shows how even some of the participants and those who followed the proceedings questioned the findings and the verdicts. It is also a compelling commentary on society and the legal system in the final years of the 19th century.
(This review originally appeared at Pirates & Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Hiam.html)
There was no inkling of anything out of the ordinary before that fateful night. The barkentine carried a cargo of white pine bound for South America on a journey that should have taken about two months. There were twelve people aboard the ship, including Lester Hawthorne Monks, a student at Harvard University. That night, before going to sleep, he read a story of mutiny and murder by William Clark Russell. Sometime after he retired, he was awakened by a scream. When he went to investigate, he found Captain Charles Nash dead. Later, he and the steward also found the bodies of Laura Nash and August Blomberg.
Soon after, the remaining nine men aboard decided to preserve the bodies and some of the evidence and to sail for Halifax, Nova Scotia, which they deemed the closest port where they could report the murders. They also tried to determine who did the deed. The most likely suspect was Charley Brown, a Swedish sailor who acted suspiciously. But perhaps Thomas Bram, the first mate, was the murderer. Or maybe the two acted together. Whatever the truth, surely the authorities in Halifax would find the answer. If not them, the Americans would since the victims were American, the Herbert Fuller was American, and she had departed from an American port.
What ensues, however, is an account of questionable justice rife with lies, exaggerations, racism, and manipulation. No one, not even the passenger Monks, the victims, the sailors, or even the attorney who prosecuted the case, were above reproach. Only one victim supposedly got justice, because errors made by the grand jury meant the defendant could be tried for only one murder. Black-and-white pictures and diagrams, some submitted as evidence, are included, as is a bibliography and index.
Hiam provides an insightful and riveting account of the days before, during, and after the murders were committed. He shows how even some of the participants and those who followed the proceedings questioned the findings and the verdicts. It is also a compelling commentary on society and the legal system in the final years of the 19th century.
(This review originally appeared at Pirates & Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Hiam.html)
August 28, 2019
The title of the book was very catching and so was the brief description of it, but the book did drag a little and left many questions. It is understandable that there are missing and few records of crimes that happened in the 1800"s and this one did well with what it had, but you were still left with a feeling that it wasn't complete. The story it's self is very interesting that makes you truly wonder what happened on that ship. After reading the story I don't think they actual got it right. There had to be more to the murder than what is known. The book did drag in a couple of places and then the end felt like it was rushed. Over all it was a interesting read an maybe will start some readers to research this on their own.
November 2, 2021
A true-crime novel, Murder Aboard takes us to July of 1896 when 11 people board the Herbert Fuller from Boston and end in Halifax, Nova Scotia with only eight passengers. The three remaining have been hacked to death and lay in the jolly-boat attached to the ship.
Murdered were the captain, his wife and a second mate. It then takes us to one of the most sensational high-profile trials of the century when first mate Thomas Bram is accused of the murders.
Riveting and engrossing this is a must read!
Murdered were the captain, his wife and a second mate. It then takes us to one of the most sensational high-profile trials of the century when first mate Thomas Bram is accused of the murders.
Riveting and engrossing this is a must read!
September 6, 2024
I bought a copy of "Murder Aboard" by C. Michael Hiam from a Daedalus catalog; have just finished reading this excellently considered true crime story from the "high seas" in the late 1890s. Hiam does some conscientious follow-up on some of the characters, including Thomas Bram and the man Hiam is convinced is the actual bloody murderer, "Charlie Brown". Wow. Keeps the reader's interest all the way through. Apparently, justice miscarried, not only in the courtroom, but also in the investigative process ... why wasn't the case thrown out after the ruling on issues by the Supreme Court?
November 23, 2023
It is a great resource for Lovecraft or Poe type on board ship. Lots of references that would fit in to their stories. Also interesting because it was a sail boat in 1896. When they were on the way out I would imagine. The actual story is ok, probably a little long for how uneventful it is.
December 19, 2024
This book reminded me of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None.
Great cozy mystery. Secluded place that those onboard cannot escape. The murders were more brutal than those of most cozies, but there are 12 possible victims, or do we call them suspects?
200 pages.
Great cozy mystery. Secluded place that those onboard cannot escape. The murders were more brutal than those of most cozies, but there are 12 possible victims, or do we call them suspects?
200 pages.
December 25, 2019
An interesting dive (haha) into a story about mutiny on the seas. It was well researched, definitely, but a bit repetitive at times. Makes you wonder how many other stories are like this that haven't been brought to the forefront.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review, but all opinions are my own.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review, but all opinions are my own.
February 4, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It is a mystery/action/court room procedural that thoroughly drew me in. The attention to detail was much appreciated and I was thrilled from beginning to end. I did feel that the authors language at times was a bit flowery but that overall telling of the story and the provided pictures were very enjoyable.
April 13, 2019
A true crime that happened in 1896. Murder at sea with only one questionable witness and horrific details is brought to life through the author's extensive research and capable writing. As he takes us through the days before and after the crime, it's easy for the reader to "see" the story unfold. A great book for both true crime and maritime law readers.
April 20, 2019
Murder Aboard is author Michael Hiam's well-researched account of the "unsolved" Herbert Fuller triple murder at sea and the subsequent trial of the main suspect, Thomas Bram. This was an occurrence that I had never personally heard of, so I was interested to read about this seemingly lost part of history. (It doesn't even appear to have a wikipedia entry.)
The book starts out well enough, insofar as Hiam details the main players and time period well enough and then sets about detailing the first few days at sea leading up to the crime. The crime itself is told from the eyes of a young passenger on board, and you immediately begin questioning the veracity of his account, as well as the subsequent accounts given by some of the other crew members. It felt to me almost like a macabre version of Clue at sea.
While the beginning 30% of the book drew me in, the remaining 70% of the narrative consists almost entirely of court transcripts of Thomas Bram's trial. Here it gets a bit repetitive, with the main players brought in for repeated testimony that varies only slightly. While Hiam's inferences about the racial aspects of the trial and time period are admirable, I found myself tempted to skim through some of the sections here as I lost some of my prior investment. I never stopped wanting to find out the guilty party however, so I saw it through.
I will say that, while I respect Hiam's obvious research into this subject, I wasn't entirely convinced at his conclusion to the real killer. It seemed to me that it could have still logically been any one of a few people, and I didn't see enough evidence to convince me it was any one person 100%.
This is a worthy book for anyone interested in obscure seafaring history and true crime.
***I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Rowman & Littlefield.***
The book starts out well enough, insofar as Hiam details the main players and time period well enough and then sets about detailing the first few days at sea leading up to the crime. The crime itself is told from the eyes of a young passenger on board, and you immediately begin questioning the veracity of his account, as well as the subsequent accounts given by some of the other crew members. It felt to me almost like a macabre version of Clue at sea.
While the beginning 30% of the book drew me in, the remaining 70% of the narrative consists almost entirely of court transcripts of Thomas Bram's trial. Here it gets a bit repetitive, with the main players brought in for repeated testimony that varies only slightly. While Hiam's inferences about the racial aspects of the trial and time period are admirable, I found myself tempted to skim through some of the sections here as I lost some of my prior investment. I never stopped wanting to find out the guilty party however, so I saw it through.
I will say that, while I respect Hiam's obvious research into this subject, I wasn't entirely convinced at his conclusion to the real killer. It seemed to me that it could have still logically been any one of a few people, and I didn't see enough evidence to convince me it was any one person 100%.
This is a worthy book for anyone interested in obscure seafaring history and true crime.
***I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Rowman & Littlefield.***
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews