The Stolen Boat Helm
Letter from a local boatman accused of appropriating a missing helm, and related correspondence, 1881 (D1323/T/1/29, 31; D1323/M/6-7)

Sandwell Iron & Axle Works, Smethwick, April 13th 1881
[To] Clerk of Local Board, Stafford
Dear Sir
We are informed you have on your Gravel Boat working between Tixall Lock & Stafford one of our Helms which we have lost since beginning of last year, we shall be glad to hear from you as to whether you will send us the helm or shall we get another & charge you with its cost.
Awaiting your reply
We are Dear Sir
Yours faithfully
Lones Vernon & Holden

[This letter was referred by the Town Clerk to Mr JB McCallum, the Borough Surveyor & Sanitary Superintendent, on 16th April. The letter of 21st referred to below may have been written by him, as it is not included in the Clerk’s out-letters.]

Sandwell Iron & Axle Works, Smethwick, April 22 1881
Sir
Yours of the 21st to hand. We have nothing to do how you bought your Boat. Our helm has been stolen from our boat and is in possession of your Corporation. We must ask you to return the same at once with all the Charges paid.
Yours truly
Lones Vernon & Holden

To Messrs Lones Vernon & Holden
23rd April 1881
Gentlemen
In this case there must be hardship somewhere owing to the wrong doings of someone. Can you give me any clue as to how your helm got attached to the boat which the Corporation bought or who took the helm which belongs to the boat & gave in exchange that you claim. Of course we know nothing of the history of the boat & bought it in good faith by public auction.
Yours truly
Matt. F Blakiston

Sandwell Iron & Axle Works, Smethwick, April 25 1881
Sir
Yours of the 23rd to hand. We cannot follow in detail in this matter. Your Corporation has got our helm, and must turn it up at once.
Yours truly
Lones Vernon & Holden

To Messrs Lones Vernon & Holden
26th April 1881
Gentlemen
I am much surprised at your letter. When it is quite clear that a wrong has been done it is usual for parties to assist each other in detecting it. I dispute any liability on the part of the Corporation to give up the helm except in substitution for the proper helm of the boat which is probably in your possession or under your control. I consider the position you take is most unbusinesslike and unfair and unless you are disposed to give the fullest information you can I shall leave you to take your own course.
Yours truly
Matt. F Blakiston, Town Clerk

Sandwell Iron & Axle Works, Smethwick, April 27 1881
Dear Sir Yours of 26th inst. Stolen Helm
As a matter of courtesy we are quite willing to give you all the information we possess regarding this matter but when you demand it as a right & threaten that you will not deliver it up till we have done so, and put yourself in a fighting attitude we very naturally pull ourselves together and assume the defensive.
When a horse is stolen the owner can take him whereever found and so with a helm. Your boat was bought without one & ours was taken from our boat lying alongside to steer yours home with, & we cannot understand you wish to join issue by withholding it under the circumstances.
Yours truly
Lones Vernon & Holden

[Mr McCallum must have contacted the boatman; there is no further correspondence from the Town Clerk]

Norton May 13 1881
To Mr McCallum
Dr Sir
in answer to yours i beg to say that the helm that was put into the boat at the time of the sale belonged to one of the other boats that had been on the dock which i explained to you at the time and as regards the helm that you have on your boat it was the only helm left on the dock i brought it away with the boat when i brought the boat away to be repaired i cannot explain any further i took to the tools and materials off the landlord that was on the dock
Yours Resp.ly
JH Harvey
Norton nr Cannock

Sandwell Iron & Axle Works, Smethwick, June 25 1881
We beg to remind you we are still without your reply respecting our stolen helm about which you promised to make more enquiries on our last & written us definitely. Only out of deference to you, as our Mr Bennett knows you, have we allowed it to remain open so long, in any other case we should have exercised our right of seizing it when discovered in the same way as a stolen horse & leaving its possessor to obtain his remedy from the party he obtained it.
LV&H