Publisher's Synopsis
Hains (1866-1953) was an American novelist specialising in sea stories who became better known for his role in the murder of William Annis. Hains had told his brother Peter that Peter's wife was having an affair with Annis. On the afternoon of 15 August 1908 he accompanied Peter to Annis's yacht club where the Ladies' Regatta was being held and in front of Annis's wife and sons Peter emptied a pistol magazine of eight shots into Annis as he completed a race, as Hains stood guard with his own pistol drawn. The ensuing trial was one of the most publicised of the early 20th century and though Hains was acquitted of manslaughter, his reputation was permanently tarnished and he later used the pseudonym Mayn Clew Garnett. Peter was convicted of manslaughter in 1909 but pardoned two years later. This seafaring novel was first published in 1906 and includes six full-page illustrations.
