Letter from Ewan McCausland to Mary McCausland
Private correspondence, dated March 17, 1913
Dearest Mary,
I write this in some distress. The Captain grows more obstinate by the day, and I fear his judgment compromised by drink and Company pressures. Today he dismissed my concerns about the northerly route with barely a glance at my charts.
The cargo manifest shows irregularities I dare not speak of openly - weights that do not match the documentation, bills of lading with suspicious alterations. When I raised these matters, Hume threatened to have me put ashore at the next port.
I have secreted copies of the true manifest in my personal effects, should anything befall us. The Company's interests seem to supersede all maritime law and common sense.
If this letter reaches you and I do not, look to the Beacon's morgue files - they will not print what threatens the Humes.
Your devoted husband, Ewan
P.S. - Young Timmons has proven trustworthy. He sees what I see.