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I tell our Grandson bedtime stories about this legendary smuggler. As you would expect he asks all about the gentleman and who he was and was asking for his surname, christian name, what was the name of his ship etc etc.
Does anyone know anything of this man, did he ply his trade elswhere in Orkney or farther afield? He was well known in "Waas and Brims".
I only know a few tales to tell our grandson and have long since just made up bedtime stories to settle the wee man .
I would like to know anything of this legendary man - can anyone help my quest?
Added by John Budge on 27 November 2011
The heading to the above letter has been omitted and should have informed the reader the smugglers name was "Askem" .
I thought the heading would be included, sorry John,.
Added by John Budge on 28 November 2011
From the report of a trial in January 1876 he was Captain William Askam and his ship at that time was the Julia (there are a few articles about this trial in newspapers on the brand new British Newspaper Archive site). Shipping News in the Orkney Herald Dec 1868 records the arrival of his ship the Admiral from Leith bound for North Faroe - this is the time of the incident recorded in John Bremner's book which I'm sure you know about. Orkney Archives seem to have his papers too "Captain William Askam: papers 1875-2004 (D1/935)" (entry on UK National Archives site), so potential for plenty of reading and stories there! Sounds like an interesting character.
Added by Jane Harris on 29 November 2011
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