A controlling interest in the China Mutual Steam Navigation Company, Limited, was purchased by, and the fleet of that company transferred to, the Holt Company on the 1st July, 1902, with which addition to the “Blue Funnel” fleet extended operations were undertaken. [Illustration: R. P. HOUSTON & CO.] [Illustration: ISLE of MAN STEAMPACKET CO.] [Illustration: W. S. KENNAUGH & CO.] [Illustration: LAMPORT & HOLT.] [Illustration: JAMES LITTLE & CO.] [Illustration: RICHARD HUGHES & CO.] [Illustration: WM. JOHNSTON & CO.] [Illustration: ALEX. A. LAIRD & CO.] [Illustration: M. LANGLANDS & SONS.] [Illustration: LIVERPOOL & NORTH WALES STEAMPACKET CO.] [Illustration: DAVID MACBRAYNE.] [Illustration: DAVID MACIVER & CO.] [Illustration: H. & W. NELSON.] [Illustration: PACIFIC S. N. CO.] [Illustration: F. H. POWELL & CO.] [Illustration: C. MACIVER & CO.] [Illustration: JAMES MOSS & CO.] [Illustration: J. J. MACK & SONS.] [Illustration: P. & O. S. N. CO.] [Illustration: R. & J. H. REA.] CHAPTER XXII. REMARKABLE HISTORY OF A GLASGOW STEAMER. [Illustration: The FERRET s.s. chartered by Henderson & Co.—Sails for the Mediterranean and disappears.—BENTON s.s. sails with a cargo of coffee from Santos, and also disappears.—Seizure of INDIA s.s. at Melbourne.—Proved to be missing steamer FERRET, _alias_ BENTON.] Decidedly the most dramatic incident ever recorded in the annals of steam navigation was the theft of the steamer FERRET and the piratical seizure and sale of her cargo of coffee. The FERRET was a screw steamer measuring 170 feet 9 inches in length, 23 feet 2 inches beam, and 12 feet 7 inches depth; builders’ measurement 439 tons, with a probable carrying capacity of 400 tons deadweight cargo, in addition to coal in bunkers. She had compound engines of 90 h.p. nominal, and her reputed speed was 12 knots per hour. She was built on the Clyde in 1871, by the well-known firm of J. & G. Thomson, for Messrs. G. & J. Burns, of Glasgow, from whom the Highland Railway Co. purchased her for their mail and passenger service, and she held a Board of Trade certificate for 200 passengers. The conspirators who succeeded in stealing this vessel, laid their plans with great care and attention to details, and carried them out with marvellous audacity. One of them took an office in Gracechurch Street, London, and obtained a supply of printed stationery, describing himself as “Henderson & Co., Ship Brokers, &c.” He also opened an account with the ... Bank, in the name of “Smith,” taking care until his plans were perfected to keep a respectable balance to his credit.