The Sloop-Raiding ‘Pirates’ of Puget Sound
For years a crew of thieves raided ranches and wharves around the Sound, escaping by water—and alibiing one another in court. Now their reputed leader faces a second trial.
Snohomish, March 28.—Special.—Brodie, of Puget Sound privateer fame, is on trial today in the superior court, the jury having disagreed in the former trial. The prosecuting attorney is satisfied that he has sufficient evidence to convict the old-time offender on this trial. Three of the pirates are in the Jefferson county jail. One is in Island county and two are here, alternately proving an alibi for each other in the cases brought against them. Their operations around the Sound have been extensive and clever. They would swoop down on some ranch or wharf and carry away the spoil in their sloop. If Brodie is convicted the gang will be pretty well broken up.
“They would swoop down on some ranch or wharf and carry away the spoil in their sloop.”
Puget Sound’s waterways once made getaway routes as much as trade routes. The case is a reminder that 'piracy' in the Northwest was often plain theft, pursued across county lines.
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