Portugese Cattleboat Theory

[How Brown]

Since Nina is Portugese/American....and she can wield a pretty mean knife....I figured I would open a thread regarding the "Portugese Cattlemen" Theory and of course,Edward Larkins....the proponent of this theory.


Comece por favor a discussão !

[WRITEFX]

I can't remember all the story now, but why did he decide it was on these boats (4 wasn't it?) that the killer arrived as there must have been lots of other ships arriving in London at a similar time, or was it only those ships at those times? Sorry this sounds a bit like a tonguetwister.

[Chris G.]

Hello How and WRITEFX

Yes Larkins' theory did depend on the Portuguese cattle boats arriving at times coincident to the murders. On the other hand, the story is that the more he analyzed his data, the statistics started to become confusing, so ultimately his theory was discredited. I do think that a merchant seaman theory continues to a possibility even if Larkins might be mistaken in the particular tree he was barking up. :faint:

Chris

[How Brown]

Dear C.G.:

"I do think that a merchant seaman theory continues to a possibility even if Larkins might be mistaken in the particular tree he was barking up."-C.G.

I agree with you C.G....and allow me to expand on this issue....

In re-reading Larkins' comments ( which can be found in The Ultimate Sourcebook on pages 444 and 447 ) one is struck with the fact that Larkins appears to have been influenced by the perception that Portugese people ( not just cattlemen...) were more genetically prone to acts of violence with a knife....and that the fact that Portugese men....and not, say Danes or Lithuanians were on these boats might have encouraged this theory even further.

In other words....had these cattleboats not contained Portugese men,Larkins' theory may have not been posited....

[WRITEFX]

How,

Portuguese - was it ever said what religion they were? I'm guessing RC.

So they are supposed to be genetically prone to knives - we can visualise knives used in fights - self defence. But a calculated gruesome murder on an unsuspecting and unarmed woman?

If they were RC - that would have to be a hell of a risk - literally. Mortal sins.

[How Brown]

Dear WFX:

Even though Larkins never ventured into the religious affiliation of the people he is referring to, he does mention on a few occasions this sort of tripe: their "revengeful characteristics"...they are in the habit of carrying knives.."...."the revengeful character of the Portugese is a matter of history..."...and makes no distinction as to the gender of those who "fell upon French stragglers ( soldiers ) in the Peninsular War with the "ferocity of savages"...

This is the reason I sort of feel that Larkins based his theory in the first place on cattleboat men...because it fell in line with his provincialistic stereotyping of those who happened to be Portugese. Had they been cattleboatmen from another ethnicity...I have the feeling that Larkins would not have been so keen to be as forceful ( Anderson calls him a "troublesome faddist") or elaborate with this line of theorization.

Back in 1888...and even more recently as that.... many if not most Europeans practiced a form of racism ( or more accurately,provincialism) towards themselves,delineating between Nordic and Mediterranean,Alpine,Dinaric,Baltic,etc...) with an ample abundance of examples evident in the writings and musings of that time. Larkins finds out that there are Portugese on these boats....combines his acquired belief system with this fact....and concocts the theory.

Of course,the Ripper may have been a man who worked on these boats....thats not an argument.

[Robert Linford]

Hi How

It's true of course that most Europeans prefer their own country to all others, which is natural. Re the Portuguese, though, I would say that the Portuguese were probably among the most liked - or least disliked - of the foreigners as far as the British were concerned, as they have historically been one of our staunchest allies.

Robert

[WRITEFX]

On the subject of provincial stereotyping - if Larkin believed it was a Portuguese off the boats, I bet a gypsy could have looked the part with their swarthy looks. And they were handy with knives too.

[How Brown]

Dear WFX:

Good point...and in fact,any man with a moustache who hailed from non-Nordic nations might fit the proverbial bill.

Dear Bob:

I didn't know that ( what you mentioned about the Portugese and their relationship to Britain ). Thanks.

[WRITEFX]

Could the reason Larkin directed his sleuthing toward the Portuguese was that he held a secret grudge and was determined to 'get them'. What better way - fit them up as JTR.

A childhood incident which led to trauma, a good looking Portuguese standing on his toe :shocked: - it only takes something small to set someone off if they have delusions and obsessions!