Jack the Ripper’s Knife in the Mersey

[Markus Aurelius Franzoi]

The next obvious step for anyone interested in the case, especially those based in Liverpool, or who can go there, and have or can get metal-detecting gear, is to search the River Mersey riverbed off of Aigburth where James Maybrick says he threw his knife according to the Diary.

[Markus Aurelius Franzoi]

“Tonight I will take my shining knife and be rid of it. Throw it deep within the river. I shall return to Battlecrease with the knowledge that I can no longer continue my campaign. ‘Tis love that spurned me so; ‘tis love that shall put an end to it.”

The Jack the Ripper Diary

[Jay Hartley]

The trans-Pennine trail runs adjacent to the River Mersey, literally at the bottom of Riversdale Road, which would be the first area I would look at.

Imagine the reaction on the forums uncovering a 10-inch Victorian-era knife from that location.

"Oh great, another hoax artefact!"

[Jay Hartley]

Not sure how anyone would get down to check...

[Markus Aurelius Franzoi]

There must be a very low tide at some point. Add in a dry spell and you might be able to go out 40-50 yards.

How far could he possibly throw it? If he’s like me, it’s 40 yards max. But he was a cricketer, wasn’t he?

[Markus Aurelius Franzoi]

Imagine the reaction on the forums uncovering a 10-inch Victorian-era knife from that location.

"Oh great, another hoax artefact!"

And well thought out too. They didn’t include a knife in their serial killer stash.

That only suggests to me that it was thrown away.

[George Sotiriou]

Question? Why presume that Maybrick disposed of the knife in the river Mersey and not some other river? Had he still been in London and got rid of it, say the river Thames? Hence “...I shall return to Battlecrease...” Just a thought.

[Markus Aurelius Franzoi]

That’s a distinct possibility, George, now that you mention it. I know the Thames turns up a lot of artifacts through metal detecting.

The Diary entry mentions Dr Fuller who was in London and says James was wandering the streets all night but could not strike. Presumably, he’s talking about London.

But it’s the 3rd last entry before the last one dated May 3rd, only 8 days before he died, and I’m still going to presume he wrote his diary entries at home (if not then his office in Liverpool); I’m also presuming he didn’t take the diary with him to London and he wasn’t going to London that night.

https://whitechapeljack.com/the-james-maybrick-diary/

[Markus Aurelius Franzoi]

The Maybrick A to Z confirms the truth of the diary entry, at least the part about going to London. I can't find this in Poisoned Life but it might be in the trial transcripts.

The Maybrick A to Z - Page 44 and the Ripper Diary:

"In April 1889, shortly before his death, James visited London on two consecutive weekends as he wanted to pay-off Florence's debts and have a medical consultation with Dr Fuller."

"Fuller believes there is very little the matter with me. Strange, the thoughts he placed into my mind. I could not strike, I believe I am mad, completely mad. I try to fight my thoughts I walk the streets until dawn. I could not find it in my heart to strike, visions of my dear Bunny overwhelm me."

[John Savage]

Any ambitious researcher who wishes to make the trip to Liverpool to search for this knife would do well to first have a look at the tide tables for Liverpool which will give the dates and times of high and low water. Best moths for low water in 2023 would be March or April.

Tide Tables here: http://www.cams.bangor.ac.uk/realtim...t/liverpoo.htm

[Markus Aurelius Franzoi]

Does the 0.2 in March actually mean that the water level is predicted to be maximum .2 meters on that day?

[Markus Aurelius Franzoi]

I remember reading that Montague Druitt could throw a ball 300 feet.

All I can say then is that I’m glad it wasn’t Druitt who threw it!

[John Savage]

The tide heights given in these tables refers to the height above Chart Datum. Chart Datum is the approximate lowest levels due to astronomical effects. Effects of weather can vary this level at certain times.

Chart Datum for Liverpool is 4.93meters, so add 0.2meters and the height will be expected to 4.5meters.

What the Tide Tables show us is the dates and times when lowest water can be expected, which means the tide will go out further giving a larger search area.

[R. J. Palmer]

I remember reading that Montague Druitt could throw a ball 300 feet.

According to Sir Robert Anderson, Kosminski was quite the tosser as well.

(sorry)

[Markus Aurelius Franzoi]

Not sure how anyone would get down to check...

Isn't that lookout right across from Aigburth? If that was there in 1889, then I'd say that James would have thrown it from there so we might have a line of trajectory and a direction to search in.

I wonder if James would have had any Arthurian thoughts as he threw his knife into the water....