Executed for a body that wasn't hers

In 1907, a Russian steamship docked in Santa Monica, California, its entire crew abandoning ship without a word. Twenty-three men died on the voyage, three captains by suicide, and the only explanation offered was a warm breeze in the middle of the cold Pacific. What secret did the ship carry that drove men to such desperate acts?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling true story of the Perer, a cargo vessel whose journey from Hong Kong to California was plagued by inexplicable deaths and desertions. We explore the documented accounts from the Chicago Tribune, detailing the strange events and the two men who knew the ship's terrifying secret.

Case: The Perer
Date: Spring 1907
Location: Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica, California
Event: Mass deaths and desertions on a Russian steamship
Source: Chicago Tribune

- 23 crew members died on the voyage from Hong Kong to California.
- 3 captains committed suicide during the journey.
- 9 crew members deserted in a stolen lifeboat before reaching port.
- The original crew in Hong Kong deserted en masse due to a known danger.
- A warm, unexplainable breeze was documented to sweep the ship's deck in the cold Pacific.

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