Bushranger Profiles Alexander Pearce

BUSHRANGER PROFILES

Alexander Pearce

Alexander Pearce

On 21 November a schooner named the WATERLOO under the command of a Captain Lucas was putting to sea when it sighted a man on the beach signalling with smoke from a fire. Lucas ordered a boat ashore to investigate. Meanwhile the convict settlement had also sighted the smoke and had also despatched a boat with a detachment of soldiers under Lieutenant Cutherston. Both boats landed at about the same time and Cutherston recognised Pearce and immediately arrested him. Pearce had been signalling the WATERLOO in an attempt to escape by sea.

When questioned as to the whereabouts of Cox, Pearce admitted killing and eating him and volunteered to show the soldiers the whereabouts of the body. This he did and the horrified party found there was nothing left except the skeleton and the viscera. It was also quickly apparent that pearce had not murdered his companion for hunger. At the camp was found a large piece of pork, several fish, some flour and some bread which the escapees had stolen.

Pearce was taken to Hobart and tried for murder and cannibalism. Pearce openly boasted about his deeds and justified them by revealing the earlier trail of bloodshed. While playing down his role in the murder of the five he claimed that he had developed a craving for human meat which he found to be far more delicious than pork or fish. That was why he had taken Cox with him, to satisfy the craving.

Pearce was quickly found Guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. This occurred early in 1824. His case had attracted much macabre sensation in Hobart and a large crowd was present to watch him hang. Upon the ruling of the Bench his body was dissected after he was hanged.

As an aside, as callous and brutal as Pearce undoubtedly was, he wasn't the worst cannibal/bushranger. That dubious honour goes to Thomas Jefferies who, in addition to bushranging and cannibalism, bashed a baby to death, raped its mother and shot its father dead.