The Fateful Secret: Mackenzie's Panic and the Wardroom's Verdict of Death. Richard Snow discusses how the crisis began on Friday, November 24, 1842, when Philip Spencer detailed his plot to crew member Wales, claiming to have recruited at least 20 people to turn the Somers into a pirate ship. Wales reported the plot to First Lieutenant Gansevoort, who reported to Captain Mackenzie. Mackenzie initially dismissed the claim but quickly became convinced and panicky, ordering Gansevoort to spy on Spencer. On Saturday, Mackenzie confronted Spencer and had him put in irons. Mackenzie grew increasingly suspicious, eventually arresting Boatswain's Mate Cromwell and Seaman Small. The ship's environment became one of "collective insanity" and extreme paranoia. Mackenzie suspiciously delegated the choice by asking his wardroom officers to convene an investigation, and the officers delivered a verdict: for the safety of the vessel, Spencer, Small, and Cromwell had to die. Despite being only hours from fortified land in the Virgin Islands, the verdict was executed.