January
1st - Terrible storm on
Western bank. The Cynisca, crew of
nine men, the Life Boat, crew of nine
men, and the Ocean Traveller , crew
of ten men, all lost on the Banks.
10th - Richard Wheaton lost
overboard from schooner Kit Carson, on her homeward passage from
Newfoundland.
20th - Sch. Oregon lost on Quaddy Head, with crew of eight men.
Friday, March 28, 1862
Full Particulars of the Disasters to our
Fishing Fleet
Names of the Missing Vessels and the Men
Comprising Their Crew Lists!
The fishing business has been
pursued the past winter at a fearful sacrifice of life and property, the magnitude of
which is truly appalling! Fifteen vessels have been lost with
their entire crews. Two were abandoned on George's, and their crews rescued by
inward-bound vessels; two went ashore and became total losses --crews saved. It is also to
be feared that there is yet another of the Gloucester vessels which will never return,
having been absent on a trip to Western Banks, since Dec. 13th, and upwards of thirteen
weeks have elapsed since she has been seen or heard from. Some of the best skippers and
fishermen sailing from this port, many of them having families dependant upon them for
support, have been drowned beneath the waves of George's.
We have delayed publishing the
names of the crews of the thirteen vessels lost in the gale of Feb 24th and 25th, hoping
that some of them might possibly arrive, but up to the present writing, no tidings have
come from them, and it is feared that there never will. The anxiety of those having
friends on board these vessels, can be imagined, but not described, and as days and weeks
pass away, hope gives way to despair, and the fearful truth is forced upon their minds
that they ne'er shall see the loved ones on earth again.
"No more for them the
blazing hearth shall burn,
Or busy housewife ply her evening care;
No children run to lisp their sires return
Or climb his knee, the envied kiss to share"
We also publish from our files, a
recapitulation of the losses attending winter fishing since the business commenced in this
town. The whole number of vessels lost in fifty-three and about four
hundred and fifty lives. The amount of vessel property lost including loss of anchors,
cable, etc., will amount to $275,000.
On Monday evening, February 24th, a terrific
gale from N.W., suddenly burst upon out fishing fleet on George's, where there were about
seventy sail, anchored in close proximity to each other. Not having sufficient warning of
the blow, they were unable to heave up, and it is expected that the missing vessels came
in collision with each other and went down with all on board.
In the above gale fifteen vessels were lost,
with their entire crews, and two, the Borodino and Quickstep,
were abandoned and their crews rescued by inward-bound vessels. Subjoined we give the list
of the vessels lost the past winter, together with their crew lists, and valuation and
insurance of the property. The amount of vessel property lost amounts to about $75,000, on
which there is an insurance of $56,637; one vessel was uninsured. The number of lives lost
this winter is one hundred and thirty eight, causing seventy widows, and one hundred and
forty-seven orphans.
January - The Cynisca
- entire crew of ten men lost
January - The Life Boat - entire crew of nine men lost
February - The Enterprise - entire crew of nine men lost
February - The George Wonson - entire crew of nine men lost
February - The May Queen - entire crew of nine men lost
February - The Ocean Flower - entire crew of nine men lost
February - The Oconomowoc - entire crew of ten men lost
February - The North Star - entire crew of nine men lost
February - The Contest - entire crew of nine men lost
February - The Nebraska - entire crew of nine men lost
February - The Clara Eva - entire crew of nine men lost
February - The Annie Laurie - entire crew of nine men lost
February - The Dreadnaught - entire crew of nine men lost
February - The John H. Crittenden - entire crew of ten men lost
February - The Anglo Saxon - entire crew of ten men lost
The Borodino, Knight, master,
was disabled and abandoned on Georges. Crew taken off by schooner Peerless
and brought to this port. Owned by George Steele, valued at $3,000, insured for
$2,625.
Schooner Quickstep, Brewer, master; was also disabled at the
same time. Crew taken off by schooner Northern Chief, and
brought to port. Owned by George F. Wonson & Bros. Valued at $3,200,
insured for $2,800.
March
William Campbell lost
overboard on Georges, from schooner Sea Foam.
April
20th - John McDonald, of
schooner Flying Fish, was drowned by falling between the vessel
and wharf.
August
10th - George E. Webber, of
this town, one of the crew of schooner Glad Tidings, died at
Prince Edward's Island, of typhoid fever.
October
James L. Buck, of schooner Wild
Rover, lost overboard on the passage home from the Bay of St. Lawrence.
12th - Daniel Desmond, of
schooner A. R. Andrews, lost overboard off Thacher's Island. |
