December 7, 1916
Hanson Killed When Spar Fell
Accident on Sch. Cavalier
Bound Home From Banks
Body Afterward Washed Overboard and Lost
Cook Died on Trip
With her colors at half mast, sch. Cavalier,
Capt. Robert B. Porper, arrived here early this morning and reported the
loss of Severen Hanson, one of her crew, who died on shipboard from
injuries after he had been struck by either a block or part of the mainmast which fell
from above during a sudden puff of wind, while the craft was homeward bound. Edward
Gallagher, another of the crew, was also injured in the accident, although not
seriously and is getting along nicely now.
The Cavalier has been in hard
luck ever since leaving port. Capt. Porper left here October 20,
and had been out but a few days when her cook, Carl Olson, died.
The Cavalier put in at a Nova Scotia port and another
cook was sent down, after which the craft resumed her trip.
Everything went well until last Friday, when the Cavalier
was returning from Green Bank and the accident occurred which cost Hanson his
life and injured Gallagher. It was blowing a good breeze, although
not what would be termed a gale and the Cavalier was coming
along under single reefed mainsail, and foresail and jumbo.
About midnight Friday, when about 60 miles southeast of
Sable Island, a sudden gust struck the Cavalier, causing her
mainsail to jib over and in the strain, some of the blocking and gear overhead fell to the
deck. All hands were on deck at the time, taking in the foresail, and they had no
sooner started to clear away the entanglement when a section of the mainmast, which had
snapped off a few feet below the cross trees, came crashing through the sail to the deck
below.
It was dark as pitch at the time and in the mishap Hanson
was struck in the head, either by a block or the masthead itself. He was taken below
and everything done for his relief, but he never regained consciousness and died a few
hours later.
The body was placed in the top dory of the nest on the
starboard side and the Cavalier continued her journey home after
making necessary repairs so as to proceed. This was Saturday, and later in the day,
while the craft was laying to mast without any warning, a nasty sea hit her on the
starboard side, aft of where the dories rested, lifting the entire nest bodily, and swept
them into the foresail and carrying the top one containing the body of Hanson
far over the port side. It happened in a second it seemed, and before the skipper or
crew could act. This was the last seen of the body and some distance away was the
remains of the dory which had been smashed in the compact. The windlass was badly
damaged and other damage done about the deck forward.
Edward Gallagher, who was hurt when the
masthead fell, received injuries about the shoulder and chest. He was able to come
ashore this morning and will seek medical treatment, although he is much better.
The Cavalier brought 15,000
pounds fresh halibut, 15,000 pounds salt cod and 25,000 pounds fresh fish.
Hanson, the unfortunate man was about 30
years of age and boarded at the Fort. He was unmarried.
While he was out on the previous trip, the oldest daughter
of Capt. Porper died, he not knowing of the sad affair until his arrival
home. |
