Crosby Family Online Exhibit Part II

Eyewitness account of the shipwreck, S.S. Hanoverian September 2, 1885
In our last exhibit highlighting some of the family photographs and genealogy of the Crosby family of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, we noted that the bulk of the collection consisted of family correspondence. Most of the letters belong to Lucinda May (Crosby) Wood, daughter of Capt. Wallace Crosby and his wife Catherine. The Crosby family letters are a typical example of what one may find in family papers. The exchanges between family members relate to personal family matters such as illness, activities at church or school.
                                                        
Letters that stand out and have broad appeal to family historians and scholars are those in which the correspondent provides a first hand account of a journey or are eyewitnesses to a historical event. Among Lucinda’s letters is one written by a J. Parr on November 22, 1885 from the ship Peruvian at Halifax, Nova Scotia.  In his detailed letter, Mr. Parr provides an eyewitness account of the shipwreck of the S.S. Hanoverian off the coast of Newfoundland where Mr. Parr served as ship’s surgeon.

Click here for enlarged image

"Peruvian" Halifax Sunday Eve., Nov. 22. 1885 Dear Miss Crosby, I can offer no satisfactory apology for my breach of faith in not writing to you on our next outward voyage as I promised.  I can merely put forward the weak pleas of laziness and procrastination. However you can comfort

Click here for enlarged image

yourself by the assurance that I have been severely punished. After you cruelly left us we proceeded to Baltimore; and after a weeks roasting there we started for home. We reached Liverpool on Wed July 29th, and sailed again on Tuesday August 4th.  The entire passage to Baltimore was very fine and agreeable.  When we reached Halifax I soothed my conscience by saying that I would have more news for you, and more time to write, on our return from Baltimore.

Click here for enlarged image

But, Alas! frail humanity again had the upper hand. We brought out to Baltimore a young Englishman who sang very well, and accompanied himself admirably on the banjo.  He was the life of the ship, and made the time pass very pleasantly. He became so enamoured of the old "Hanoverian" that instead of going to Virginia, as be at first intended, he returned with us on our homeward voyage, and thus became a partner of our woes. We left Baltimore on Tuesday Aug 25th, and reached Halifax on Friday the 28th At noon on Monday the 31st

Click here for enlarged image

the poor old "Hanoverian" left Halifax, never again to enter a harbour. We had about 45 Saloon passengers on board, including the wife and family of the Bishop of Nova Scotia, Professor Graham Bell, inventor of the Telephone, and his wife and family.  We had several Naval Officers returning to England from Halifax. The wharf was crowded with people seeing thier friends off and amid cheering and waving of hats and handkerchiefs we steamed slowly away.  The sun shone brightly down and enlivened the

Click here for enlarged image

gay scene.  We expected to reach St. John's about 2 p.m. on Wednessday September 2nd at 6 a.m on Wednessday a dense fog set in At twenty minute past nine I was on deck smoking my after breakfast pipe, and most of the passangers were walking about on deck enjoying the find morning; for though the fog was very dense it was a lovely morning.  I heard the telegraph ring and the

Click here for enlarged image

engines suddenly stop.  We were going about nine knots at the time.  I ran to the side and saw land right ahead, not half a mile distant.  The engines were reversed, and she proceeded for 300 yards, slackening speed all the time, when, just as we all thought she was stopped, we felt her grate on the rocks. Her stern then swung round and struck heavily. The rudder was carried away and the stern post

Click here for enlarged image

broken.  She filled very fast, and began to sink. The seven life boats were rapidly lowered, and in half an hour after she struck all the passengers were safe on above.  It was very fortunate that the sea was tolerably calm.  There was very little panic-the ladies behaved admirably. We were cast ashore on a very desolate part of the Newfoundland coast, about 5 or 6 miles south west of Cape Race, and it was very hard to get any accommodation for the

Click here for enlarged image

passengers.  The ship sank till the water was level with the saloon tables, and then she remained  stationary on the rocks.  The Captain, 1st and 3rd officers, and chief engineer remained at the scene of the wreck for six weeks. The passengers and the remainder of the crew were taken in steamers to ST John's N.F., and in a few days were taken on to Liverpool in the Allan s.s. "Polynesian".  I remained at home for about five weeks and was then appointed surgeon to the " Peruvian" the "Pevuvian" runs on the same route as the "Hanoverian"

Click here for enlarged image

used to We are now on our homeward voyage from Baltimore. Time and words would fail me to describe the experiences we had doing the few days we remained near the wreck.  Suffice it to say I did not wash my face for four days not take off my clothes, and for four nights I slept on the bare floor.  I never quite realized till then what was meant by the phrase home comforts.

Click here for enlarged image

The "Hanoverian" went to pieces during a gale exactly ten weeks after she went ashore. A Board of Trade inquiry was held in Glasgow early in the present month. I was very glad to hear that the count did not suspend poor Captain Thompson's certificate, although they attributed the loss of the ship to a. gross error of judgment on his part.

Click here for enlarged image

You remember Mr. McKittrick who was a passenger to Baltimore when you crossed with us. He travelled through the Eastern cities of the States to Montreal and Quebec, and joined us again at Halifax on our return from Baltimore.  We had a rare time together on the voyage to Liverpool. Mr Hougthton my old shipmate-chief Steward of the "Hanoverian"- is Chief Steward of this ship. We agree very well and things go on very pleasantly

Click here for enlarged image

We sail for St. John's at noon tomorrow (Monday). Please remember me kindly to your mother, and tell her not to be vexed with me for writing to you. Give dear little "Pansy Blossom" a kiss for me. Please write me a line to tell me how you all are. Address- St James; Drogheda. Ireland. Ever yours sincerely, J Parr