Ship Hector - Death at Sea 1899

[emanday]

I'm so excited

Just had an email from Maritime History Archives in Newfoundland. They've found Charles' sign on in the Hector crewlists, and the details relating to his death.

Seems he only signed on a few days before he got washed overboard, so they have only copied the pages for that voyage, to cut the costs to me.

His previous ship was the Rodney, probable ON 94355, which was registered in London. So I might just try to follow his seafaring career back, just to get to know a bit more about the real man, rather than the mythical "Tea Clipper Captain" we'd always been told about.

I think a now, to calm me down

[LesleyB]

Hi Mary
That's great to hear that you may find a little more information about Charles at last.

Bet wishes
Lesley

[emanday]

I received the Crew Agreement papers from MHA in Newfoundland this morning and it's fascinating!

The SS Hector sailed on 3rd September 1899, heading for Civita Vecchia which is north of Rome. She had accomodation for 45 crewmen, but sailed with only 25 listed, Charles being one of the Firemen (stoker one assumes).

His pay was to be £4/10/- per month. It even tells of the provisioning per person...

In addition to the required daily issue of Lime or Lemon juice and Sugar for Scurvy prevention...

Daily allowance of 3 Quarts of water, 1lb Bread, 1/4oz Tea, 1/2oz Roasted Coffee Beans, 2oz Sugar.

Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday they had 1 and 1/2lbs Beef
Monday, Wednesday and Friday it was 1 and 1/4lbs Pork
1/2lb of Flour on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.
1/3pint Peas Monday, Wednesday and Friday
1/2lb Rice on Sunday

Sounds really bland!

It was a "dry ship" at the Master's option!

Here is the report by the Acting Vice Consul about Charles' death...

"I hereby certify that the master has reported to me the death at sea, Lat 45.57N Long 8.3W on the 7th instant of the crewman named Charles MacDonald. The man was just off duty and was sitting on No.2 hatch. The top of a heavy sea curled on board where he was sitting and washed him overboard. Two life buoys were thrown to him, a man was sent aloft and the ship turned round immediately and steamed back. Ship circled three times each way and cruised about for two hours and twenty minutes. The crew being all satisfied that all possible attempts to rescue the poor man had been made, the ship got round and proceeded.

A proper entry of the sad occurence in the official log book has been produced to me. I have inquired into and fully investigated the circumstances therein set forth and have every reason to believe them to be true.

The master is to account for the balance of wages (if any) due to the man at the time of his disappearance on the ship's return to the United Kingdom. The deceased left no effects of personal use.

The forms BD1 and BD5 have been forwarded to the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, London.

This part was signed by ??? Berlingen, Acting Vice Consul 21st Sept 1899."

On 27th October 1899, this was added...

"Re: Charles MacDonald - Drowned
No further inquiry seems necessary in this case.

Signed by ??? Robson or Robertson, ??? Supt and stamped with the date and ??? Office, South Shields"

Just as an added bit of interest: On 22nd Sept 1899, while in Civita Vecchia a new Fireman was engaged, Nationality Italian from that port. His name appears to be Mauri Giovanni and he was 35. His address in that city is given, so if any of you are descended from him, let me know