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I know little of George Hillman (and would love to learn more of him).
But it is unambiguously recorded in family records that he died, along with
two of his five children, as a passenger on the Evening Star when she
floundered between New York and New Orleans. Concerning that
disaster, the following newspaper articles have been identified by Dave
Hillman
Philadelphia Public Ledger
Tuesday Morning, October 9, 1866
Page 1
Ledger and Transcript
Philadelphia, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 1866
The Latest News.
The steamer Evening Star, from New York for New Orleans, has
foundered at sea. Her passengers and crew numbered 300, and nearly all were
lost.
The Loss of the Steamship Evening Star.
Augusta, GA., Oct. 9. -- The following additional particulars of the
loss of the steamship Evening Star are from the Savannah News of this
morning, and contain the latest particulars of the disaster:
The steamer on the 2d instant encountered a severe gale at 2 P.M., 180
miles east of Tybee island. After weathering the storm for seventeen hours,
she foundered at 6 P.M.(sic) on the morning of the 3d, with 270 souls on
board, only 17 of whom are known to have been saved. It seems that there
were only three or four lifeboats on board, in one of which the chief
engineer and purser, with six of the crew and two passengers, succeeded,
after being capsized several times, in keeping afloat until picked up by the
Norwegian bark Fleetwing, by which they were transferred to the
schooner J. Waring, on which vessel they arrived at Savannah last
night. The following is a correct list of the saved on the purser's boat:
Robert Finger, chief engineer; E. S. Allen, purser; John Long, water
tender; Frederick Shaffer, coal passer; Dennis Gannon, waiter; Rowland
Stephens, waiter; Edward Larnen, passenger; H. H. Harris, passenger. A
second boat took sixteen persons from the ship, among them the captain and
third mate. This boat was capsized some twelve or thirteen times; the
captain was lost the fourth time. This boat arrived at Fernandina on Sunday,
with six persons alive and two dead bodies. Only one passenger was saved in
the third mate's boat. His name is Frank Gerard, 51 Bond street, Brooklyn.
The names of the survivors in this boat are Thos. Fitzpatrick, third mate;
John Dempsey, seaman; John Campbell, do., Jas. Howe, seaman; Chancellor
Mason, steerage steward; Frank Gerard, passenger.
Amongst the passengers was an Italian opera troupe and a number of women
and children, none of whom are reported saved.
Philadelphia Public Ledger
Thursday Morning, October 11, 1866
Page 1
[Special Despatch to the Public Ledger.]
The Lost Steamer Evening Star.
New York, Oct. 10. -- On inquiry among the leading Insurance
Companies of our city, I find that the report that the ill-fated Steamer
Evening Star was "unseaworthy," and could not be insured for that
reason, is totally false. On the books of the "Mercantile," the Star rated A
1, and on those of the "Sun," as A 1 1/2 and A 2.
Either of these companies, or the "Atlantic," would have insured the
last vessel at the usual rates. The fact that they insured her cargo is
sufficient proof that they did not regard the vessel itself unseaworthy.
With regard to the prime cause of the loss of the steamer, some of our
insurance companies consider it was more because of her being a side
wheel ship than from bad management or unfit condition to stand the
gale. If the storm or hurricane caught her on the side, it would so careen
her as to lift her other side almost out of water, and the ponderous
wheelhouse being thus caught, it would not require much of an additional
blow to capsize her completely. x.
____________________________
[Special Despatch to the Public Ledger.]
The Late Calamity -- Judge Morgan's Appointment.
New Orleans, Oct. 10. -- Numerous telegrams have been despatched
to New York and Savannah, to ascertain the names of the lost, and the deep
feeling of grief at the unlooked-for occurrence, is fully as great as when
the intelligence was first received.
Judge Phil. Morgan, of this city, has received from the President the
appointment of U.S. District Attorney for New Orleans. The Judge is one of
the most capable members of the Bench and Bar, and his appointment is
received with congratulations by the press and people. w.
A full list of the unfortunate passengers is published here this
morning, from which it is apparent that there were fewer old or recognized
citizens of the city, or vicinity, on board than on almost any previous trip
of the same vessel. This naturally tends to soften the blow somewhat, though
the catastrophe in itself is felt to be most shocking and heartrending.
Source:
Philadelphia Free Library
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
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