The Locke Family |
Yes, the numbers of the postings are not in order - it seems impossible to run a listing in reverse, and I have not been able to figure out how to insert at the beginning.
2024 postings are first, new 2025 postings follow at the end of the page.
#18 Ebenezer Jacob Locke. [edited and replaced December 1, 2024.]
Ancestry files list Ebenezer’s birthdate as 23 July, 1818, in Barry’s Point, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia. The 1881 Canada Census gives his birth year as 1821, and other records list his home as Shelburne, Lockeport and Ragged Islands. There is no longer a Lockeport Historical Society and it is hard to verify exactly where, or when, he was born.
While Eben is not listed on the Nova Scotia census of 1827, Locke family trees suggest that his father was Jacob Locke who is listed as a fisherman, cultivating 4 acres in ‘other grain’ and hay, owning 4 horned cattle, 35 sheep, 5 swine and harvested 150 potatoes [I assume the number refers to bushels, not single units].
Ebenezer married Mary Jennet Pye, of Liscomb, Nova Scotia, Nov 12, 1851. Ebenezer had no doubt been sailing for many years. He was a Captain by 1850: his ‘Master’s Certificate of Service’, #75413, issued in Liverpool England in 1868, documents 18 years as a Master in the British Merchant Service.
The Turner Pye family tree on Ancestry.ca lists that Ebenezer and Mary had seven children.
( ) brackets in family tree; [ ] my insertions.
Leonard Pye, Aug 23, 1852. [born in Liscomb, baptismal record]
Janet Eva, Oct 29, 1855. [born in Liscomb]
[Eben] James, ([Oct 10],1858). [born in Liscomb, Date on his application for US Seaman’s Protection]
Emma Darling, Nov 10, 1861. [born in Liscomb, Date on marriage registration]
Vernon Guyon, Oct 13, 1864. [named for uncle Vernon Guyon]
Sarah Elizabeth, Nov 15, 1865 [presumed deceased, Sarah is not on the 1871 census]
William Henry (1867)
Alphonso Troop, Dec 30, 1871. [born in Halifax, Date on US application for social security]
The Nova Scotia Personal Census by Ages, 1860-1, lists Eben J Locke, in Halifax polling district #5. No names of family are listed, just a household with 4 males [Eben, Leonard, Eben James, unknown] and 3 females [Mary, Eva, Emma. Mary may have returned to Liscomb for Emma’s birth].
1863 was no doubt an interesting one for Ebenezer. His brother Vernon Guyon had moved to the United States many years earlier and on the outbreak of the Civil War sided with the South. He obtained a certificate and registration to sail on the South’s behalf, as a blockade runner/privateer. In March Ebenezer met Vernon, whom he had not seen for 20 years, in Nassau and saw his papers. Later Vernon was involved in the ‘Second Chesapeake Affair’. After capturing that ship, in December he was sailing the Southeast coast of Nova Scotia, looking for supplies. Allegedly Ebenezer helped him evade capture by the Americans looking for him. In 1865 Vernon was again in Nassau, then he returned to the United States.
[The story of the Chesapeake is reported in several places on the internet. A very thorough account appears in Greg Marquis: In Armageddon’s Shadow: The Civil War and Canada’s Maritime Provinces. 1998.]
The Hutchison’s Guide of 1864/65 for Guysborough, page 319, lists Eben J Locke as a liquor dealer in Liscomb. Nova Scotia.
The Canada Census of 1871 records the family in Halifax Ward 6: Ebenezer, Mary, Eva, James, Emma, Vernon, William, and Adria [age 30, assumed to be a relative.] Street Directories for Halifax indicate Bedford; Locke, Roome and Campbell Streets. The Hopkins City Atlas of Halifax, 1878, Plate U identifies Roome St. Unfortunately, this is in the area destroyed by the Halifax Explosion of 1917.
In the Seafarers of the Atlantic Provinces, Ebenezer is listed as the owner of at least three schooners:
#1: Victoria, #H850017, registered in Halifax, Eben Jacob Locke’s residence is listed as Falkland Cove, Halifax. However, Stephen Archibald of Falkland Village, previously Fergusons Cove, suggests this may be an error, that Eben was a resident of Falkland Parish near Lunenburg. Falkland Cove may have been a 'local name' - it did not appear on Google maps.
The BAC-LAC has a schooner, Victoria, built in Bridgetown, registered in Halifax in 1838 and re registered in 1848, but no ship’s number recorded. This too may be a transcription error and may refer to Bridgewater, a more likely area for Eben to be living. Phone calls to the area have not able to resolve the confusion.
The Victoria is not listed with the Naval Marine Archive.
#2: Florence, #H851102, constructed in 1845 and registered in Halifax, but no voyage information is listed, only that there was a crew of 3.
#3: Uncle Tom, a schooner #H853144, constructed in Guysborough, 1853, and registered in Halifax. It is also registered in the BAC-LAC with official number 35938. The Naval Marine Archive remarks that it was re-registered twice: in 1859 #9031369, and 1861 #9031370 and lost near St. John’s, Newfoundland on June 13, 1868. The Uncle Tom had a crew of 2.
There may be another mistake in the records listed in the Naval Marine Archive. Between 1873 and 1890, five ships are attributed to Master Edwin Jacob Locke, of Shelburne, Captain’s certificate 75413. This is the number on Eben’s Certificate. Edwin Jacob Locke does not turn up on the 1871 or 1881 census for Nova Scotia.
The ships: 1: Ada, #52196
2: Pactolus, #61496
3: Viola, #42735
4: Harriet Hickman, #66925
5: Sarah, #71000
In the Naval Marine Archives Edwin Jacob Locke is last listed as the Master of the Sarah, from Nov 22, 1889 – August 5, 1890, Cardiff, Wales to Sheerness, England. Another confusion arises: the Seafarers list the Sarah, #Y874033, registered in 1874 Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, with the same voyage, E J Locke as Master – but with Ebenezer James Locke’s Certificate of Competency C1754. It seems possible that Ebenezer James took over the ship for this voyage, and Ebenezer Jacob returned to Nova Scotia.
This correlates to the information on Ancestry that he died in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, ‘about 1890’, and that his widow was living with son Alphonse in New York City by 1900.
One more oddity: the 1881 Canada Census. Eben is listed in Halifax, Ward 6, a master mariner, the household including Mary, William, Alphonso and Malinda Pye (Mary’s sister). Both Eben and Malinda are listed as of ‘unsound mind’, but there is no further description of the degree of impairment. How could he have been a Master on voyages in the 1880's?
2024 postings are first, new 2025 postings follow at the end of the page.
#18 Ebenezer Jacob Locke. [edited and replaced December 1, 2024.]
Ancestry files list Ebenezer’s birthdate as 23 July, 1818, in Barry’s Point, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia. The 1881 Canada Census gives his birth year as 1821, and other records list his home as Shelburne, Lockeport and Ragged Islands. There is no longer a Lockeport Historical Society and it is hard to verify exactly where, or when, he was born.
While Eben is not listed on the Nova Scotia census of 1827, Locke family trees suggest that his father was Jacob Locke who is listed as a fisherman, cultivating 4 acres in ‘other grain’ and hay, owning 4 horned cattle, 35 sheep, 5 swine and harvested 150 potatoes [I assume the number refers to bushels, not single units].
Ebenezer married Mary Jennet Pye, of Liscomb, Nova Scotia, Nov 12, 1851. Ebenezer had no doubt been sailing for many years. He was a Captain by 1850: his ‘Master’s Certificate of Service’, #75413, issued in Liverpool England in 1868, documents 18 years as a Master in the British Merchant Service.
The Turner Pye family tree on Ancestry.ca lists that Ebenezer and Mary had seven children.
( ) brackets in family tree; [ ] my insertions.
Leonard Pye, Aug 23, 1852. [born in Liscomb, baptismal record]
Janet Eva, Oct 29, 1855. [born in Liscomb]
[Eben] James, ([Oct 10],1858). [born in Liscomb, Date on his application for US Seaman’s Protection]
Emma Darling, Nov 10, 1861. [born in Liscomb, Date on marriage registration]
Vernon Guyon, Oct 13, 1864. [named for uncle Vernon Guyon]
Sarah Elizabeth, Nov 15, 1865 [presumed deceased, Sarah is not on the 1871 census]
William Henry (1867)
Alphonso Troop, Dec 30, 1871. [born in Halifax, Date on US application for social security]
The Nova Scotia Personal Census by Ages, 1860-1, lists Eben J Locke, in Halifax polling district #5. No names of family are listed, just a household with 4 males [Eben, Leonard, Eben James, unknown] and 3 females [Mary, Eva, Emma. Mary may have returned to Liscomb for Emma’s birth].
1863 was no doubt an interesting one for Ebenezer. His brother Vernon Guyon had moved to the United States many years earlier and on the outbreak of the Civil War sided with the South. He obtained a certificate and registration to sail on the South’s behalf, as a blockade runner/privateer. In March Ebenezer met Vernon, whom he had not seen for 20 years, in Nassau and saw his papers. Later Vernon was involved in the ‘Second Chesapeake Affair’. After capturing that ship, in December he was sailing the Southeast coast of Nova Scotia, looking for supplies. Allegedly Ebenezer helped him evade capture by the Americans looking for him. In 1865 Vernon was again in Nassau, then he returned to the United States.
[The story of the Chesapeake is reported in several places on the internet. A very thorough account appears in Greg Marquis: In Armageddon’s Shadow: The Civil War and Canada’s Maritime Provinces. 1998.]
The Hutchison’s Guide of 1864/65 for Guysborough, page 319, lists Eben J Locke as a liquor dealer in Liscomb. Nova Scotia.
The Canada Census of 1871 records the family in Halifax Ward 6: Ebenezer, Mary, Eva, James, Emma, Vernon, William, and Adria [age 30, assumed to be a relative.] Street Directories for Halifax indicate Bedford; Locke, Roome and Campbell Streets. The Hopkins City Atlas of Halifax, 1878, Plate U identifies Roome St. Unfortunately, this is in the area destroyed by the Halifax Explosion of 1917.
In the Seafarers of the Atlantic Provinces, Ebenezer is listed as the owner of at least three schooners:
#1: Victoria, #H850017, registered in Halifax, Eben Jacob Locke’s residence is listed as Falkland Cove, Halifax. However, Stephen Archibald of Falkland Village, previously Fergusons Cove, suggests this may be an error, that Eben was a resident of Falkland Parish near Lunenburg. Falkland Cove may have been a 'local name' - it did not appear on Google maps.
The BAC-LAC has a schooner, Victoria, built in Bridgetown, registered in Halifax in 1838 and re registered in 1848, but no ship’s number recorded. This too may be a transcription error and may refer to Bridgewater, a more likely area for Eben to be living. Phone calls to the area have not able to resolve the confusion.
The Victoria is not listed with the Naval Marine Archive.
#2: Florence, #H851102, constructed in 1845 and registered in Halifax, but no voyage information is listed, only that there was a crew of 3.
#3: Uncle Tom, a schooner #H853144, constructed in Guysborough, 1853, and registered in Halifax. It is also registered in the BAC-LAC with official number 35938. The Naval Marine Archive remarks that it was re-registered twice: in 1859 #9031369, and 1861 #9031370 and lost near St. John’s, Newfoundland on June 13, 1868. The Uncle Tom had a crew of 2.
There may be another mistake in the records listed in the Naval Marine Archive. Between 1873 and 1890, five ships are attributed to Master Edwin Jacob Locke, of Shelburne, Captain’s certificate 75413. This is the number on Eben’s Certificate. Edwin Jacob Locke does not turn up on the 1871 or 1881 census for Nova Scotia.
The ships: 1: Ada, #52196
2: Pactolus, #61496
3: Viola, #42735
4: Harriet Hickman, #66925
5: Sarah, #71000
In the Naval Marine Archives Edwin Jacob Locke is last listed as the Master of the Sarah, from Nov 22, 1889 – August 5, 1890, Cardiff, Wales to Sheerness, England. Another confusion arises: the Seafarers list the Sarah, #Y874033, registered in 1874 Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, with the same voyage, E J Locke as Master – but with Ebenezer James Locke’s Certificate of Competency C1754. It seems possible that Ebenezer James took over the ship for this voyage, and Ebenezer Jacob returned to Nova Scotia.
This correlates to the information on Ancestry that he died in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, ‘about 1890’, and that his widow was living with son Alphonse in New York City by 1900.
One more oddity: the 1881 Canada Census. Eben is listed in Halifax, Ward 6, a master mariner, the household including Mary, William, Alphonso and Malinda Pye (Mary’s sister). Both Eben and Malinda are listed as of ‘unsound mind’, but there is no further description of the degree of impairment. How could he have been a Master on voyages in the 1880's?
#9 Ebenezer and Mary Jennet Locke’s children
The Turner Pye family tree on Ancestry lists that Ebenezer and Mary had seven children. see above.
Leonard Pye’s life story and his connection to Samuel Scott is the subject of continuing research. His story is placed after the two posting telling of Eben James' career.
Eva and Emma were married to Scott and some facts about their lives are in Captain Scott’s Scrapbook, mutinies, mining and mysteries.
Vernon Guyon, no doubt named to honour Ebenezer’s brother Vernon Guyon, the privateer during the American Civil War, is not documented on this website. His involvement in the 'Second Chesapeake Affair' in well covered on other sites.
Eben[ezer] James had a lengthy sailing career. He sailed in Europe, then relocated to the United States, became a naturalized citizen in 1901, [previously posted as 1918, corrected in post #11], lived in Alameda, CA where he died on June 2, 1942. I will post more of his story when I have been able to sort through all his ships!
William Henry is listed in the 1871 census, age 4 and 1881 census, age 14. He is not listed on the 1891 Nova Scotia census; he may have moved with his mother and Alphonso to the US in 1888 – but I found no record.
Alphonso Troop was born after the 1871 census was taken but is on the 1881 census. He immigrated to the US in 1888 and is recorded on the 1900 census as living in Queen’s with ‘widow Mary J Locke’, [his mother], occupation silk weaver. He is on the Social Security Application and Claims Index dated Aug 1937 and by the 1940 census as living at the Salvation Army. In 1950 he is unable to work and at the Salvation Army’s rehabilitation Meris Social Service Centre. He died July 25, 1957.
NB corrected death dates! They were reversed in previous posting.
#10 Eben James Locke
Genealogy sites list [Eben] James birth year as 1858; the Nova Scotia Census, 1861, lists Eben J[acob] living in Halifax with a household of 7, 4 males & 3 females. & the Canada Census of 1871 lists James age as 13, so a birth year of 1858 seems correct.
McAlpine’s Halifax Directory of 1878 lists Locke, Eben J Jr, mariner, boarding at ’13 Roome’ with Locke, Eben J, master mariner, homeowner, and Locke, Leonard, master mariner, also boarding.
Between the age of 19 [1877] and 28 [1887] he is documented on five different ships. [1885 record has the initial C instead of E.]
In the Seafarers of the Atlantic Provinces:
Pactolus: Bosun, Jan 23, in London 1877, to Cardiff, Mar 27, 1878; continuing to Havre, France, Feb 14, 1879. [Eben Jacob may have been the captain of this ship from March 12, 1877 – Jan 1, 1879
The England and Wales, civil registration marriage index records Eben James Locke and Mary Ellen Simons married in London, February 23, 1879,
Seafarer’s:
Peru: 1st Mate, Aug 5, 1879 - Nov 25, 1879, from Galway, Ireland to London, England
Royal Charley: 1st Mate May 14, 1880 – Dec 15, 1880, from Cardiff, Wales to Galveston, Texas. Discharge due to ill health. He is listed on the 1881 Crew list for Royal Charley, with Captain H C Crosby. As with the James Scott crew lists, this ship also notes ‘no spirits allowed’. [Samuel Scott was captain of the Royal Charley Sept 3, 1879 – May 1, 1880.]
Piskataqua: [as C J Locke]1st Mate, June 18, 1885 – August 17, 1885, London, England – Montreal, Canada
Karoo: 1st Mate, Sept 28, 1887 – Dec 20, 1887, Antwerp, Belgium to Antwerp, Belgium.
On August 20, 1890 Eben filed a'petition for divorce’ from Mary Ellen, [co-respondent Frank King] in England, and it was granted June 9, 1891. In 1893 he married Maud Mary Yearsley in Cardiff, registered in the Jul/Aug/Sep quarter.
Eben and Maud had a long life together, from marriage until Eben’s death in 1942. There will be another post recounting their move to the United States and documenting their life there.
Genealogy sites list [Eben] James birth year as 1858; the Nova Scotia Census, 1861, lists Eben J[acob] living in Halifax with a household of 7, 4 males & 3 females. & the Canada Census of 1871 lists James age as 13, so a birth year of 1858 seems correct.
McAlpine’s Halifax Directory of 1878 lists Locke, Eben J Jr, mariner, boarding at ’13 Roome’ with Locke, Eben J, master mariner, homeowner, and Locke, Leonard, master mariner, also boarding.
Between the age of 19 [1877] and 28 [1887] he is documented on five different ships. [1885 record has the initial C instead of E.]
In the Seafarers of the Atlantic Provinces:
Pactolus: Bosun, Jan 23, in London 1877, to Cardiff, Mar 27, 1878; continuing to Havre, France, Feb 14, 1879. [Eben Jacob may have been the captain of this ship from March 12, 1877 – Jan 1, 1879
The England and Wales, civil registration marriage index records Eben James Locke and Mary Ellen Simons married in London, February 23, 1879,
Seafarer’s:
Peru: 1st Mate, Aug 5, 1879 - Nov 25, 1879, from Galway, Ireland to London, England
Royal Charley: 1st Mate May 14, 1880 – Dec 15, 1880, from Cardiff, Wales to Galveston, Texas. Discharge due to ill health. He is listed on the 1881 Crew list for Royal Charley, with Captain H C Crosby. As with the James Scott crew lists, this ship also notes ‘no spirits allowed’. [Samuel Scott was captain of the Royal Charley Sept 3, 1879 – May 1, 1880.]
Piskataqua: [as C J Locke]1st Mate, June 18, 1885 – August 17, 1885, London, England – Montreal, Canada
Karoo: 1st Mate, Sept 28, 1887 – Dec 20, 1887, Antwerp, Belgium to Antwerp, Belgium.
On August 20, 1890 Eben filed a'petition for divorce’ from Mary Ellen, [co-respondent Frank King] in England, and it was granted June 9, 1891. In 1893 he married Maud Mary Yearsley in Cardiff, registered in the Jul/Aug/Sep quarter.
Eben and Maud had a long life together, from marriage until Eben’s death in 1942. There will be another post recounting their move to the United States and documenting their life there.
#11 More on Eben James and Maud
Eben married Maud Mary Yearsley in Llandaff, Glamorganshire, [Cardiff District], Wales, Sept. 14th, 1894. Eben, 33, resident of [Cadoxton Junction] Barry, is identified as a widower and Master Mariner; Maud, 29, of Llandaff as a widow with no ’rank or profession’. Eben is on the 1901 census, Master on board the vessel Kinross, at the dock in Penarth, Glamorgan.
Eben Locke is recorded on a crew list of the Landscer, arriving in Boston, Massachusetts in 1904, but I could not find any other records of the Landscer and cannot confirm that this ‘my’ Eben Locke.
The next record is Capt. Eben James Locke, married, master mariner, sailing on the Lusitania, from Liverpool, England and arriving in New York on Dec 24, 1909 [By this date his mother and brother Alphonso are living in Queen’s New York. I wonder if they had a family Christmas celebration?]
I have found no more records until 1916 when he is listed as 1st Officer on the Santa Maria, sailing from Honolulu on September 29, arriving in California on October 8. This crew list also records E J Locke as ‘deck boy’, 13 years of age. Both are US Citizens, young Eben born in the US. Maud is not on the list [but there may be a second page that I have not seen].
On March 11, 1918 Eben applied for a Seaman’s Protection Certificate, in San Francisco. His photograph is attached to the application. There seems to be an error on the page, as it records him as coming to the US in 1858 [his birth year] with the intention of becoming a naturalized US citizen. More reliable are the lines that he became a citizen on November 25, 1901 and has lived in San Francisco for the past 17 years.
From June to September 1920, Eben was Master of the S M Spalding, an [oil] ‘tanker’, sailing between Tempico, [Mexico], and Galveston, Texas. Most interesting to me is that on the June voyage M Locke, age 50, born in GB, and ‘nationality’ USA, height 5’5” is listed as a ‘stewards’. In September both Maud, stewardess, and E J jr [Quarter Master] 17, US citizen, 5’9” have joined Eben, 5’6”, still the Master of the ship. and mis identified as being born in the US.
To find the end of Eben’s story I had to turn to the San Francisco City Directories and the US Voters Registrations. The family lived in Alameda, Oakland, San Francisco.
As early as 1913 he is registered as a Republican, living at 233 Eddy, [another transcription error - really 238], a Master Mariner.
In 1924 he is living at 1302 76th St, listed as a ‘ship carpenter’, and ‘declined to declare his party’. From 1925 to 1942, living at 919 12th Street, Alameda, a Republican. By 1930 Eben Jr is also a voter, also Republican. Maud is interesting. She joins the 1930 list, also Republican, then in 1936 and 1940 declares Democrat. In 1942 she declares Republican. I have to wonder what influenced her voting decisions, were there ‘interesting discussion’ at home?
Eben is listed as retired on the 1926 voters list; Maud as ‘no occupation’ or housewife on all lists and Eben jr as a student and by 1936 a grocer. He is on both the 1930 and 1940 US census living in Oakland, Alameda, CA with wife Maude Mary and son Eben J.
The US Death Index lists his death as June 2 , 1942. Following her husband’s death Maud, housewife, and Eben jr, grocer, continue to live at 919 12th St
Eben married Maud Mary Yearsley in Llandaff, Glamorganshire, [Cardiff District], Wales, Sept. 14th, 1894. Eben, 33, resident of [Cadoxton Junction] Barry, is identified as a widower and Master Mariner; Maud, 29, of Llandaff as a widow with no ’rank or profession’. Eben is on the 1901 census, Master on board the vessel Kinross, at the dock in Penarth, Glamorgan.
Eben Locke is recorded on a crew list of the Landscer, arriving in Boston, Massachusetts in 1904, but I could not find any other records of the Landscer and cannot confirm that this ‘my’ Eben Locke.
The next record is Capt. Eben James Locke, married, master mariner, sailing on the Lusitania, from Liverpool, England and arriving in New York on Dec 24, 1909 [By this date his mother and brother Alphonso are living in Queen’s New York. I wonder if they had a family Christmas celebration?]
I have found no more records until 1916 when he is listed as 1st Officer on the Santa Maria, sailing from Honolulu on September 29, arriving in California on October 8. This crew list also records E J Locke as ‘deck boy’, 13 years of age. Both are US Citizens, young Eben born in the US. Maud is not on the list [but there may be a second page that I have not seen].
On March 11, 1918 Eben applied for a Seaman’s Protection Certificate, in San Francisco. His photograph is attached to the application. There seems to be an error on the page, as it records him as coming to the US in 1858 [his birth year] with the intention of becoming a naturalized US citizen. More reliable are the lines that he became a citizen on November 25, 1901 and has lived in San Francisco for the past 17 years.
From June to September 1920, Eben was Master of the S M Spalding, an [oil] ‘tanker’, sailing between Tempico, [Mexico], and Galveston, Texas. Most interesting to me is that on the June voyage M Locke, age 50, born in GB, and ‘nationality’ USA, height 5’5” is listed as a ‘stewards’. In September both Maud, stewardess, and E J jr [Quarter Master] 17, US citizen, 5’9” have joined Eben, 5’6”, still the Master of the ship. and mis identified as being born in the US.
To find the end of Eben’s story I had to turn to the San Francisco City Directories and the US Voters Registrations. The family lived in Alameda, Oakland, San Francisco.
As early as 1913 he is registered as a Republican, living at 233 Eddy, [another transcription error - really 238], a Master Mariner.
In 1924 he is living at 1302 76th St, listed as a ‘ship carpenter’, and ‘declined to declare his party’. From 1925 to 1942, living at 919 12th Street, Alameda, a Republican. By 1930 Eben Jr is also a voter, also Republican. Maud is interesting. She joins the 1930 list, also Republican, then in 1936 and 1940 declares Democrat. In 1942 she declares Republican. I have to wonder what influenced her voting decisions, were there ‘interesting discussion’ at home?
Eben is listed as retired on the 1926 voters list; Maud as ‘no occupation’ or housewife on all lists and Eben jr as a student and by 1936 a grocer. He is on both the 1930 and 1940 US census living in Oakland, Alameda, CA with wife Maude Mary and son Eben J.
The US Death Index lists his death as June 2 , 1942. Following her husband’s death Maud, housewife, and Eben jr, grocer, continue to live at 919 12th St
#6 Leonard Pye Locke
If you live on the West Coast of Canada, or in Alaska between Juneau and Skagway, you have probably heard the name Leonard Pye Locke. He was the Captain of the Canadian Pacific Steamship Princess Sophia when it sunk in the Lynn Canal in October 1918, the worst maritime disaster on coast. If you live in Eastern Canada, you probably have not heard of Locke, born in Nova Scotia, baptized in Liscomb, who lived some of his life in Halifax. I live in Ontario, no connection to either coast, but I grew up on the story: Leonard Pye Locke was my great-grandfather.
Unfortunately, the Sophia is the only part of his story told to his great-grandchildren. His daughter Emily, my grandmother, never talked about her family. Once for a school project I asked where she had been born, expecting to hear, ‘Victoria, BC’. Instead, I heard ‘Antwerp, Belgium’. ‘You are from Belgium?’ ‘No, I am a British citizen.’ ‘Why were you born in Belgium?’ Because my father was a Captain and sailed there.’ Of course, I knew that, but before I could ask another question, she changed to the topic she was most interested in: her career as a singer and actress.
Thus, it was all new information when I learned of the Locke family’s connection to Captain Scott and their arrival on the West Coast, Leonard in 1891 and Emily (his wife) and their five children following in 1892. And I realized that I knew nothing about Leonard ’before the Sophia’. So, in addition to Samuel’s story, I also began to look into Leonard’s life.
Gradually gaps are being filled in and I hope to write a full article in the future. Leonard is on the Nova Scotia census of 1861, living in Halifax with the family. He was still there in 1868, a member of the Halifax Naval Brigade. In 1873 he sailed with Scott on the Tempo. By 1876 he was in the UK and in November married Samuel Friend’s widow Emily (nee Puttock). The couple may have come to Canada for a brief time, (or maybe Emily remained in England); Lloyd’s lists him as a Captain (Halifax) 1877, and McAlpine’s Halifax Directory of 1878 lists him as a master mariner at ’13 Roome’ sharing with Eben J, master mariner; Eben J Jr, mariner.
Leonard was back in Europe, with Emily, in the early 1879’s, joined the Red Star Line in [1882] to 1889, then somehow reconnected with Scott, and sailed with him from Liverpool on the West Indian in December 1890. Emily and the four children must also have come to Liverpool – son Frederick Scott Locke was born there March 18, 1891.
I am still working on collecting information about Leonard’s ships, on the east coast, in Europe and the west coast. There is much more to his story!
If you live on the West Coast of Canada, or in Alaska between Juneau and Skagway, you have probably heard the name Leonard Pye Locke. He was the Captain of the Canadian Pacific Steamship Princess Sophia when it sunk in the Lynn Canal in October 1918, the worst maritime disaster on coast. If you live in Eastern Canada, you probably have not heard of Locke, born in Nova Scotia, baptized in Liscomb, who lived some of his life in Halifax. I live in Ontario, no connection to either coast, but I grew up on the story: Leonard Pye Locke was my great-grandfather.
Unfortunately, the Sophia is the only part of his story told to his great-grandchildren. His daughter Emily, my grandmother, never talked about her family. Once for a school project I asked where she had been born, expecting to hear, ‘Victoria, BC’. Instead, I heard ‘Antwerp, Belgium’. ‘You are from Belgium?’ ‘No, I am a British citizen.’ ‘Why were you born in Belgium?’ Because my father was a Captain and sailed there.’ Of course, I knew that, but before I could ask another question, she changed to the topic she was most interested in: her career as a singer and actress.
Thus, it was all new information when I learned of the Locke family’s connection to Captain Scott and their arrival on the West Coast, Leonard in 1891 and Emily (his wife) and their five children following in 1892. And I realized that I knew nothing about Leonard ’before the Sophia’. So, in addition to Samuel’s story, I also began to look into Leonard’s life.
Gradually gaps are being filled in and I hope to write a full article in the future. Leonard is on the Nova Scotia census of 1861, living in Halifax with the family. He was still there in 1868, a member of the Halifax Naval Brigade. In 1873 he sailed with Scott on the Tempo. By 1876 he was in the UK and in November married Samuel Friend’s widow Emily (nee Puttock). The couple may have come to Canada for a brief time, (or maybe Emily remained in England); Lloyd’s lists him as a Captain (Halifax) 1877, and McAlpine’s Halifax Directory of 1878 lists him as a master mariner at ’13 Roome’ sharing with Eben J, master mariner; Eben J Jr, mariner.
Leonard was back in Europe, with Emily, in the early 1879’s, joined the Red Star Line in [1882] to 1889, then somehow reconnected with Scott, and sailed with him from Liverpool on the West Indian in December 1890. Emily and the four children must also have come to Liverpool – son Frederick Scott Locke was born there March 18, 1891.
I am still working on collecting information about Leonard’s ships, on the east coast, in Europe and the west coast. There is much more to his story!
#13: The Locke Family, Street Addresses
Knowing where Locke family members lived seemed an important aspect of the story of who they were and how they lived.
Ebenezer Jacob Locke:
Unfortunately, street addresses are not always easy to find. The Hutchison’s Guide of 1864/65 for Guysborough, page 319 lists Eben J Locke as a liquor dealer in Liscomb. Nova Scotia. Both the 1871 and 1881 Canada census list Ebenezer Jacob Locke’s address as Halifax, Ward 6. Street Directories for Halifax indicate Bedford, and Locke, Roome and Campbell Streets. The Hopkins City Atlas of Halifax, 1878, Plate U identifies Roome St. Unfortunately, this is the area destroyed by the Halifax Explosion 1917 and I could not be sure of other addresses.
Ebenezer James Locke:
After moving to the United States, Eben James moved to the San Francisco area, Oakland/Alameda. Not all City Directories are available online. In 1903 his address was 610 Golden Gate Ave., 1908 and 09 the Ferry Building, then in 1913 his family was at 238 Eddy St. In 1924 they were on 76th Street, finally settling at 919 12th street until Eben died in 1942; Eben James Jr and Maude continue to live in that home until at least 1944.
The 238 Eddy Street address lead to another search. In the 1913 transcribed version the address was 233 Eddy, but Eben and Maude are also listed as ‘props’ for the Windsor Hotel at 238 Eddy. Looking at the page in the original Directory it is obvious that AI misread the blurred street number: Eben and Maude are at 238 – the address of the hotel. What caused them to give up life at sea and run a hotel?
I found an ad for the Windsor in the San Francisco Call of 1911, describing a ‘new’ large and elegant establishment. In 1999 the hotel was run by San Francisco Housing and is now part DISH. That website hints of an interesting history: It’s said that during prohibition the Windsor was a regular commercial hotel and home to a speak-easy tucked away in the below-ground basement. Whether these stories are myth or fact, it can’t be denied that there are subtle signs these rumors may be true, with old portraits and paintings crumbling from the basement walls, and interesting brick architecture in that dark and mysterious part of this century-old hotel.
https://dishsf.org
I have sent an email to the San Francisco Historical Society asking if there are any other resources to the discover the history of the hotel and Eben and Maude’s time there.
Knowing where Locke family members lived seemed an important aspect of the story of who they were and how they lived.
Ebenezer Jacob Locke:
Unfortunately, street addresses are not always easy to find. The Hutchison’s Guide of 1864/65 for Guysborough, page 319 lists Eben J Locke as a liquor dealer in Liscomb. Nova Scotia. Both the 1871 and 1881 Canada census list Ebenezer Jacob Locke’s address as Halifax, Ward 6. Street Directories for Halifax indicate Bedford, and Locke, Roome and Campbell Streets. The Hopkins City Atlas of Halifax, 1878, Plate U identifies Roome St. Unfortunately, this is the area destroyed by the Halifax Explosion 1917 and I could not be sure of other addresses.
Ebenezer James Locke:
After moving to the United States, Eben James moved to the San Francisco area, Oakland/Alameda. Not all City Directories are available online. In 1903 his address was 610 Golden Gate Ave., 1908 and 09 the Ferry Building, then in 1913 his family was at 238 Eddy St. In 1924 they were on 76th Street, finally settling at 919 12th street until Eben died in 1942; Eben James Jr and Maude continue to live in that home until at least 1944.
The 238 Eddy Street address lead to another search. In the 1913 transcribed version the address was 233 Eddy, but Eben and Maude are also listed as ‘props’ for the Windsor Hotel at 238 Eddy. Looking at the page in the original Directory it is obvious that AI misread the blurred street number: Eben and Maude are at 238 – the address of the hotel. What caused them to give up life at sea and run a hotel?
I found an ad for the Windsor in the San Francisco Call of 1911, describing a ‘new’ large and elegant establishment. In 1999 the hotel was run by San Francisco Housing and is now part DISH. That website hints of an interesting history: It’s said that during prohibition the Windsor was a regular commercial hotel and home to a speak-easy tucked away in the below-ground basement. Whether these stories are myth or fact, it can’t be denied that there are subtle signs these rumors may be true, with old portraits and paintings crumbling from the basement walls, and interesting brick architecture in that dark and mysterious part of this century-old hotel.
https://dishsf.org
I have sent an email to the San Francisco Historical Society asking if there are any other resources to the discover the history of the hotel and Eben and Maude’s time there.
#14 Leonard Pye Locke
The Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island records that Leonard Pye, son of Eben Jacob and Mary Janet Locke of Liscomb Harbour, was born August 20 and baptized on December 26, 1852. How long the Locke family stayed in Liscomb is hard to determine. The 1861 census lists Eben Jacob in Halifax, but the Henderson’s Guide of 1864/5 lists him as a liquor dealer in Liscomb.
1868: 1. Eben’s Captain’s certificate renewal is dated January 20, 1868, in Liverpool, England. 2. Eben’s ship the Uncle Tom was lost on June 13, 1868, near St. John’s, Newfoundland, [he was the owner, but he may not have been sailing it]. 3. In an account of the sinking of the Princess Sophia in October 1918, the Times Colonist of Victoria writes that Leonard ‘at the early age of sixteen [1868], he went to sea in a windjammer under the command of his father. 4. By November 9, 1868, Leonard is in Halifax and on the ‘Nominal Rolls and Paylists for the Volunteer Militia, Halifax Naval Brigade’, paid $8 for 8 ‘days drill performed’.
Leonard is not listed with Eben’s family in Halifax on the 1871 Canada census; he was with Captain Scott in 1873 on the Tempo. I have no record of Leonard from 1874 until Nov 22, 1876, when he married Emily Friend, nee Puttock, widow of Samuel Friend, in St. Andrew’s Holborn, Middlesex, England. Leonard must have returned to Canada, with or without Emily; he joined the crew of the Julia Lingley on March 13, 1877, in Saint John, New Brunswick and was discharged at the end of the voyage, in Dublin, Ireland on April 26, 1877. Between June and August, 1877 he sailed from Greenoch, Scotland to Quebec City, on the Joseph Milberry. He is listed in McAlpine’s Halifax in 1878 as boarding at his father’s, with his brother Eben James, at 13 Roome St.
The Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island records that Leonard Pye, son of Eben Jacob and Mary Janet Locke of Liscomb Harbour, was born August 20 and baptized on December 26, 1852. How long the Locke family stayed in Liscomb is hard to determine. The 1861 census lists Eben Jacob in Halifax, but the Henderson’s Guide of 1864/5 lists him as a liquor dealer in Liscomb.
1868: 1. Eben’s Captain’s certificate renewal is dated January 20, 1868, in Liverpool, England. 2. Eben’s ship the Uncle Tom was lost on June 13, 1868, near St. John’s, Newfoundland, [he was the owner, but he may not have been sailing it]. 3. In an account of the sinking of the Princess Sophia in October 1918, the Times Colonist of Victoria writes that Leonard ‘at the early age of sixteen [1868], he went to sea in a windjammer under the command of his father. 4. By November 9, 1868, Leonard is in Halifax and on the ‘Nominal Rolls and Paylists for the Volunteer Militia, Halifax Naval Brigade’, paid $8 for 8 ‘days drill performed’.
Leonard is not listed with Eben’s family in Halifax on the 1871 Canada census; he was with Captain Scott in 1873 on the Tempo. I have no record of Leonard from 1874 until Nov 22, 1876, when he married Emily Friend, nee Puttock, widow of Samuel Friend, in St. Andrew’s Holborn, Middlesex, England. Leonard must have returned to Canada, with or without Emily; he joined the crew of the Julia Lingley on March 13, 1877, in Saint John, New Brunswick and was discharged at the end of the voyage, in Dublin, Ireland on April 26, 1877. Between June and August, 1877 he sailed from Greenoch, Scotland to Quebec City, on the Joseph Milberry. He is listed in McAlpine’s Halifax in 1878 as boarding at his father’s, with his brother Eben James, at 13 Roome St.
#15 Leonard Pye Locke 1877 - 1880
The BAC-LAC ship registrations list two Maggie Carvill ships, one with the initial L [item 43044] and one with an R, [item 43990] both with the same official # 64467. The Seafarer’s records use L and #J870049 ; the Naval Marine Archive use R and #64467.
Maggie L/R Carvill was built in Dorchester, and registered in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1870, a barque, owned by Wm. Hickman of Dorchester, NB. The Naval Marine Archive lists 26 voyages, before being abandoned March 9, 1886. The registry closed April 10, 1886. Leonard sailed as 1st Mate on voyages 15 – 20.
Leonard joined the Maggie L Carvill on October 23, 1877, in Dublin, Ireland, and was discharged at the end of the voyage in Antwerp, Belgium on Feb 9, 1878. He was back on the ship on February 22, 1878, left Antwerp and sailed across the Atlantic. In April/May it visited Philadelphia, then returned to Antwerp June 12, 1878. He was again discharged, then rejoined in Antwerp on July 3, 1878, sailed to Ramsgate, Kent, England, then across the Atlantic to Philadelphia and back to Antwerp, arriving December 18, 1878. [Voyages 15, 16, 17]
In McAlpine’s 1878 Leonard is listed as boarding with his brother Eben James at his father’s, [Eben Jacob, a master mariner,] home, 13 Roome St., Halifax. There is no listing for Mary or Emily, maybe ‘dependent’ women were not recognized. It is also possible that Emily had remained in Europe and did not sail with Leonard – he was Crew, 1st mate, not Captain. When was McAlpine’s information collected? Leonard appears to be in Europe or on the Maggie L Carvill for most of 1878. McAlpine’s listings may be based on 1877.
The couple’s first child, a son, Leonard Vincent was born September 11, 1879, [presumed in Liverpool]. A month later, Leonard was on the Maggie L Carvill, [voyage 18], joining the ship in Hamburg, Germany on October 7, 1879 and arriving in Liverpool, England February 7, 1880.
Leonard Vincent baptized February 15, 1880, in Liverpool. The listed address is 15 Kent Square. This address has disappeared, there is Kent Street which has probably replaced it, old Liverpool photos are identified as Kent Square and show apartment style buildings.
[Voyage 19], On March 20, 1880, Leonard leaves Barrow, England, crosses the Atlantic again, to New York City, then returns to Antwerp, Belgium, August 16, 1880.
Leonard Vincent's death is registered at Greenwich, in the third quarter of 1880; his burial taking place July 28, in Lewisham, London, England.
Leonard leaves again on August 7, 1880, from Antwerp, arrives in New York City, USA, November 10, 1880, discharged by mutual consent.
The BAC-LAC ship registrations list two Maggie Carvill ships, one with the initial L [item 43044] and one with an R, [item 43990] both with the same official # 64467. The Seafarer’s records use L and #J870049 ; the Naval Marine Archive use R and #64467.
Maggie L/R Carvill was built in Dorchester, and registered in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1870, a barque, owned by Wm. Hickman of Dorchester, NB. The Naval Marine Archive lists 26 voyages, before being abandoned March 9, 1886. The registry closed April 10, 1886. Leonard sailed as 1st Mate on voyages 15 – 20.
Leonard joined the Maggie L Carvill on October 23, 1877, in Dublin, Ireland, and was discharged at the end of the voyage in Antwerp, Belgium on Feb 9, 1878. He was back on the ship on February 22, 1878, left Antwerp and sailed across the Atlantic. In April/May it visited Philadelphia, then returned to Antwerp June 12, 1878. He was again discharged, then rejoined in Antwerp on July 3, 1878, sailed to Ramsgate, Kent, England, then across the Atlantic to Philadelphia and back to Antwerp, arriving December 18, 1878. [Voyages 15, 16, 17]
In McAlpine’s 1878 Leonard is listed as boarding with his brother Eben James at his father’s, [Eben Jacob, a master mariner,] home, 13 Roome St., Halifax. There is no listing for Mary or Emily, maybe ‘dependent’ women were not recognized. It is also possible that Emily had remained in Europe and did not sail with Leonard – he was Crew, 1st mate, not Captain. When was McAlpine’s information collected? Leonard appears to be in Europe or on the Maggie L Carvill for most of 1878. McAlpine’s listings may be based on 1877.
The couple’s first child, a son, Leonard Vincent was born September 11, 1879, [presumed in Liverpool]. A month later, Leonard was on the Maggie L Carvill, [voyage 18], joining the ship in Hamburg, Germany on October 7, 1879 and arriving in Liverpool, England February 7, 1880.
Leonard Vincent baptized February 15, 1880, in Liverpool. The listed address is 15 Kent Square. This address has disappeared, there is Kent Street which has probably replaced it, old Liverpool photos are identified as Kent Square and show apartment style buildings.
[Voyage 19], On March 20, 1880, Leonard leaves Barrow, England, crosses the Atlantic again, to New York City, then returns to Antwerp, Belgium, August 16, 1880.
Leonard Vincent's death is registered at Greenwich, in the third quarter of 1880; his burial taking place July 28, in Lewisham, London, England.
Leonard leaves again on August 7, 1880, from Antwerp, arrives in New York City, USA, November 10, 1880, discharged by mutual consent.
#16 Leonard Pye Locke 1880 - 1883
While Leonard sailed on the Maggie Carvill as 1st Mate, he did in fact, probably have his Canadian Master’s Certificate of Competency. The Lloyd’s Index of Captains lists him with: C960, Halifax, 1877. He left the Joseph Milberry in Quebec City in June 1877 and joined the Maggie Carvill in October in Dublin. This timing does allow time for him to write his Captain’s examination in Halifax and be boarding at his father’s home at 13 Roome St. It seems doubtful the Emily was with him.
The first record discovered listing Leonard as a Captain is on the Sarah M Smith in the Seafarers of the Atlantic Provinces accounts, voyages 25 – 30, September 30, 1880 – May 12, 1883. The BAC-LAC Ship Registration database has no record of the Sarah M Smith. The Seafarers of the Atlantic Provinces list it as a Barque, registered in Saint John NB, #J869062. The Naval Marine Archive records it with #358262.
Leonard’s last voyage on the Maggie Carvill was August 27, 1880; he joined the ship in Antwerp and was discharged in New York City November 10, 1880, the same day he joined the Sarah M Smith.
[Voyage #25] The ship departed Liverpool September 19, 1880; Leonard joined the ship as Captain in Philadelphia, USA on November 10, 1880; it arrived in Bristol, England, January 12, 1881.
[Voyage 26] The ship sailed from Bristol, England January 29, 1881, stopped in Cardiff, Wales, crossed the Atlantic to New York and returned to Liverpool May 10, 1881. There is a note added to the Crew Agreement: ‘1 death,’ but no name given.
Their daughter, Eva Malinda was born April 19, 1881, baptized May 29, Liverpool, residence listed as 5 Edale Rd., Deptford [Lewisham, London]. She must have been conceived during his short visit between the Maggie Carvill voyages #19 and 20, in August 1880.
[Voyage 27] Four days after Eva’s baptism, Leonard is back at sea sailing from Liverpool on June 2, 1881, returning to Liverpool September 28, 1881. It seems Emily must have been sailing with him. ‘findmypast.on.uk’ shows there are records for Eva Malinda Locke, death at sea, 1881. ‘Deceased Online’ notes her burial October 5, 1881, Lewisham. Leonard Vincent was also buried in Lewisham.
[Voyages 28] Started in Liverpool October 27, 1881, and finished in Rotterdam, Netherlands June 14, 1882; after crossing to New York.
Leonard retired from the Sarah M Smith June 10, 1882. His next employer would be the Red Star Line, Antwerp, Belgium. Emily settled in Antwerp and their daughter Emily Mary was born there November 29, 1882.
[Voyage 29] The Sarah M Smith left Rotterdam July 8, 1882, and returned November 29, 1882, again after crossing to New York.
[Voyage 30] started in Rotterdam, crossed to New York, and finished in Dunkirk, France May 12, 1883.
The ship was sighted abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean, off Long Island, New York on November 4, 1883.
While Leonard sailed on the Maggie Carvill as 1st Mate, he did in fact, probably have his Canadian Master’s Certificate of Competency. The Lloyd’s Index of Captains lists him with: C960, Halifax, 1877. He left the Joseph Milberry in Quebec City in June 1877 and joined the Maggie Carvill in October in Dublin. This timing does allow time for him to write his Captain’s examination in Halifax and be boarding at his father’s home at 13 Roome St. It seems doubtful the Emily was with him.
The first record discovered listing Leonard as a Captain is on the Sarah M Smith in the Seafarers of the Atlantic Provinces accounts, voyages 25 – 30, September 30, 1880 – May 12, 1883. The BAC-LAC Ship Registration database has no record of the Sarah M Smith. The Seafarers of the Atlantic Provinces list it as a Barque, registered in Saint John NB, #J869062. The Naval Marine Archive records it with #358262.
Leonard’s last voyage on the Maggie Carvill was August 27, 1880; he joined the ship in Antwerp and was discharged in New York City November 10, 1880, the same day he joined the Sarah M Smith.
[Voyage #25] The ship departed Liverpool September 19, 1880; Leonard joined the ship as Captain in Philadelphia, USA on November 10, 1880; it arrived in Bristol, England, January 12, 1881.
[Voyage 26] The ship sailed from Bristol, England January 29, 1881, stopped in Cardiff, Wales, crossed the Atlantic to New York and returned to Liverpool May 10, 1881. There is a note added to the Crew Agreement: ‘1 death,’ but no name given.
Their daughter, Eva Malinda was born April 19, 1881, baptized May 29, Liverpool, residence listed as 5 Edale Rd., Deptford [Lewisham, London]. She must have been conceived during his short visit between the Maggie Carvill voyages #19 and 20, in August 1880.
[Voyage 27] Four days after Eva’s baptism, Leonard is back at sea sailing from Liverpool on June 2, 1881, returning to Liverpool September 28, 1881. It seems Emily must have been sailing with him. ‘findmypast.on.uk’ shows there are records for Eva Malinda Locke, death at sea, 1881. ‘Deceased Online’ notes her burial October 5, 1881, Lewisham. Leonard Vincent was also buried in Lewisham.
[Voyages 28] Started in Liverpool October 27, 1881, and finished in Rotterdam, Netherlands June 14, 1882; after crossing to New York.
Leonard retired from the Sarah M Smith June 10, 1882. His next employer would be the Red Star Line, Antwerp, Belgium. Emily settled in Antwerp and their daughter Emily Mary was born there November 29, 1882.
[Voyage 29] The Sarah M Smith left Rotterdam July 8, 1882, and returned November 29, 1882, again after crossing to New York.
[Voyage 30] started in Rotterdam, crossed to New York, and finished in Dunkirk, France May 12, 1883.
The ship was sighted abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean, off Long Island, New York on November 4, 1883.
#17 Leonard Pye Locke 1883 - 1890
Leonard must have started with the Red Star line in 1882, no doubt shortly after he left the Sarah M Smith. Founded in 1873, the company had a fleet of immigration ships traveling from Antwerp to New York, and then in 1881 starting a weekly service from Antwerp to Philadelphia.
From redstarline.eu
“Between 1873 and 1935 the Red Star Line shipping company transported almost three million people with their life packed in a few cases and full of expectations from Antwerp to America and Canada the promised land for fortune seekers and everyone looking for a better life.
The buildings of the Red Star Line, still exist. They were in very bad shape, until the town council of Antwerp decided to purchase the Red Star Line buildings at the location called "t'eilandje" from the Antwerp Port Authority in 2005 to restore the building in their original state. They are located in Antwerp near the Scheldt (river), from where the ships set off on the transatlantic voyage.
It remains a place of remembrance, a "lieu de mémoire" for the millions of emigrants who set out for a new life in the States via Antwerp.”
The museum website focuses on the stories of immigration, especially in the 1900’s. While there is a list of ships from the 1873 on, I could find a list of Captains. My email to the Red Star Line was not answered.
Four of the couple’s children were born in Antwerp:
Emily Mary, November 29, 1882
William Leonard, May 18, 1884
Elizabeth Jeanette, June 6, 1887, baptized Jun 23, 1887
James Eben, June 4, 1888
I have no exact date of when the Lockes left Antwerp and moved to Liverpool, probably in 1890 as Leonard left with Samuel Scott on the West Indian in December 1890. Emily must have been pregnant at the time, Frederick Scott Locke was born March 18, 1891, in Liverpool. Emily is listed with the 5 children on the England census taken April 2, 1891.
The West Indian arrived in British Columbia in February 1891. Leonard is listed on the Canada census 1891: British Columbia, 2 – New Westminster, C 6 Vancouver City. Unfortunately, the transcription has his last name misspelt as ‘Looke’. Emily and the children joined him in 1892.
Leonard must have started with the Red Star line in 1882, no doubt shortly after he left the Sarah M Smith. Founded in 1873, the company had a fleet of immigration ships traveling from Antwerp to New York, and then in 1881 starting a weekly service from Antwerp to Philadelphia.
From redstarline.eu
“Between 1873 and 1935 the Red Star Line shipping company transported almost three million people with their life packed in a few cases and full of expectations from Antwerp to America and Canada the promised land for fortune seekers and everyone looking for a better life.
The buildings of the Red Star Line, still exist. They were in very bad shape, until the town council of Antwerp decided to purchase the Red Star Line buildings at the location called "t'eilandje" from the Antwerp Port Authority in 2005 to restore the building in their original state. They are located in Antwerp near the Scheldt (river), from where the ships set off on the transatlantic voyage.
It remains a place of remembrance, a "lieu de mémoire" for the millions of emigrants who set out for a new life in the States via Antwerp.”
The museum website focuses on the stories of immigration, especially in the 1900’s. While there is a list of ships from the 1873 on, I could find a list of Captains. My email to the Red Star Line was not answered.
Four of the couple’s children were born in Antwerp:
Emily Mary, November 29, 1882
William Leonard, May 18, 1884
Elizabeth Jeanette, June 6, 1887, baptized Jun 23, 1887
James Eben, June 4, 1888
I have no exact date of when the Lockes left Antwerp and moved to Liverpool, probably in 1890 as Leonard left with Samuel Scott on the West Indian in December 1890. Emily must have been pregnant at the time, Frederick Scott Locke was born March 18, 1891, in Liverpool. Emily is listed with the 5 children on the England census taken April 2, 1891.
The West Indian arrived in British Columbia in February 1891. Leonard is listed on the Canada census 1891: British Columbia, 2 – New Westminster, C 6 Vancouver City. Unfortunately, the transcription has his last name misspelt as ‘Looke’. Emily and the children joined him in 1892.
#19 Leonard Pye Locke 1891 - 1906
Although it is not documented, he is not mentioned by name in the correspondence, it is probable that Leonard sailed with Captain Scott on the West Indian until it sank in March 1892. Scott continued to attend to business on shore, then turned to gold mining in the Princeton area.
The 1894 Henderson’s Directory lists Leonard’s address as 57 1/2 Superior, by 1899 the family has moved to 30 Churchway. Leonard was Master of the Tugboat Lorne, then was employed by the Canadian Pacific Steamships, mainly the Amur, but also trips on the steamer Tess, a pilot on the Princess May in 1902/03, then master on the Princess Beatrice and the Princess Royal.
He was also an active member of the community, in 1906 he was a member of the Life Boat Workers Committee, and was listed in a long list of names nominating Hon Wm Templeman for a Federal seat. Also in 1906, he is listed as having a building permit for a two story house on Cook St., Victoria.
Although it is not documented, he is not mentioned by name in the correspondence, it is probable that Leonard sailed with Captain Scott on the West Indian until it sank in March 1892. Scott continued to attend to business on shore, then turned to gold mining in the Princeton area.
The 1894 Henderson’s Directory lists Leonard’s address as 57 1/2 Superior, by 1899 the family has moved to 30 Churchway. Leonard was Master of the Tugboat Lorne, then was employed by the Canadian Pacific Steamships, mainly the Amur, but also trips on the steamer Tess, a pilot on the Princess May in 1902/03, then master on the Princess Beatrice and the Princess Royal.
He was also an active member of the community, in 1906 he was a member of the Life Boat Workers Committee, and was listed in a long list of names nominating Hon Wm Templeman for a Federal seat. Also in 1906, he is listed as having a building permit for a two story house on Cook St., Victoria.
# 20 Leonard Pye Locke: 1908
Leonard’s family descended from the Locke’s of Lockeport, Nova Scotia. There is also a Lockeport in British Columbia, named after Captain Leonard Pye Locke himself!
Locke sailed the ‘northern route’ with the CP Steamers, from Victoria to Prince Rupert, and made many stops in Haida Gwaii, then known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, and was well known there. The ship(s) delivered passengers and cargo all along the coast, and brought cargo and passengers back to Victoria. They also reported news of mining development, salmon runs, accidents etc.
Wikipedia identifies Lockeport as located on Moresby Island, Klunkwoi Bay. Google Maps shows Lockeport rather centrally situated, but does not name the bay. There is also the mention of Locke Harbour ‘near Skidegate’, Graham Island, but I have not been able to locate it. It could be another name for Skidegate Landing, or maybe actually refer to Lockeport. I am going to try to make contact with the Haida Band Council and learn if there is any mention in their history .
I have not yet been able to document the exact date that Locke started with the CP fleet, but the Canada Census,1901, lists him on the Amur; Lockeport appears to have been named in 1908, with no reference to a previous name.
Leonard’s family descended from the Locke’s of Lockeport, Nova Scotia. There is also a Lockeport in British Columbia, named after Captain Leonard Pye Locke himself!
Locke sailed the ‘northern route’ with the CP Steamers, from Victoria to Prince Rupert, and made many stops in Haida Gwaii, then known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, and was well known there. The ship(s) delivered passengers and cargo all along the coast, and brought cargo and passengers back to Victoria. They also reported news of mining development, salmon runs, accidents etc.
Wikipedia identifies Lockeport as located on Moresby Island, Klunkwoi Bay. Google Maps shows Lockeport rather centrally situated, but does not name the bay. There is also the mention of Locke Harbour ‘near Skidegate’, Graham Island, but I have not been able to locate it. It could be another name for Skidegate Landing, or maybe actually refer to Lockeport. I am going to try to make contact with the Haida Band Council and learn if there is any mention in their history .
I have not yet been able to document the exact date that Locke started with the CP fleet, but the Canada Census,1901, lists him on the Amur; Lockeport appears to have been named in 1908, with no reference to a previous name.
# 21 Leonard Pye Locke: Lockeport
It seems the last post proves how easy it is to be misguided into believing something that you want to be true. My original reference named Lockeport as being named in honour of Captain Locke, Captain of the Amur. A friend’s son lives on Haida Gwaii and he was able to provide some more information from Kathleen Dalzell: The Queen Charlotte Islands Volume 2 - Places and Names, published by Harbour Publishing in 1973.
Miners began to settle in the area in 1907/08, stores were opened and the Amur began twice monthly calls. Locke wanted the miners to chose a name; when no agreement was reached, Locke the suggested Lockeport, the name of his family base in Nova Scotia and it was accepted. So, not in his honour, but by his suggestion. I cannot find any documentation that Locke himself ever lived in Lockeport, NS. He was born in Liscomb, his mother’s family home. His father, Ebenezer, is listed as born in various places: Barry’s Point, Ragged Islands, Lockeport, Shelburne. On the 1827 Nova Scotia census for Shelburne there are five, adult male, head of household, Locke’s: Jacob, (Leonard’s grandfather), Ebenezer, John, Jonathan and Samuel. No doubt Leonard did visit family in the area while sailing with his father.
It seems the last post proves how easy it is to be misguided into believing something that you want to be true. My original reference named Lockeport as being named in honour of Captain Locke, Captain of the Amur. A friend’s son lives on Haida Gwaii and he was able to provide some more information from Kathleen Dalzell: The Queen Charlotte Islands Volume 2 - Places and Names, published by Harbour Publishing in 1973.
Miners began to settle in the area in 1907/08, stores were opened and the Amur began twice monthly calls. Locke wanted the miners to chose a name; when no agreement was reached, Locke the suggested Lockeport, the name of his family base in Nova Scotia and it was accepted. So, not in his honour, but by his suggestion. I cannot find any documentation that Locke himself ever lived in Lockeport, NS. He was born in Liscomb, his mother’s family home. His father, Ebenezer, is listed as born in various places: Barry’s Point, Ragged Islands, Lockeport, Shelburne. On the 1827 Nova Scotia census for Shelburne there are five, adult male, head of household, Locke’s: Jacob, (Leonard’s grandfather), Ebenezer, John, Jonathan and Samuel. No doubt Leonard did visit family in the area while sailing with his father.
# 22 Leonard Pye Locke: On the West Coast, Princess Maquinna
Locke received his Captain’s papers in 1877, but he did not always sail as a Captain. Nauticapedia records that while with the Red Star line he was an officer, collecting hydrographic data for navigational charts. In 1890, he was First Officer on the West Indian; Scott was the Captain. Documenting Locke’s career on the west coast is frustrating. He is often listed as Captain of the Amur, that seems to be his primary vessel, however newspaper items list him on a variety of C. P. vessels, and not always as Captain.
Besides the ships mentioned previously, he is noted once, in February 1916, as the Captain of the Princess Maquinna. The trip had a slight misadventure. The newspaper account refers to Maud Island at the entrance to the Seymour Narrows as ‘a particularly dangerous spot’. That was the location of Ripple Rock, an underwater mountain, causing such forceful turbulence that the peaks forming the island trembled. In 1958 the Canadian Government set an explosion and removed the two peaks.
Locke was sailing in a gale, with snow flurries, when the tidal currents pushed him off course and the Maquinna scraped a rock. He was able to beach the ship in Mensies Bay, pump out ballast tanks, refloat at high tide and continue to Vancouver. Further information about the ship can be found on Black Press Media: Shirley Martin: Heritage Column: Princess Maquinna was a lifeline for Ucluelet.
Google maps puts a similarly named Maude Island in Skidegate Inlet in Haida Gwaii, between Graham and Moresby Islands.
Locke received his Captain’s papers in 1877, but he did not always sail as a Captain. Nauticapedia records that while with the Red Star line he was an officer, collecting hydrographic data for navigational charts. In 1890, he was First Officer on the West Indian; Scott was the Captain. Documenting Locke’s career on the west coast is frustrating. He is often listed as Captain of the Amur, that seems to be his primary vessel, however newspaper items list him on a variety of C. P. vessels, and not always as Captain.
Besides the ships mentioned previously, he is noted once, in February 1916, as the Captain of the Princess Maquinna. The trip had a slight misadventure. The newspaper account refers to Maud Island at the entrance to the Seymour Narrows as ‘a particularly dangerous spot’. That was the location of Ripple Rock, an underwater mountain, causing such forceful turbulence that the peaks forming the island trembled. In 1958 the Canadian Government set an explosion and removed the two peaks.
Locke was sailing in a gale, with snow flurries, when the tidal currents pushed him off course and the Maquinna scraped a rock. He was able to beach the ship in Mensies Bay, pump out ballast tanks, refloat at high tide and continue to Vancouver. Further information about the ship can be found on Black Press Media: Shirley Martin: Heritage Column: Princess Maquinna was a lifeline for Ucluelet.
Google maps puts a similarly named Maude Island in Skidegate Inlet in Haida Gwaii, between Graham and Moresby Islands.
#23 Leonard Pye Locke, more happenings in 1908
In 1906 Locke purchased a building permit for a 2 storey frame house on Cook Street. The family was living in the house by 1908; the Daily Colonist carried a wedding announcement in the Sunday, May 10, issue: “McConnan/Locke On the 9th inst. At the residence of the bride’s parents, Cook Street, Emily Mary, eldest daughter of Capt. L. P. Locke to Douglas B McConnan, assistant receiver general Victoria BC. No cards.”
The house, at 1005 Cook, is listed on the Victoria Heritage Foundation website.
In September the Amur suffered two accidents. First colliding with the Vadso and then striking a uncharted rock at the entrance to Locke Harbour [Lockeport, Moresby Island]. While the second incident caused only minimal damage, there were significant problems as a result of the collision near Trivet Point, McKay Reach, at the northern tip of Princess Royal Island. The collision happened on September 18, at 2 am; Captain Locke called for an enquiry which was held the first week of November. Although the decision was expected the next week, it was not published until February 9, 1909.
Both Captain’s were asleep at the time, and were awakened by the crash; both were exonerated from blame. The ships were in charge of the Chief Officers, and while both had been sailing in line with ‘accepted practices’, both were reprimanded:
"had the Vadso gone full speed astern when the collision was imminent, the court considers that the accident would not have occurred.
"for bringing the Amur up nearly in a line with the approaching Vadso, which vessel had altered her course to clear him, thereby tending to confuse the officers on the Vadso, as to what the Amur was going to do, the court considers Mr. Richardson, the officer in charge of the Amur should be reprimanded, though his conduct is considered correct after this action.
"For not keeping his port helm, having once made way in the proper order for the approaching vessel, and also when the vessels were close, for not placing his engines at full speed astern, the court considers Mr Moorehouse, the officer in charge of the Vadso, should be severely reprimanded.
"the masters of the two vessels are exonerated from blame.
"It is regrettable that the sound signals were not distinctly heard by either ship."
The BC Ferries route map shows this route as #10; the section north of Klemtu, skirting Princess Royal Island, then continuing north between Pitt Island and the mainland, has beautiful scenery, and many narrow passages.
While waiting for the decision to be passed down, there was some good news for Captain Locke. According to an item in the Daily Colonist, he owned property on Bear Creek, Collinson (sic - Google maps now spells it Collison) Bay, Moresby Island. He sold a half interest to J. H. Gordon for ‘less than’ $1000. The partners sold the property to ‘a Seattle syndicate’ for $50,000.
In 1906 Locke purchased a building permit for a 2 storey frame house on Cook Street. The family was living in the house by 1908; the Daily Colonist carried a wedding announcement in the Sunday, May 10, issue: “McConnan/Locke On the 9th inst. At the residence of the bride’s parents, Cook Street, Emily Mary, eldest daughter of Capt. L. P. Locke to Douglas B McConnan, assistant receiver general Victoria BC. No cards.”
The house, at 1005 Cook, is listed on the Victoria Heritage Foundation website.
In September the Amur suffered two accidents. First colliding with the Vadso and then striking a uncharted rock at the entrance to Locke Harbour [Lockeport, Moresby Island]. While the second incident caused only minimal damage, there were significant problems as a result of the collision near Trivet Point, McKay Reach, at the northern tip of Princess Royal Island. The collision happened on September 18, at 2 am; Captain Locke called for an enquiry which was held the first week of November. Although the decision was expected the next week, it was not published until February 9, 1909.
Both Captain’s were asleep at the time, and were awakened by the crash; both were exonerated from blame. The ships were in charge of the Chief Officers, and while both had been sailing in line with ‘accepted practices’, both were reprimanded:
"had the Vadso gone full speed astern when the collision was imminent, the court considers that the accident would not have occurred.
"for bringing the Amur up nearly in a line with the approaching Vadso, which vessel had altered her course to clear him, thereby tending to confuse the officers on the Vadso, as to what the Amur was going to do, the court considers Mr. Richardson, the officer in charge of the Amur should be reprimanded, though his conduct is considered correct after this action.
"For not keeping his port helm, having once made way in the proper order for the approaching vessel, and also when the vessels were close, for not placing his engines at full speed astern, the court considers Mr Moorehouse, the officer in charge of the Vadso, should be severely reprimanded.
"the masters of the two vessels are exonerated from blame.
"It is regrettable that the sound signals were not distinctly heard by either ship."
The BC Ferries route map shows this route as #10; the section north of Klemtu, skirting Princess Royal Island, then continuing north between Pitt Island and the mainland, has beautiful scenery, and many narrow passages.
While waiting for the decision to be passed down, there was some good news for Captain Locke. According to an item in the Daily Colonist, he owned property on Bear Creek, Collinson (sic - Google maps now spells it Collison) Bay, Moresby Island. He sold a half interest to J. H. Gordon for ‘less than’ $1000. The partners sold the property to ‘a Seattle syndicate’ for $50,000.
#24 Eben James Locke, the Kinross, the Antiope
When researching Eben’s story I was disappointed that there were gaps - what was he doing in the 1890’s? Presumably he was in Europe, probably the UK as he married Maud Mary in Wales in 1894 and was on the Kinross in Penarth, Glamorgan in March 1901. He became a naturalized citizen the United States in November 1901, he must have been in the US in the 1890’s, but also returned to Europe: he may have been on the Landscer, sailing to Boston, in 1904; he was on the Lusitania, Liverpool to New York, in 1909. Then nothing until 1916, when he is sailing on the Pacific, between Hawaii and California.
While I had a record of the Kinross being registered in Victoria in 1903, I had no record of her voyages. It was a surprise to come across Eben’s name in Victoria BC in 1908, and have a mention that he had been there previously as Master of the Kinross. Researching I discovered another ship, the Antiope. Both ships were active in the Pacific in 1901, sailing between Hawaii and BC, Captain George W Murray on the Kinross and his son Captain George E Murray master of the Antiope. Difficulties arose between the captains and the owners of the ships, both resign, and then in 1903 the Daily Colonist publishes both ships, previously registered in Liverpool, will be locally owned and registered in Victoria; the Kinross by “Ship Kinross Co., Ltd” and the Antiope by “Bark Antiope Company Limited”.
A year later, June 1904, there is a notice that 16 shares of the “Bark Antiope Co’y. Ltd.” owned by George William Murray and Louisa Sarah Murray have been seized and will be sold by the sheriff; another notice is published in December.
George William Murray died on January 16, 1905, and on Wednesday 18 he was interred in the Ross Bay Cemetery.
The Russo-Japanese War was fought between February 8, 1904 and September 5, 1905. In August 1905, the Antiope, carrying a cargo of salt for fish curing, was seized by the Japanese and charged with having contraband for the Russian army. Although the charge was denied, the Japanese court declared the ship’s cargo contraband, and the Daily Colonist, on March 22, 1906, published: “The Antiope is consequently a total loss and will pass from the list of local shipping to lose her identity as the ‘something-maru’.”
I am not sure why the Colonist used the term ‘something-maru’. ‘Maru’ translates from Japanese to English as ‘circle’ or ‘round’. Through use over years it seems to have morphed into referring to something well liked, a favourite. It became attached to merchant vessels - so the Colonist maybe thought the Antiope would remain sailing and known as ‘[Japanese word]-maru’ as a new name. The Naval Marine Archive lists her as ’condemned’ in March 1906. Both the BAC-LAC and the Naval Marine Archive list the registry closed as 1907.
However that is not the end of the Antiope’s story, there is more to come.
When researching Eben’s story I was disappointed that there were gaps - what was he doing in the 1890’s? Presumably he was in Europe, probably the UK as he married Maud Mary in Wales in 1894 and was on the Kinross in Penarth, Glamorgan in March 1901. He became a naturalized citizen the United States in November 1901, he must have been in the US in the 1890’s, but also returned to Europe: he may have been on the Landscer, sailing to Boston, in 1904; he was on the Lusitania, Liverpool to New York, in 1909. Then nothing until 1916, when he is sailing on the Pacific, between Hawaii and California.
While I had a record of the Kinross being registered in Victoria in 1903, I had no record of her voyages. It was a surprise to come across Eben’s name in Victoria BC in 1908, and have a mention that he had been there previously as Master of the Kinross. Researching I discovered another ship, the Antiope. Both ships were active in the Pacific in 1901, sailing between Hawaii and BC, Captain George W Murray on the Kinross and his son Captain George E Murray master of the Antiope. Difficulties arose between the captains and the owners of the ships, both resign, and then in 1903 the Daily Colonist publishes both ships, previously registered in Liverpool, will be locally owned and registered in Victoria; the Kinross by “Ship Kinross Co., Ltd” and the Antiope by “Bark Antiope Company Limited”.
A year later, June 1904, there is a notice that 16 shares of the “Bark Antiope Co’y. Ltd.” owned by George William Murray and Louisa Sarah Murray have been seized and will be sold by the sheriff; another notice is published in December.
George William Murray died on January 16, 1905, and on Wednesday 18 he was interred in the Ross Bay Cemetery.
The Russo-Japanese War was fought between February 8, 1904 and September 5, 1905. In August 1905, the Antiope, carrying a cargo of salt for fish curing, was seized by the Japanese and charged with having contraband for the Russian army. Although the charge was denied, the Japanese court declared the ship’s cargo contraband, and the Daily Colonist, on March 22, 1906, published: “The Antiope is consequently a total loss and will pass from the list of local shipping to lose her identity as the ‘something-maru’.”
I am not sure why the Colonist used the term ‘something-maru’. ‘Maru’ translates from Japanese to English as ‘circle’ or ‘round’. Through use over years it seems to have morphed into referring to something well liked, a favourite. It became attached to merchant vessels - so the Colonist maybe thought the Antiope would remain sailing and known as ‘[Japanese word]-maru’ as a new name. The Naval Marine Archive lists her as ’condemned’ in March 1906. Both the BAC-LAC and the Naval Marine Archive list the registry closed as 1907.
However that is not the end of the Antiope’s story, there is more to come.
#25 Continuing the Antiope story
This will be posted on the New Information page. I think I may have to start a new section named Ships, as I continue to explore the stories of the vessels that turn up in family stories. So exciting!.
This will be posted on the New Information page. I think I may have to start a new section named Ships, as I continue to explore the stories of the vessels that turn up in family stories. So exciting!.
#34 A Confusion of E J Lockes!
In Posting #18 The Locke Family, Ebenezer Jacob Locke, there are hints of the difficulty in confirming documentation of E J Locke. Ebenezer Jacob Locke is alternately identified as Eben [1860/61 census] and Ebenezer [Captain’s certificate 1868, census 1871]. On the 1871 census, his children are listed by one name - James is 13. McAlpine’s Halifax Directory of 1878 lists Eben J Locke, master mariner and also Eben J Jr mariner. This seems to indicate that Ebenezer and Mary named their first son Leonard Pye to honour her father, and their second son Ebenezer (honouring his father) James. As a child he was no doubt called James at home, as an adult his first name was added, but shortened to Eben. When both father and son are recorded as Eben J in genealogy and ship files it is not always clear, is it father or son?
Add to that the Naval Marine listing of Edwin Jacob Locke of Shelburne, Nova Scotia, as a captain of 5 ships; one of those ships being the Pactolus #61496, from March 1877 to January 1879. E J Locke age 19 and 20 is listed on the Seafarers as the bosun on the voyage. I suspect that ‘Edwin’ is a miss transcription of Eben from the original cursive written records, that both father and son ‘E J Locke’ were on the voyage.
Another oddity for the Pactolus. The BAC-LAC Ship’s Registrations records that the ship was ‘totally wrecked at Staten Island, New York City, New York, USA on February 12, 1882 and the registry was closed August 8, 1882’. There is no documentation of this wreck. However there is another Staten Island, also known as Isla de los Estados, Argentina, the eastern area of Tierra del Fuego. On the website museomaritimo.com there is an account of the wreck of the Pactolus, February 13, 1882, mentioning both Captain W L McLellan of Nova Scotia, taken off the ship due to illness, and master William Tobey who stayed with the ship until all were rescued. This too is a mistake. McLellan is listed in the Navel Marine records as the last captain of the Pactolus.
There is more to come about the ship Pactolus.
In Posting #18 The Locke Family, Ebenezer Jacob Locke, there are hints of the difficulty in confirming documentation of E J Locke. Ebenezer Jacob Locke is alternately identified as Eben [1860/61 census] and Ebenezer [Captain’s certificate 1868, census 1871]. On the 1871 census, his children are listed by one name - James is 13. McAlpine’s Halifax Directory of 1878 lists Eben J Locke, master mariner and also Eben J Jr mariner. This seems to indicate that Ebenezer and Mary named their first son Leonard Pye to honour her father, and their second son Ebenezer (honouring his father) James. As a child he was no doubt called James at home, as an adult his first name was added, but shortened to Eben. When both father and son are recorded as Eben J in genealogy and ship files it is not always clear, is it father or son?
Add to that the Naval Marine listing of Edwin Jacob Locke of Shelburne, Nova Scotia, as a captain of 5 ships; one of those ships being the Pactolus #61496, from March 1877 to January 1879. E J Locke age 19 and 20 is listed on the Seafarers as the bosun on the voyage. I suspect that ‘Edwin’ is a miss transcription of Eben from the original cursive written records, that both father and son ‘E J Locke’ were on the voyage.
Another oddity for the Pactolus. The BAC-LAC Ship’s Registrations records that the ship was ‘totally wrecked at Staten Island, New York City, New York, USA on February 12, 1882 and the registry was closed August 8, 1882’. There is no documentation of this wreck. However there is another Staten Island, also known as Isla de los Estados, Argentina, the eastern area of Tierra del Fuego. On the website museomaritimo.com there is an account of the wreck of the Pactolus, February 13, 1882, mentioning both Captain W L McLellan of Nova Scotia, taken off the ship due to illness, and master William Tobey who stayed with the ship until all were rescued. This too is a mistake. McLellan is listed in the Navel Marine records as the last captain of the Pactolus.
There is more to come about the ship Pactolus.
#35 More on the Pactolus
The river Pactolus is near the Aegean coast of Turkey. From Wikipedia: it once contained electrum, an alloy of gold and silver, used to mint the first coins of Lydia. The name Pactolus figures in several Greek myths. The name was used for many ships in the late 1800s, crewlist.org.uk. lists ten and there are others listed on other websites. Canada has 4, one each in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and British Columbia. The US ship #150552 is not on the list.
Last week’s story of the wreck is based on the confusion of two ships.
Add to the mix two ‘New’ Pactolus. One in Nova Scotia, #90450, also built in Noel, in 1885. From BAC-LAC: ‘sold foreign. Registry closed 1889’. A second Flint and Chapman ship built in 1891, using the same 150552 number, 1674 tons, is recorded as having original owner Naknek Packing Company. More confusion: two ships, built by the same company, having the same number at the same time?
Hylke Tromp’s article: The Story of the Pactolus Bank, at archive.org mentions the 1865 American ship was purchased by the Naknek Packing Company in 1911, and took part in the National Geographic Society Katmai Alaska Expeditions 1913-1919. More confusion - the 1865 ship was wrecked off Hog Island in 1907. The Pacific Fisherman Vol 9 No 10 includes a notice that the American bark Pactolus built in 1891 has been purchased from the California Shipping Co for cannery use at Naknek.
I cannot close the file on the Pactolus, yet with limited time for research over the summer, I know the full story may not be discovered until the fall, if ever!
While trying to determine which ship was used by the National Geographic Expedition I came across an interesting documentary on You Tube: National Geographic ’s Katmai Expeditions, Alaska 1919.
The river Pactolus is near the Aegean coast of Turkey. From Wikipedia: it once contained electrum, an alloy of gold and silver, used to mint the first coins of Lydia. The name Pactolus figures in several Greek myths. The name was used for many ships in the late 1800s, crewlist.org.uk. lists ten and there are others listed on other websites. Canada has 4, one each in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and British Columbia. The US ship #150552 is not on the list.
Last week’s story of the wreck is based on the confusion of two ships.
- An American ship, #150552, built by Chapman & Flint, in 1865, foundered off Hog Island, Virginia, June 2,1907. Her captains from 1865 to 1876 were William Tobey, then his son William J Tobey. In 1885 her master William Dixon Burnham reported soundings in the Drake Passage that became named the Pactolus Bank.
- The Nova Scotia ship, #61496, was built in Noel, NS, 1871, and owned by Osmond O’Brien. Captained by Locke in 1877-1879 and William McLellan in 1881-1882 and erroneously reported as wrecked at Staten Island, New York City.
Add to the mix two ‘New’ Pactolus. One in Nova Scotia, #90450, also built in Noel, in 1885. From BAC-LAC: ‘sold foreign. Registry closed 1889’. A second Flint and Chapman ship built in 1891, using the same 150552 number, 1674 tons, is recorded as having original owner Naknek Packing Company. More confusion: two ships, built by the same company, having the same number at the same time?
Hylke Tromp’s article: The Story of the Pactolus Bank, at archive.org mentions the 1865 American ship was purchased by the Naknek Packing Company in 1911, and took part in the National Geographic Society Katmai Alaska Expeditions 1913-1919. More confusion - the 1865 ship was wrecked off Hog Island in 1907. The Pacific Fisherman Vol 9 No 10 includes a notice that the American bark Pactolus built in 1891 has been purchased from the California Shipping Co for cannery use at Naknek.
I cannot close the file on the Pactolus, yet with limited time for research over the summer, I know the full story may not be discovered until the fall, if ever!
While trying to determine which ship was used by the National Geographic Expedition I came across an interesting documentary on You Tube: National Geographic ’s Katmai Expeditions, Alaska 1919.
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