Trinity Disaster

            Under date September 23^rd, the Rev C.W. Hollands, incumbent of Trinity West, writes to us and mentions the heart-rending scenes of Saturday last when he had to break the news of the disaster of the Effie M. to the families of the victims.  So far as is known at Trinity, there were in all fifteen souls lost on the Effie M., eleven of the crew and four freighters.

            On the morning of the 22^nd the steamship Ethie brought over three bodies, George Hiscock, of Southside; Robert Morris, of Trouty; and John Miller, of Spaniard’s Cove.  Arrangements had been made for the reception of the bodies, and Mr. Lilly and Mr. Hollands had the Woman’s Room of the Parish Hall prepared, and the bodies were placed there for recognition.

            “We have heard that eight bodies have been recovered and that the steamship Ethie has been sent to Old Perlican to bring the bodies here tonight.  We have the Parish Hall prepared as a temporary resting place, so that friends may know where to come to recognize and identify their dear ones and prepare for the funeral."

            “Of the fifteen lost, six were married men.  One case is a sad one, that of Wm. Miller, of Spaniard’s Cove.  He and his two sons are gone.  The widow has further lost her brother, nephew and cousin in this vessel.  It is a sad blow, six of her kith and kin at one blow.  She has six boys and one girl, a cripple, left to support.  The eldest boy is ten years of age.  Yesterday they had not a particle of food in the house.  I relieved them at once, and Mr. Lilly, the Magistrate, has given me temporary relief for the family."

            “Another hard case is that of Arthur Sexton; he and his boy are gone, and there is a hard family in want."

            “The names of the others are: John Ash, of Spaniard’s Cove, single; James Janes, of Spaniard’s Cove, single; Frederick Morris, of Trouty, married; Frederick James, his son, single; Robert Morris, of Trouty, single; Walter Brown, of Trouty, single; James Fleet, of Cuckhold’s Cove, single; George Hiscock, of Trinity, married; John Pinhorn, of Trinity, single; James R. Wooldridge, of Trinity, married; Arthur Sexton, of Trinity, married; Stephen Sexton, son, of Trinity, single.  Mrs. Miller was confined a fortnight ago a son."

            “Tomorrow I bury the three first named recovered bodies, two at Trouty, and one here.  Of the eight recovered today, one is James R. Wooldridge, identified by marks on his socks. T. R. W.  If the others cannot be identified we shall bury them in one grave here."

            “Please publicly thank the magistrate at Old Perlican and Mr. Janes at Hants Harbour for the assistance so generously given.  Thank them, on my behalf, in the names of all the bereaved and friends, and also thank all those brave, good fellows who gave up their time so readily to search for the bodies.  They have done a real noble brother’s part."

            “I hope to do something among my parishioners to assist the needful, but I am afraid that outside help will be required.  Please do what you can in this respect.  I leave all arrangements in yours and fellow members hands.  Any assistance will be gratefully and thankfully received.  All our people have done and are doing what they can to assist."

            “The L. O. A. meet tonight to make arrangements as they have lost nine brothers."

            The S. U. F. has lost two brothers.

The Evening Telegram

Back to Top