The Loss of the S.S. Lion

The Evening Telegram Monday, January 9, 1882

Headline: “Frightful Disaster Near Grate’s Cove. Loss of the Steamer ‘Lion’ with Every Soul on Board. Body of a Lady Passenger and Some of the Wreck Picked Up”

Extracts from the News Report:

The event was described as “one of the most dreadful disasters, both as regards of life and destruction of property, that has ever occurred in connection with the mercantile marine of Newfoundland.”

“Part of two boats bearing the name of the steamer had been picked up near Baccalieu Island on Friday with a quantity of lumber and eight or ten kerosene oil casks… also the body of a woman, supposed to be Mrs. John Cross, floating in the water…taken to Red Island Cove… The Lion left St. John’s for Trinity at 12 o’clock Friday night. The weather was delightfully fine, a gentle breeze from the westward made little wavelets... The SS Ranger left for Greenspond the same night… The accident occurred about daylight on Friday morning. It is supposed by some that in rounding Grates Point she ran on the rocks and rolled over into deep water, while others are inclined to think that the ship was blown up.

The report states that the Lion carried a crew of ten and was commanded by “Captain Patrick Fowlow, of Trinity, a young man of excellent character and strictly sober.”

The List of Passengers:

Rev. Mr. Foster and wife
Mr. and Mrs. J. Snelgrove
Mrs. John Cross
Miss Mary Bayley
Miss Newhook
Miss Coleman
Mr. John Janes
Mr. G. Nagle
Mr. Charles Power
Mr. James Grant
Mr. John Doherty and son
Mr. Edward Doherty
Miss Watkins
Mrs. James and son


Back to Top

Back to Documents