The CHUSAN Disaster at Ardrossan

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Penny Tray
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The CHUSAN Disaster at Ardrossan

Post by Penny Tray »

Today, being the 146th anniversary of the first newspaper report of the CHUSAN disaster at Ardrossan Harbour, I thought it might be useful, using a single daily post over the next couple of weeks, to pull the story together in a dedicated topic, outlining the incident as it unfolded in the Glasgow Herald.

Some of these items will be excerpts only, more in-depth detail being available in the newspapers listed.

GLASGOW HERALD
22 OCTOBER 1874

GREAT STORM - WRECK OF THE CHUSAN AT ARDROSSAN - FIFTEEN LIVES LOST

The crowning disaster resulting from the storm was the wreck of the paddle steamer CHUSAN off Ardrossan early yesterday morning, and the loss of no fewer than fifteen lives.

About six o’clock in the morning the steamer, while trying to make for the harbour, drifted on the Crinan Rock, a perilous projection situated midway between the harbour light and the breakwater and about 400 yards from the pier. She parted amidships, with the melancholy result stated.

At this time, so far as we can gather, there were 52 souls on board, of whom 13 were white people, the crew being otherwise made up of Negroes belonging to the Southern States of America, one or two native West Indians, and several Lascars.

Of the fifteen persons who perished only two were white people – namely Captain Johnston, and William Miller, the second mate.

Of the 37 persons who were saved, 11 are white people, namely:-

Captain King, passenger.
Mrs. Johnston, the captain’s wife, and their son, George Johnston, 4½ years.
Miss Helen Elliot, Mrs. Johnston’s sister.
Mr. Moir, pilot.
John Murdoch Johnston, first mate, unmarried, and belonging to Glasgow.
William Gardner, chief engineer, a native of Leith.
William Ortwin, second engineer, belonging to Liverpool.
William G. Wrench, third engineer, unmarried, belonging to Abernethy.
George Marr, fourth engineer, a native of Aberdeen, but living with his family in Glasgow.
Edward Humphreys, purser, belonging to Salem, United States.

The rescued persons were accommodated in hotels and private houses in the town, and every kindness was shown to them.
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Re: The CHUSAN Disaster at Ardrossan

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GLASGOW HERALD
22 OCTOBER 1874

GREAT STORM - ARDROSSAN

While the storm raged, a woman named Mrs. McCallum, wife of a ship carpenter, who had gone towards the harbour to view the wreck of the CHUSAN, was caught by a squall and lifted off her feet, her head falling heavily on the wheel of a waggon. She sustained a very severe scalp wound, and was taken home in a cab.

Medical aid was at once procured, and her condition is considered very critical.
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meekan
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Re: The CHUSAN Disaster at Ardrossan

Post by meekan »

Sign of the times “white lives matter”.
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Re: The CHUSAN Disaster at Ardrossan

Post by Jim McCreadie »

Not saying you’re incorrect meekan, but not necessarily. How were the authorities to determine the identities of the deceased if and when their remains were located which may not have occurred at the time of the article? If any remains were recovered, they were probably so battered as a result of the storm as to render visual identification extremely difficult.
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Re: The CHUSAN Disaster at Ardrossan

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GLASGOW HERALD
23 OCTOBER 1874

ARDROSSAN HARBOUR – NOTICE TO SHIPMASTERS

The steamer “CHUSAN” has been sunk in the entrance to the harbour, about 200 yards inside the Crinan Rock, and until further notice no vessel should enter the harbour during the night, and only with the greatest care during the day.

Harbour Office
Ardrossan
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Re: The CHUSAN Disaster at Ardrossan

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GLASGOW HERALD
23 OCTOBER 1874

THE LOSS OF THE CHUSAN

It was expected that yesterday a list of the crew would have reached Ardrossan from London, but it did not arrive. It is therefore impossible to form any correct idea of the numbers lost, and difficult even to obtain an accurate list of the saved, as they are scattered throughout the town. One of the quartermasters, who was supposed to have been lost, turned up yesterday, and it is probable the numbers reported lost may yet be diminished.

Most of the articles which are being washed ashore from the wreck are coming up on the beach near the Inches. The captain’s chest has been picked up with the lashings unbroken. The second officer’s chest has also been thrown up. It contains a bank book, showing £35 to his credit, but the chest contained no money.

The box belonging to the second engineer was picked up at sea by a schooner and brought to Ardrossan on Thursday. The owner affirms that the lock has been forced open and a pocket book containing nine sovereigns in gold, some American dollars, and an album abstracted.

Large numbers of people visited the harbour yesterday, the mid-day train from Glasgow especially bringing a heavy load of passengers. All seemed to bend their footsteps to the scene of the disaster and gaze upon the spot with great interest.

The chief mate, JOHN MURDOCH JOHNSTONE, exhibited an amount of bravery which elicited the admiration of all who saw his feats of gallant daring. He moved about as one who set no value on his own life so long as that of others was endangered, and but for his great efforts it is more than probably the lifeboat would have returned without accomplishing its mission of mercy. He established a mode of communication between those who were clinging to the wreck and the lifeboat, going about his work as calmly as if he been discharging ordinary duty, and evidently thinking of everybody but himself. It was only when he saw that all were safe that he thought of safety for himself, and he was brought on board the lifeboat thoroughly exhausted with his noble efforts.

Despite the melancholy surroundings, the crowd on shore could not suppress their admiration of the conduct, which found a vent in several ringing cheers.
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Re: The CHUSAN Disaster at Ardrossan

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GLASGOW HERALD
24 OCTOBER 1874

THE WRECK OF THE CHUSAN

Yesterday, the return of the crew was received from London, and it has now been found that the actual number of persons drowned is nine – seven men of colour, and two whites.

The men were mustered yesterday morning for the purpose of being discharged. They were asked to accept a gratuity of 5s, given in the name of Captain King, it being understood that the Hon. Secretary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution would grant each of them a free pass to Glasgow. To this the men demurred, threatening to keep possession of the fore part of the hull till their claims were settled. It appears that their engagement ran six months, and that they had obtained a month’s advance on joining the ship, 30 days ago.

In the afternoon, however, the men accepted the offer, and several of them left for Glasgow last night.

Wreckage still continues to come ashore, and it is being looked after by the receiver, but none of the bodies have yet been found.

Messrs Barr & Shearer, shipbuilders, have been asked to raise the vessel, and pontoons will be sent from Glasgow to aid them in the work. Meantime they are engaged removing articles from the submerged hull. Yesterday afternoon Mr. Peter Anderson, who has charge of the work, recovered a fine gold watch belonging to Mr. Gardner, the engineer, and the owner was very much pleased when it was restored to him. It had stopped at twelve minutes before seven. He is residing with Mr Anderson, merchant, where he has been since the disaster.

Mrs. Johnstone, the captain’s widow is progressing favourably, and, together with her sister, Miss Elliott, and her little boy, has been received to the Pavilion, the residence of Mr. John Cuninghame (of Messrs Merry & Cuninghame).

Five of the crew have been retained to attend the inquiry into the loss of the steamer.
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Re: The CHUSAN Disaster at Ardrossan

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GLASGOW HERALD
26 OCTOBER 1874

THE LOSS OF THE CHUSAN - RECOVERY OF THE CAPTAIN'S BODY

The body of Captain Johnson of the CHUSAN was found on North Crescent beach at 11 yesterday morning, and taken to the hospital at the harbour.

The body was nearly naked, and his watch which had been attached to the button-hole of the drawers was gone, the appendage only being left. The left hand bears evidence of the struggle to save his wife and child, being deeply cut by a rope. There was a ring on one of the fingers, and gold studs in his shirt. There is a deep cut on the back of the head.

Several cartloads of wreckage have been thrown up on Kilbride shore, and are now in charge of coastguards, two of whom are constantly on duty. Two chronometers have been brought ashore by Messrs Barr & Shearer's workmen, which have stopped at 7.5 and 7.3. The engine room clock stands also at 7.5.

A Board of Trade inquiry will be opened on Thursday at Ardrossan.

The wreck was referred to in several of the Ardrossan churches yesterday.
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Re: The CHUSAN Disaster at Ardrossan

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GLASGOW HERALD
26 OCTOBER 1874

Sir,

THE CREW OF THE CHUSAN

With reference to the crew of the CHUSAN, the Hon. Agent of the National Lifeboat Institution is stated in Herald of today (24 October) as having forwarded the crew to Glasgow. We presume this is inadvertently stated for the agent of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, as it was he who sent them here; and after keeping them one day in the Sailors’ Home, we send per rail tonight those that wish to go to London; the remainder expect to ship here.

We are etc.
CAMPBELL & HALL
Hon. Agents, Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society
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Re: The CHUSAN Disaster at Ardrossan

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GLASGOW HERALD
27 OCTOBER 1874

THE WRECK OF THE CHUSAN

Messrs Barr & Shearer’s workmen were busily engaged yesterday in preparing for the raising of the submerged hull of the CHUSAN. The weather was fine, and greatly facilitated operations.

At the morning ebb a good view of the hull was obtained, and it is believed the damage is not quite so great as might have been expected.

The harbour was again visited by large crowds of people from a distance.

No more bodies have been found.
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Re: The CHUSAN Disaster at Ardrossan

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GLASGOW HERALD
2 NOVEMBER 1874

CHUSAN INQUIRY

This inquiry opens at Ardrossan this morning, and promises to be somewhat protracted, no fewer than thirty witnesses having been summoned.
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Re: The CHUSAN Disaster at Ardrossan

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GLASGOW HERALD
2 NOVEMBER 1874

ARDROSSAN - MASONIC PRESENTATION

Shortly after the wreck of the steamer CHUSAN, it was discovered that all of the officers saved from the steamer were connected with masonic lodges, and the brethren of Neptune Kilwinning Ardrossan No. 442, at once devoted some attention to them. Under the auspices of the lodge, a subscription was set up in a jot and in a short time over £50 were collected.

A meeting of the brethren was held in the Neptune Lodge Room on Friday evening, which was attended by five of the survivors - (the sixth, Mr Gardner, chief engineer) not having yet recovered from his injuries.

The Depute Master, Brother James Robertson presided, and opened the Lodge in due form. Thereafter in the name of the lodge he presented the survivors with a purse containing 54 sovereigns, and explained that this sum would yet be augmented. Their lodge, he remarked, was largely composed of seafaring men, and in the present case it was specially becoming that they should give practical effect to their sympathy for the brethren of the Chusan. He asked them to accept the congratulations of the brethren of 442 for their preservation, and assured them that they would be long remembered by the members of the Ardrossan Lodge, who sincerely hoped that every success might attend their future,

The presentation was gracefully acknowledged by Messrs John Murdoch Johnstone, first officer (who replied on behalf of Mr Gardner, engineer); Mr Edwin Humphrey, purser; Mr William Ortwin; Mr William Wrench; and Mr George Marr, engineer.

The presence of several visiting brethren was then acknowledged from the chair, and responded to by Brothers J. H. Mearns and Henry Rutledge.

It may be mentioned that the Lodge also presented a handsome gold ring to Br. David Casey, chief officer of the ADA BARTON, bearing the inscription - "From Brethren of Neptune Kilwinning to Br. David Casey, for his manly conduct at wreck of steamer Chusan at Ardrossan Harbour."

Brother Casey, it may be mentioned, was one of those who went out in the tug steamer and assisted in saving several lives.
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