MySource:Cos1776/Passenger list - 1837 SS Home

Description

The purpose of this page is to document and investigate the passengers and crew of the SS Home which sprang a leak, ran aground and broke apart during a hurricane off the coast of the Carolinas in 1837. What follows is a transcript of a newspaper article describing the event and giving the names of passengers and crew, followed by an alphabetized, edited and annotated list of the passengers and crew with WeRelate links, and finally a section for external resources.

Original article

New York Herald, 21 Oct 1837.

WRECK OF THE NEW YORK STEAM-PACKET HOME -- NINETY-FIVE LIVES LOST.

By the steamboat from Norfolk, arrived this morning, we have the truly heart-rending intelligence that the steam packet Home, Captain WHITE, from New York for Charleston, whence she sailed on Saturday, the 7th inst., sprung a leak on Monday, the 9th, when off Cape Hatteras, and was run ashore six miles north of Ocracoke, in order to save the lives of those on board. The Home had on board ninety passengers, of whom seventy perished, and of her crew of forty-five, twenty-five were lost -- making a total loss of ninety-five lives. Two of the passengers who escaped have reached this city.

We have conversed with MESSRS. ROWLAND and HOLMES, the two passengers on board the Home, who reached this city on their return to New York to replace their lost papers, &c. They state the Home made rapid progress after she left New York, and had proceeded as far as to the southward of Cape Hatteras, when the wind, which had blown very freshly all Monday morning, 9th inst., increased to a gale about two o'clock P.M., and caused the boat to labour very much. It was soon very generally manifest that her frame was not strong enough to withstand the violence of the sea, and we learn that she raised in the bow and stern at least three feet from her proper line. It is supposed that she leaked freely, for she soon settled so deep in the water as to render her wheels entirely useless, and her sails were then raised to run her on shore. About seven or eight o'clock, P.M., the water had quenched the fire under the boilers, and she continued nearing the land by means of her sails, until half past ten o'clock at night, when she struck the shore near Ocracoke, and immediately went to pieces. The passengers were now in the greatest confusion and alarm -- some leaped overboard, and were drowned in attempting to swim to land, while others possessed themselves of pieces of timber, and floated ashore nearly exhausted with cold and fatigue. One of the gentlemen above mentioned informs us that he remained quietly on the forecastle, and floated on shore on it after the boat went to pieces. MRS. SCHROEDER, one of the two ladies who were saved, lashed herself to one of the timbers, and reached the shore in safety. MRS. LACOSTE, although a very feeble old lady, aged about seventy years, was safely dragged out of the surf. She is supposed to have been buoyed up by a settee. One of the passengers had on a life preserver, and got safely to land by its aid.

The boat was entirely broken to fragments, and the few trunks which were washed on the beach next day were more or less injured. MESSRS. ROWLAND and HOLMES remained at Ocracoke two days before they could get a conveyance to Norfolk. They state that about twenty bodies had been washed ashore, and were buried before they left the beach, among them the bodies of two or three of the ladies.

On referring back to the New York papers of the 9th instant, we find a list of the passengers who sailed from New York on the 7th in this ill-fated vessel, which we subjoin. In addition to those here named, there were some six or eight others who went on board just before the Home sailed, and who are not included in the list.

Passengers in the steam packet Home, sailed on the 7th from New York for Charleston: MESSRS. C. C. CADY, J. ROOT, TILESTOP, J. JOHNSTON, JR., T. SMITH, J. M. ROLL, T. ANDERSON, JAMES COKES, VANDERZEE, J. D. ROLANDS, W. S. READ, Captain HILL, KENNEDY, C. DRAYTON, WALKER, FULLER, COHEN, BENEDICT M. COHEN, A. LOVEGREEN, J. HOLMES, J. BOYD, G. H. PALMER, H. C. BANGS, W. WHITING, REV. J. COLES, B. B. HUSSEY and lady, C. WILLEMAN, H. B. CROOM and lady, MISS CROOM, H. ANDERSON,WILEY, WELD, O. H. PRINCE, CLOCK, J. PAINE, A. F. BOSTWICK, MISS LEVY, MISS M. LEVY, MRS. CAMOCK, MRS. WHITING, MRS. HILL, MISS STOWE, MISS ROBERT, MRS. PRINCE, MRS. BOYD, MRS. FAUGH, MRS. FLYNN and her two daughters, MRS. MILLER, MISS M. CROOM, MRS. LEVY, MRS. SCHROEDER, MRS. BONDO, MRS. RIVIERE, MRS. LACOSTE, MR. DESSBYE lady and servant, MR. A. DESSBYE, Captain F. DESSBYE, SALTUS, Prof. NOTT and lady, Master CROOM, C. QUINN, MR. SMITH, LAROCQUE, BROQUET lady, child and servant, P. DOMINGUES, LABADIE, WALTON, HAZARD, CAMTHERS and FINN.

Since the above was in type, we have conversed with one of those passengers saved. He says that, at the time the leak was discovered, they were about twenty-five miles from shore, and the vessel had nearly four feet of water in the hold; and with all the pumps going, and all hands, passengers and all bailing, it gained ground upon them so fast that they were obliged to desist and seek their own personal safety. The boat grounded about a quarter of a mile from the shore, and went to pieces in the space of twenty minutes. Those saved got on shore by swimming and on pieces of the wreck. Our informant, with another person only, had the "India rubber Life Preservers," and he states that, if there had been 150 of them on board the boat, he thinks but a very few would have perished.

The following is the letter from Captain WHITE:
Ocracoke, N.C.
"Dear Sir, I have now the painful duty of informing you of the total loss of the steam packet Home, and the lives of most of the passengers and crew. The following passengers are saved:"

"Passengers known to be saved from the steam boat Home, lost on Ocracoke, N.C. -- H. VANDERZEE, New York; JOHN SALTER, Portsmouth, N.H.; ALFRED HILL, do., do.; J. S. COHEN, Columbia, S.C.; ANDREW A. LOVEGREEN, Charleston, S.C.; CHARLES DRAYTON, do. do.; B. B. HUSSEY, do. do.; THOMAS I. SMITH, do. do.; MRS. LA COSTA, do. do.; MRS. SHRODER, do. do.; C. C. CADY, Montgomery, Alabama; J. D. ROWLAND, New York; JAMES JOHNSON, JR., Boston; JOHN BISHOP, New York; DARIUS CLOCK, Athens, Ga.; WM. S. REED, New Haven, Conn.; JABEZ HOLMES, New York; JOHN MATHER, do.; CONRAD QUINN, Jersey City; HIRAM ANDERSON, New York. Twenty passengers saved, is all we can find.

The following persons of the crew: Captain WHITE; DAVID MILNE, Steward, New York; MICHAEL BURNES, deck hand; JAMES DUFFEY, deck hand; JOHN TRUST, do.; JAMES JACKSON, do.; SAMUEL _____, do; CALVIN MARVIN (boy), do. New York; LEVI MILLER, Stamford, Conn., fireman; WILLIAM BLOOM, New York, do.; THOMAS SMITH, do., do.; TIMOTHY STONE, do., do.; and six waiters, names not known, making 18 belonging to the boat.

20 passengers, 19 hands, 1 captain, total 40 souls saved."

There can be very little saved from the wreck. We had a heavy gale of wind after leaving New York, from N.E. The boat sprung a leak a little to the northward of Hatteras. At first we were able to pump the water out as fast as it came in; but the leak soon increased, so that it gained very fast on us. We scuttled the cabin floor, and all hands, passengers, gentlemen and ladies, commenced bailing with buckets, kettles, &c.; but the water soon came up to the furnaces, and put the fires out, and we were obliged to run under sails only. By the time we came to the shore the water was over the cabin floors. We rushed her head on, but owing to her having so much water in, she stopped in the outer breakers. The first sea that came after she struck stove the weather quarter boat and all the houses on deck were stove in; and in twenty-five minutes after she struck she was all in pieces; and I suppose about eighty souls were drowned.

Both of the mates, all three of the engineers, and JAMES B. ALLAIRE are lost.

Most of the passengers saved have lost nearly all their baggage. I have lost everything have nothing but one pair of pantaloons and a shirt that I had on when I washed ashore."

There was one gentleman on board named COURSE a Frenchman, who has fought in all Napoleon's battles. He has for some time been a resident of the South. Alas! that one who has faced death in battles so often, and under such a general should have perished at last so ingloriously.

A. W. ROAT of the firm of Roat and Taylor, of Charleston, had taken a passage in the Home. He gave it up to MR. WOODBURN, and went himself in the Philadelphia boat. He was saved and MR. WOODBURN , who took his place, perished. MR. WOODBURN had a considerable sum of money with him for a Savannah house.

Passenger and crew lists - alphabetized, annotated and linked

Passengers

• "Twenty passengers saved, is all we can find." (from Capt. White's letter)
• 90 passengers total / 20 saved (from Morning Herald)

MESSRS.

1. ALLAIRE, JAMES B - "Mr. James B. Allaire of New York, was also a passenger. Many are there who will long remember the numerous virtues of this estimable young man. He was a nephew of the owner [James P Allaire]." [per John D Roland, survivor]
2. ANDERSON, H = SAVED = Hiram Anderson, NY
3. ANDERSON, T or P - Columbia, SC - "Mr. P. Anderson was a merchant, belonging to Columbia, S. C." [per John D Roland, survivor]
4. BANGS, A C - "Mr. A. C. Bangs, was a very promising young man, about 19 years of age, son of Rev. Heman Bangs of Hartford, Conn, and nephew of Rev. Dr. Bangs of New York." [per John D Roland, survivor]
5. BENEDICT - Levi S Benedict, Saratoga, NY
6. BISHOP, [NOT ON ORIGINAL LIST] = SAVED = John Bishop, NY
7. BONDO, MRS. - Mrs. Heloise Bondo, Charleston, SC - "Mrs. Bondo, was a most estimable widow lady, whose loss will be deeply deplored by large numbers both in New York, and in Charleston. She kept an extensive jewelry and fancy store in King-street, Charleston." [per John D Roland, survivor]
8. BOSTWICK, A F - or R F Bostwick
9. BOYD, J -
10. BOYD, MRS. -
11. BROQUET -
12. BROQUET, lady -
13. BROQUET, child -
14. BROQUET's servant -
15. BROWN, GEORGE [NOT ON ORIGINAL LIST] - George Brown
16. CADY, C C = SAVED = C C Cady, Montgomery, AL
17. CAMOCK, MRS. - aunt of Mrs. Frances (Smith) Croom
18. CAMTHERS or CAWTHERS
19. CAROE, WILLIAM [NOT ON ORIGINAL LIST] - William Caroe (could be Carne)
20. CHORS [NOT ON ORIGINAL LIST] - Mr. Chors, Charleston, SC
21. CLOCK, = SAVED = Darius Clock, Athens, GA
22. COHEN, = SAVED = Capt. Isaac S Cohen, Columbia, SC
23. COHEN, M
24. COHEN, P S [NOT ON ORIGINAL LIST] - Philip S Cohen, Charleston, SC - "Mr. Philip S. Cohen of Charleston, S, C. who was lost, was the youngest brother of Mr. Isaac S. Cohen, of Columbia, who was fortunately preserved. Both brothers were on board the Wm. Gibbons when she was wrecked, and narrowly escaped with their lives. We understand that their friends at home were very urgent in their solicitations that they should not return in the Home. Alas! that their entreaties were of no avail." [per John D Roland, survivor]
25. COKES, JAMES
26. COURSE [NOT ON ORIGINAL LIST] - "There was one gentleman on board named COURSE a Frenchman, who has fought in all Napoleon's battles. He has for some time been a resident of the South. Alas ! that one who has faced death in battles so often, and under such a general should have perished at last so ingloriously." [Morning Herald, 21 Oct 1837]
27. COWLES, Rev. George Cowles - "Rev. George Cowles, for two or three years until his health failed, was pastor of a Congregational Church in Danvers, Mass. His amiable lady was a sister of the Rev. Mr. Adams, of the Broome street Church in New York, and daughter of the venerable Preceptor of Philips Academy, Andover." [per John D Roland, survivor]
28. COWLES, lady [NOT ON ORIGINAL LIST] - Mrs. Elizabeth (Adams) Cowles
29. CROOM H.B. = Hardy Bryan Croom of NC and FL - "Mr. and Mrs. Croom, who were lost, were the parents of the young lady above mentioned [Henrietta Croom]. Their son, a fine youth, also perished. The father of Mr. H. B. Groom was a member of the Lyceum of Natural History in New York, and a very worthy man. He was a resident of Florida, but being in feeble health, generally spent his summers at the north. Of this entire family, all we understand are now gone." [per John D Roland, survivor]
30. CROOM, lady = Frances (Smith) Croom, wife of Hardy B. Croom
31. CROOM, Master = William Henry Croom - son of Hardy B. Croom
32. CROOM, MISS = Henrietta Croom, daughter of Hardy B. Croom - "Miss Henrietta Croom, was 16 years of age, a young lady of great personal accomplishments. She was a native of North Carolina, and had been about three years in New York, where she had acquired an excellent education at the boarding school of Madame Chegaray." [per John D Roland, survivor]
33. CROOM, MISS M. = must be 2nd daughter of Hardy B Croom, little Justina Croom
34. DESABYE, MR. = Marc Désabaye of NY
35. DESABYE, lady - Mrs. Marie (Concirolle de Tausia) Désabaye, wife of Marc Désabaye
36. CROOM's servant,
37. CUNNINGHAM, JAMES [NOT ON ORIGINAL LIST] - James Cunningham
38. DESABYE, MR. A. = A Désabaye
39. DESABYE, Captain F. = Capt. F Désabaye
40. DOMINGUES, P -
41. DRAYTON, C = SAVED = Charles Drayton, Charleston, SC
42. FAUGH, MRS. - or possible duplicate of YAUGH
43. FINN. -
44. FLYNN, MRS. -
45. FLYNN, daughter 1
46. FLYNN, daughter 2
47. FULLER, - Charleston SC
48. FULLER, J H [NOT ON ORIGINAL LIST] - of NY
49. FULLER, G H [NOT ON ORIGINAL LIST] - of NY - "Mr. S. G. Fuller of South Carolina was about 28 years of age, and has friends residing in Brooklyn where he spent much of his time." [per survivor John D Roland]
50. HAZARD, - possible first name = Walton
51. HEVIERE, MAD. [NOT ON ORIGINAL LIST] - Madam Heviere, Charleston, SC
52. HILL, Captain = SAVED = Capt. Alfred Hill, Portsmouth, NH
53. HILL, MRS. - Portsmouth, NH, her husband identified her lifeless body - "Mrs. Alfred Hill, was the wife of Capt. Hill, who is among those saved from the devouring sea. Capt. H. when the boat struck, secured a spar, upon which he and his wife endeavored to reach the shore. They had almost gained the beach, when a sea struck them rolled both over the spar, and the husband was doomed to see the wife of his bosom carried from beyond his reach, just at the moment when he had believed they had escaped the horrible fate of so many of their companions. Mrs. Hill was a Welsh lady, about 24 years of age, and has left a little child, too young as yet to feel its loss. She was much esteemed by all who knew her. Capt. Hill has several times before this escaped the perils of shipwreck — and about seven years since was the only person saved on board a vessel taken by pirates, in the Gulf of Mexico. Every one else was murdered; he was saved by concealing himself in the hold, and as the vessel gradually filled with water, (having been scuttled by the pirates,) he floated out on a plank, and swam on shore, exposed to continual danger from sharks, and then had to walk twenty miles through mangrove bushes (fee, before he came to any human habitation." [per John D Roland, survivor]
54. HOLMES, J. = SAVED = Jabez Holmes, NY - an amiable and pious young gentleman of the house of Cornelius Baker & Co.
55. HUSSEY B B = SAVED = B B Hussey, Charleston, SC
56. HUSSEY, lady - Mary (Woodward) Hussey, Charleston, SC, her husband identified her lifeless body - daughter of Thomas Woodward of NY
57. JOHNSTON, JR., J. = James Johnston, Jr., Boston, MA
58. KENNEDY, - "Mr. Kennedy of Charleston, was a member of the Sophomore Class, in Yale College." [per survivor John D Roland]
59. LABADIE, -
60. LACOSTE, MRS. = SAVED = Mrs. La Costa, Charleston, SC ; although a very feeble old lady, aged about seventy years, was safely dragged out of the surf. She is supposed to have been buoyed up by a settee.
61. LAROCQUE, -
62. LEVY, MRS. - Charleston, SC - "The two lovely and accomplished Misses Levy, and their mother, returned to Charleston in the Home by mere accident. They spent the summer here (NY). One of them had come to the north for the recovery of her health. She had recovered and returned perfectly happy - happy the mother - happy the sister - happy she. On the day before the home sailed, Captain Cohen called on them. He told them he was returning in the Home. "I should like to go in the Home," said Mrs. Levy. Captain Cohen, after a great deal of entreaty, persuaded the ladies to return in the Home. They are now in the grave - he, the Captain, was saved."[Morning Herald, 18 Oct 1837] - "
63. LEVY, MISS - Charleston, SC
64. LEVY, MISS M. - Charleston, SC
65. LOVEGREEN, A. = SAVED = Andrew A Lovegreen, Charleston, SC
66. MATHER [NOT ON ORIGINAL LIST] = SAVED = John Mather, NY
67. MILLER, MRS. -
68. NOTT, Prof. - Columbia, SC - "Professor Nott and Lady were on their return to the south, after passing the summer recess of the Columbia (South Carolina) college in our more healthy region. Mr. Nott was a person of peculiar amiableness and intelligence. He had travelled extensively, and his writings after his return to his native land, had gained him much celebrity. It was in Belgium that he formed his matrimonial alliance, and Mrs. Nott, though a native of that country, died with many friends in ours, which she some years ago adopted as her own. The Professor himself, was a native of South Carolina, where his father was a judge. They left a young family behind them ; and numberless friends of their lamented parents, will deeply sympathize in their bereavement." [per John D Roland, survivor] - Professor Nott was a son of President Nott, of Union College ; and at the time of his death, held the office of Professor in the College at Columbia, South Carolina
69. NOTT, lady, - Columbia, SC, wife of the professor
70. PAINE, J - "Mr. Jas. Paine, was a resident of Mobile, aged about 25 years." [per John D Roland, survivor]
71. PALMER, G H - "Mr. Geo. H. Palmer was a son of Mr. Wm. Palmer of Jamaica, Long Island, who is in business in New York." [per John D Roland, survivor]
72. PRINCE, O.H. = Oliver Hillhouse Prince - "Hon. Geo. [sic] H. Prince and Lady, who with their servants were lost, had spent the summer at the north, where Mr. Prince was superintending the publication of the Laws of Georgia. He was formerly U. S. Senator from that state, and was highly esteemed for his virtues, talents and learning." [per John D Roland, survivor]
73. PRINCE, MRS. = Mary Ross (Norman) Prince, wife of Oliver H Prince.
74. QUINN, C = SAVED = Conrad Quinn, Jersey City, NJ
75. READ, W S = SAVED = William S Reed, New Haven, CT
76. RIVIERE, MRS. - "Mrs. Riviere also belonged to Charleston, where she was well known and much respected. She kept a millinary establishment in King-street." [per John D Roland, survivor]
77. ROBERT, MISS -
78. ROLANDS, J D = SAVED = J D Rowland, NY
79. ROLL, J M - James L or M Roll, possibly Saratoga
80. ROOT, J.
81. SALTUS, = SAVED = Capt. John/James Salter, Portsmouth, NH - "Captain Salter, a passenger, who was then (with the consent of Capt. White) in command of the Home, set all hands to pumping and bailing. ... Previous to striking the beach, Capt. Salter requested the Ladies to leave the after part of the boat & go forward, believing that their prospect of escape would be better there, should she run 'head on,' as was expected." [Cheraw Gazette, 25 Oct 1837]
82. SCHROEDER, MRS. = SAVED = Mrs. Shroder, Charleston, SC ; lashed herself to one of the timbers and reached the shore in safety.
83. SMITH, - "Mr. Thos. Smith, 30 years of age, a merchant of South Carolina." [per John D Roland, survivor] - caution, this might be the survivor below
84. SMITH, T. = SAVED = Thomas I or J Smith, Charleston, SC
85. SOLOMONS, P [NOT ON ORIGINAL LIST] - per Morning Herald - "Mr. P. Solomons of Columbia, S. C. is also among the plumber to be added to the unfortunate array of names of those, thus suddenly launched into eternity." [per John D Roland, survivor]
86. SPROTT, M [NOT ON ORIGINAL LIST] - per Morning Herald - "Mr. Sprott was of the house of Munday and Sprott of Benton. Alabama." [per John D Roland, survivor] ; he had gotten his ticket from Mr. L M Wiley
87. SPRAGUE, RICHARD [NOT ON ORIGINAL LIST] - Richard Sprague
88. STOWE, MISS - Athens, GA - or Miss Slow, possibly traveling with Mr. and Mrs. Prince
89. TILESTON, = William Horatio Tileston of NY, a businessman - "Mr. Wm. H. Tileston of New York was going south on a business tour, for the house with which he was connected. He had with him business notes for collection amounting to upwards of one hundred thousaid dollars. He was a young man of much promise, and greatly beloved by all who knew him." [per John D Roland, survivor]
90. TOMS, DAVID [NOT ON ORIGINAL LIST] - David Toms, Columbia SC
91. VANDERZEE, = SAVED = H Vanderzee, NY, businessman with Parish & Co. - "Mr. H. Yanderzee was going south on the business of the house of Parish & Co. of New York, with whom he is connected. He had a large amount of notes with him for collection, which he took the precaution to secure around his body. He jumped over- board when the boat struck, and was driven by the tide and surf a great distance. When almost exhausted, and about to give himself up to despair, a piece of the wreck was fortunately thrown in his way, by which he was enabled to support himself until he was washed ashore." [per John D Roland, survivor]
92. WALKER,
93. WALTON,
94. WELD, -
95. WHITING, W -
96. WHITING, MRS. - or Mrs. Whitney
97. WILEY, - [DID NOT BOARD] supposedly L M Wiley, of the house of Parish & Co., who exchanged his ticket with Mr. Sprott, of Benton, Alabama before the Home sailed
98. WILLEMAN, C - or C Willerman
99. WOODBURN [NOT ON ORIGINAL LIST] - per Morning Herald, he took the place of A W Roat of the firm of Roat and Taylor, of Charleston, SC, who had given up his passage
100. YAUGH, MRS. - possible duplicate of FAUGH

Crew

• "18 belonging to the boat [SAVED]." (from Capt. White's letter)
• 45 total crew / 25 lost (from Morning Herald)

1. Captain CHARLES WHITE = SAVED = Captain of the steamship
2. BLOOM, WILLIAM, NY = SAVED = fireman
3. BURNES, MICHAEL = SAVED = deck hand
4. DUFFEY, JAMES = SAVED = deck hand
5. JACKSON, JAMES = SAVED = deck hand
6. MARVIN, CALVIN (boy), NY = SAVED = deck hand
7. MATTHEWS, - reportedly the chief mate
8. MILLER, LEVI, Stamford, CT = SAVED = fireman
9. MILNE, DAVID, NY = SAVED = Steward - "The steward of the Home was Mr. David M. Milne, the son of a deceased clergyman, and who was saved, in a manner almost miraculous, to rejoice a pious mother, and a sister on missionary ground. From # him the following facts were afterwards obtained. ... [see his page]
10. SMITH, THOMAS, NY = SAVED = fireman
11. STONE, TIMOTHY, NY = SAVED = fireman
12. TRUST, JOHN = SAVED = deck hand
13. _____, SAMUEL = SAVED = deck hand
14. WAITER 1 = SAVED =
15. WAITER 2 = SAVED =
16. WAITER 3 = SAVED =
17. WAITER 4 = SAVED =
18. WAITER 5 = SAVED =
19. WAITER 6 = SAVED =
20. MATE 1 -
21. MATE 2 -
22. ENGINEER 1 -
23. ENGINEER 2 -
24. ENGINEER 3 -

• "20 passengers, 19 hands, 1 captain, total 40 souls saved." (from Capt. White's letter)
• total loss of 95 lives (Morning Herald)

External resources