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In the early days of March 1914, the wooden hulled steamship, known as the S.S. Newfoundland, set out for the annual seal hunt. The S.S. Newfoundland had previously made this trip once a year for forty years. The Captain of the S.S. Newfoundland, Westbury Kean, was the son of Abram Kean, who was the Captain of the ship Stephano.2
Seal Hunt results of various vessels, 19371937
Elliston, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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Of all the men who made the trip that year, there were twelve from Elliston. On March 31st, 1914, the men of the S.S. Newfoundland were ordered to walk a great distance to the hunting area, due to the ship being stuck in the ice. The other crews were already in the area panning seals. Thirty four of these men decided to walk back to the S.S. Newfoundland two hours into the trek. The others continued on. When they reached the Stephano they had a meal of hard tack and tea. After that, Abram, the Captain of the Stephano, dropped the men off at a spot that he thought was three miles or so away from the S.S. Newfoundland.4
Seal1950
Elliston, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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There were one hundred and thirty two men in total out on the ice when the snow began. The snow soon turned into the worst snow storm of the year with piercing wind and perishing cold temperatures. Captain Westbury Kean, of the S.S. Newfoundland, did not go to retrieve his crew because he was under the assumption that they were all safely aboard the Stephano with his father. Not having a wireless radio was a big disadvantage, because he could not confirm this assumption, therefore, costing some of the men their lives. They were abandoned on the ice for fifty two hours. Out of the one hundred and thirty two men, seventy seven froze to death and one man died at the hospital. Of the twelve men from Elliston, eight passed away. These men were Benjamin Chaulk (age 35), Charles Cole (age 24), Albert John Crewe (age 16), Reuben Crewe (age 47), Alexander Sanger Goodland (age 22), Samuel Martin (age 52), William Oldford (age 22), and Noah Tucker (age 22).6
Sam Martin and Glen Hobbs Seal Hunting1950
Elliston, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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When found, father Reuben Crewe and son Albert John Crewe, were frozen in each others arms. Alexander Sanger Goodland, the son of John Goodland, was one of the bodies found by the S.S. Belleventure (the vessel sent to look for the lost sealers). John Goodland was on board this vessel when his son's frozen body was found.8
In uniform style coffins, the eight men were sent to the Way Station in Bonavista and transported by dog sled home to Elliston. The bodies were placed in the Orange Hall. The funeral was held at the Elliston Methodist Church, which was the largest to take place in the community.9
Charlie Martin, survivor of the Newfoundland Disaster1914
Elliston, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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Charles Lodge Martin was one of the four survivors of the Newfoundland Sealing Disaster who resided in Elliston. It was believed that rescuers had him laid aside with the dead when they noticed a slight movement in his body. As a result of his terrible ordeal, Charles lost seven fingers; three on his left hand and four on his right. He also lost part of both of his feet along with other bodily injuries. |
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