Still, The Poseidon Adventure was the first in which a band of survivors really took their fate into their own hands. Robert Burgess Hitchings is the Archivist/Historian at the Wallace Memorial History Room of the Norfolk County Historical Society located in the Chesapeake Central Library, 298 Cedar Road.As I noted in my opening take for The Poseidon Adventure week, Ronald Neame’s 1972 film wasn’t the first big disaster movie. And just as the movie’s theme song relates – “The Morning After” by Maureen McGovern – yes, the four crew men of the Sea Fox did see many mornings after. Looking back on the movie, “The Poseidon Adventure,” it’s hard to dispute the similarities. And many readers regarded this sea tragedy as a miracle: After all, why did the Sea Fox not sink? Knight and his crew for a remarkable rescue of the four crewmen of the Sea Fox. The citizens of New York and Pennsylvania made valuable donations to Capt. Upon arriving in Philadelphia, they were treated with kindness and hospitality. Knight and his crew for their safe deliverance.” As one survivor said, “God had delivered them, and they were all indebted to Capt. They recalled the horrors of water pouring into their section. Just as in the tale of the capsized Poseidon, these four crew members – in total darkness – had scrambled through barrels, chairs and debris to find an air-pocket that had saved their lives. Immediately, Knight ordered axes to cut a hole in the deck – and four cold, grateful, half-starved men came out of their watery grave. As they walked upon the wooden hull of the capsized ship, they heard voices and saw a stick running up and down through a crack. The waves had subsided and the crew of the John & Adam made a stunning discovery. Knight, was able to get to the wreck of the Sea Fox. Three days later, the John & Adam, commanded by Capt. Large sums of reward money were offered for any passengers, dead or alive. They were all lost in the fierce storm.Īt the end of article, the American-Beacon reports: “This subject is too painful to dwell on.”īut that’s when the true plot thickens to Poseidon-like dimensions.Ī few days later, two pilot boats were discharged to look for the Sea Fox wreck, but returned to port without finding a trace. Miss Dawson, a well-educated woman, was embracing her parents during the storm and actually sank from her parents’ arms into her brother’s arms while he was struggling to save her life. Levi Dawson, William Bev, a black man, were lost. Walker, Miss Matilda Dawson, her servant and four crewmen were all lost. McNeill of Jamaica, and their two children were all lost. Easterbrook of the British navy, his lovely wife Lady Easterbrook, who was the daughter of Dr. Smith had scooped them up and transferred them to the schooner Delaware.Īboard the Sea Fox that frightful night, things went badly for many who were later identified: Lt. But rough seas still made conditions difficult for the Iris to make a rescue. Wyer, his mate and two other sailors managed to get a few people in a lifeboat, and they stayed on the leeward side of the capsized boat – somewhat protected from the heavy wind and rain – until daybreak.Īs light approached, one of the passengers spotted a ship. Only three passengers made it to safety from their cabins. Before his orders could be implemented, the ship was struck down on its beams-end. Within seconds, Wyer was on top deck, giving orders to the crew to secure the top sails, but while attempting himself to secure a spanker-sheet, he was flung into the sea. The Sea Fox was moving along peacefully toward her destination when a sudden, large squall brought violent gusts of wind, torrential rain and heavy seas. Wyer turned over the ship’s wheel to his second mate and retired to his cabin at midnight. The night was calm and all seemed secure.Ĭapt. The passengers were all asleep in their cabins and four of her crewmen were settled in their forecastle (crews living quarters below ships deck). Kitts & Nevis), Wyer dismissed the ship’s pilot.Īs evening approached, Wyer took the usual precautions to bring down her sails, royal masts and riggings. As she approached the Wayland Islands and passed safely through the Narrows (a straight that separates the Caribbean islands of St. Her destination was Port-au-Prince, Haiti, with 22 passengers. The Sea Fox sailed out of New York on a beautiful, cloudless day on Oct.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |