Acadia’s Archives and Special Collections remarkably starts with a letter from Isaac Chipman dated 1846. At that time, there was not even a completed College building to house historical collections. Yet, Professor Chipman was actively seeking donations to document the work of the Baptist Denomination and the colonies of British North America. Archivist Wendy Robicheau found the original letter...
Being only one of two faculty members at Acadia College in 1851/1852, President Cramp performed many of the administrative responsibilities of the College. He and Professor Chipman worked tirelessly to build an endowment and find sponsorships, while maintaining a full teaching load. They must have relied upon each other diligently. Then without warning, Professor Chipman—his passion for learning...
“Brother Very having a taste for geological pursuits felt desirous of obtaining specimens from Cape Blomidon, so well known as Professor Chipman’s favourite resort for that purpose. They agreed to form a party for a visit to the spot.” (Distressing Calamity, Christian Messenger extra, 11 June 1852, 1) Archivist Wendy Robicheau knew little about Rev. Very before this research but soon learned that...
“Soon after [Phalen and Coldwell washed away], Mr. Very was washed off, but he swam to the boat, and was assisted on it by [Charles] Benjamin. He held on by the stern for ten or fifteen minutes, when three heavy seas in succession broke over them, and swept Mr. Very away.” (Distressing Calamity, Christian Messenger extra, 11 June 1852, 1) The story told by Charles Benjamin and recounted in the...
“The remaining four still clung to the boat. They were washed off two or three times, but gained it again. At length, Phalen and Coldwell were washed off together, and rose no more.” (Distressing Calamity, Christian Messenger extra, 11 June 1852, 1) The story told by Charles Benjamin and recounted in the newspaper by Dr. Cramp helps us know that Mr. Coldwell fought the swells but could not keep a...
“The remaining four still clung to the boat. They were washed off two or three times, but gained it again. At length, Phalen and Coldwell were washed off together, and rose no more.” (Distressing Calamity, Christian Messenger extra, 11 June 1852, 1) The story told by Charles Benjamin and recounted in the newspaper by Dr. Cramp helps us know that Mr. Phalen was swept away from the boat and sank....
Not until June 11 did newspapers report the accident. Four days had passed. Three bodies had been discovered and two of them buried. Did rumours about the accident swirl through the community in that time? Had the story about the sinking been changed from a simple accident to a calamity? The use of the word “calamity” is worthy of note. In the 1850s, calamity did not imply a tragedy (as we...
“All [sic] clung to the boat, and endeavoured to get upon it, when it turned completely round till it bottom upwards again: Rand and King were lost in this last movement.” (Distressing Calamity, Christian Messenger extra, 11 June 1852, 1) The story told by Charles Benjamin and recounted in the newspaper by Dr. Cramp helps us know that Mr. King did not hold onto the boat as it turned over for at...
“All [sic] clung to the boat, and endeavoured to get upon it, when it turned completely round till it bottom upwards again: Rand and King were lost in this last movement.” (Distressing Calamity, Christian Messenger extra, 11 June 1852, 1) The story told by Charles Benjamin and recounted in the newspaper by Dr. Cramp helps us know that Mr. Rand lost his hold on the overturned boat as the victims...
“All with the exception of Grant (who sunk at once) and Professor Chipman, of whom presently, clung to the boat, and endeavoured to get up on it…” (Distressing Calamity, Christian Messenger extra, 11 June 1852, 1) The story told by Charles Benjamin and recounted in the newspaper by Dr. Cramp helps us know that Mr. Grant drowned immediately. Archivist Wendy Robicheau found more tributes to William...
