1852: An Acadia Tragedy Unfolds (Part 13, Jun 11/25)
Newspaper reports of the accident
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 understand it today) but rather the vengeance of God on sinners. Dr. Cramp’s use of the word calamity seems deliberate when he placed his original article (quoted fully below) in the Baptist newspapers. This is especially noticeable when, later, another article about the accident refers to it as a ‘melancholy catastrophe’ as well as a calamity. Is it a matter of semantics, or something else? Read the full transcriptions below and decide for yourself.
An Extra was published in the Christian Messenger as soon as possible. The article is included below. As is often the case, the Christian Visitor included an article of the same text. Note that the survivor’s name is given as George Benjamin rather than Charles; an explanation for this misrepresentation cannot be found in the written evidence.
Christian Messenger Extra
Halifax, June 11, 1852.
After our paper of this day was struck off we received the following letter from Rev. Dr. Cramp—we hasten to furnish it in an Extra in order that the particulars of the mournful event to which it refers may be communicated to our friends with as little delay as possible—we attempt no expression of our own feelings on reading the heart rendering intelligence Dr. Cramp’s letter communicates—indeed we feel wholly unable to do so.
DISTRESSING CALAMITY!
DEAR BRETHEREN,
After sending you the telegraphic dispatch this morning I obtained full information respecting the Catastrophe which has spread “mourning, lamentation, and woe” throughout our Denomination in these Provinces, and now hasten to transmit it to you.
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. Four of the Students, Benjamin Rand, Anthony E. Phalen, W. Henry King, and William E. Grant consented to accompany them. -- There were also two boatmen, George Benjamin and Perez Coldwell. The following narration of the disaster is given, substantially, in the words of Benjamin, the only survivor.
They left Wolfville yesterday morning about five o’clock. The weather was then fine. They were three hours crossing over to the Cape, where the gentlemen landed, and remained till noon. It began to blow just before they started on their return, but became calm when they were between the Cape and Long Spell. It freshened again when they were about half way across, and veered round more to the South, heading them off towards Long Island. They tacked and stood across for Cornwallis, when they came about again they stood for Long Island Creek, intending to land there, as the wind had become stronger. When they were nearly half a mile from the Island a sea struck the boat and half filled her; they succeeded, however, in baling out nearly all the water, and put about the boat before the wind, purposing to run in at the back of the Island. Just then (it was about four o’clock) they were struck by a heavy sea, which swamped the boat immediately. She went down stern first, and turned bottom upwards. All with the exception of Grant (who sunk at once) and Professor Chipman, of whom presently, clung to the boat, and endeavoured to get upon it, when it turned completely round till it was bottom upwards again: Rand and King were lost in this last movement. 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. Soon after. Mr. Very was washed off, but he swam to the boat, and was assisted on it by 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.
Professor Chipman was upon the mainsail, which had got adrift when the boat upset. He was heard to call aloud for help, but none could be rendered. Benjamin saw him at about twenty rods distance, a few minutes before Mr. Very sunk: he appeared to be then dead.
The boat dragged towards the shore till it was right off the point of the Island, when it held on. Benjamin then stripped off his clothes and swam to the shore, which he reached in a very exhausted state. The boat was found this morning bottom upwards, but little injured.
Benjamin adds, that Messrs Very, Phalen, and Grant had suffered much from sea-sickness: Grant seemed to be quite disabled by it, which may account for his sinking immediately.
It is not surprising that in the confusion of such a struggle no words escaped them, indicating their inward feelings. All their energies were concentrated in the effort for self-preservation. The Lord understood the utterances of their hearts.
Careful search for the bodies is now going on. I hope we shall have the melancholy satisfaction of paying them the last sad tribute of affection and respect.
I cannot attempt reflections, for I can scarcely think. It is a stunning stroke. God have mercy on the widow and the fatherless—on the sorrowing friends—on our churches and institutions, so sorely bereft!Yours truly,
J.M. CRAMP.Acadia College,
June 8, 1852.
A Toronto newspaper called the Christian Observer, published a slightly different article in July 1852. The letter from Dr. Cramp, found under the heading ‘Miscellaneous’, is included below. Note the difference in wording and details.
A MELANCHOLY CATASTROPHE.
It is out painful duty to record the death of REV. E.D. VERY, who with several others were recently drowned near St. John, New Brunswick. Mr. Very was Editor of the Christian Visitor, published in St. John, and pastor of the church in Portland. The particulars of his sad occurrence are given in the following letter of Dr. Cramp, President of Acadia College:--
ACADIA COLLEGE, June 8, 1852.
MY DEAR BROTHER,
I sent a brief message this morning to Brother Demill, by telegraph. He has doubtless communicated to you the sad tidings. I sit down now to furnish a few particulars, as far as information has reached us.
On Lord’s day Brother VERY preached an excellent sermon from Romans viii. 29. He also delivered an address at the Missionary Convert in the evening—very appropriate, serious and forcible. Little did we imagine that we should hear his voice no more!
Yesterday morning, about 4 o’clock, our brother left my house for an excursion to Cape Blomidon in company with Professor Chipman and four of our Students, Messrs. Rand, Phalen, Grant and King. Two boatmen completed the party. Brother Very had anticipated much pleasure from the trip, having often heard of the mineral treasures of that locality, and intending to avail himself of the opportunity to collect specimens.
They spent a day in that pursuit, and were returning with the afternoon’s tide. As they approached our shore, the wind freshened, and at length blew a gale. The boat shipped a sea, which half filled her; they baled out the water, and were endeavouring to tack, for the purpose of taking shelter in the Habitant river, when the boat was again struck, filled with water, and swamped. Our friends clung to the boat in the hope of having themselves, but one by one they were washed away. Brother Very was the last ; he lost his hold once, but the surviving boatman (the other had already sunk) caught his hand and helped him to lay hold again ; shortly afterwards, however, he was washed off a second time, and sunk to rise no more. The boatman above-mentioned was the only one who escaped.
This distressing calamity occurred near Long Island, four miles from this place. The bodies have not yet been recovered, but it is thought probably that they will be found in a day or two. Any instructions respecting dear Brother Very’s remains, should they be found, will of course be carefully attended to.
It is indeed a heart-rendering sorrow. It is darkly mysterious. How many interests are effected by it—Families—Churches—the College—the Visitor—the Denomination ! The Lord is “gracious” as well as “righteous,” but sometimes, as in this instance, “Clouds of darkness are round about him.” May we be kept free from murmuring, and “humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God” !
I am, dear brother, your’s truly,
J.M. CRAMP.