1852: An Acadia Tragedy Unfolds (Part 9, Jun 8/25)

Distressing Calamity on the Minas Basin

by Wendy Robicheau, Archivist

In June 1852, Acadia College mourned. A distressing calamity took place on the treacherous Minas Basin, cutting short the lives of one-quarter of the student body and half of the faculty. Two more men were swept away with them. Had not one man survived, we would have never known the story of what happened that day.

The legendary tale began early on the day of the seventh, when a small group of eight men left the safety of Wolfville’s harbour bound for the cliff of Cape Blomidon. Their goal? To hunt for geological specimens along the eroded cliff before the tide turned and the water crashed back against the rough shore. Participating in the expedition were four students, one professor, and one College Governor. The early morning sail to the bright, red cliff was navigated by two boatmen. During the calm trip as the sun rose, Professor Isaac Chipman might have taken the opportunity to instruct his pupils on current navigation techniques. Once on the beach near the cliff, the landing party spread out to search for specimens. With luck, they would find rocks and minerals to complement the growing geological collection at the Acadia College. Professor Chipman carried a fist-sized piece of red moss agate in his coat pocket, no doubt eager to describe the rare find and incorporate it in his Natural Philosophy lectures. It was not to be.

On the return trip to Wolfville harbour, as the tide forced back into the Minas Basin, the wind rose quickly. The crew fought to bring the boat under control, likely sensing the danger they faced. Captain Perez Coldwell and Charles Benjamin, both experienced sailors on the Minas Basin, directed the others with the single sail. It worked. In their struggle, they prevailed. What relief they must have felt, knowing that they were safe. The boat continued toward Wolfville harbour. But they were not safe. Again, the wind blew and with more ferocity. It blew against the rushing tide, creating a situation called a ‘confused sea’. Water spilled over the side of the boat as the swells grew taller and taller. With few options, the captain directed his crew to sail for the nearest point of land. They did not make landfall.

A wave hit the broadside of the boat, plunging over the vessel and cracking off the mast. All passengers hit the water violently. Student William Grant died almost instantly, his body floating away from the mastless boat. Imagine the terror the others felt as they understood this to also be their fate. In the water, they could not see shore. Waves continued to crash against the hull of the boat, plucking victims one-by-one. The boat rolled over. Students Benjamin Rand and Henry King sank together and did not return to the surface. Professor Isaac Chipman held onto the broken mast, floating away and appearing lifeless. Men clung to the sides of the boat, trying to pull each other to safety. What words did they utter in that moment? The boat rolled over again under the weight. Student Anthony Phalen and Captain Perez Coldwell were lost now. Boatman Charles Benjamin helped the College Governor, Rev. Edward D. Very, onto the hull. A large wave grabbed Rev. Very from the side, ripping him away from any hope of refuge. Only one man remained, Charles Benjamin, who held on until the boat drifted close enough to shore that he could swim to safety.

News of the calamity spread quickly through the local area and the College. Charles Benjamin spoke with the College President, Rev. Dr. J.M. Cramp, soon after the event. An ‘extra’ was issued through the newspapers to inform the community. For months following this distressing calamity, the newspapers printed articles relating to the victims. On June 11, another version of the accident will be posted.

In the next post, we begin commemorating the lives of the casualties.