the time of her final voyage in 1819, the Nantucket whaler Essex was aging, but still very successful . That was about to change. Her captain was George Pollard, a first mate from the previous voyage. In August 1819 the … Continue reading
The clipper Hornet had been made famous by her race with the Flying Cloud back in 1853. A race which she had won. Now in 1866 she was on a voyage from New York to San Francisco. Her captain, Josiah … Continue reading
In 1866 Fenians, members of the Irish Republic Brotherhood, were arrested. Among the military Fenians prisoners were Robert Cranston, Thomas Darragh, Michael Harrington, Thomas Hassett, Martin Hogan, John O’Reilley and James Wilson. In mid-October 1867 the 7 were among 63 … Continue reading
Harland and Wolff, the revolutionary builders of the Titanic and her sisters, combined with the prestigious White Star Line made enormous headway in the maritime industry. And inadvertently created a disaster, as we remember the sinking of the Titanic today. … Continue reading
Charles Herbert Lightoller lived an anything but droll life. Where the sailor could be found, adventure lurked not far behind. Born in 1874 in Lancashire, England, Lightoller was practically an orphan. His mother had died when he was a baby … Continue reading
In 1845 when the potato blight hit, the Irish relied heavily on the tuber as they had done in the past. It was their main, and for the majority, only source of food. It was also their means of paying … Continue reading
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