“The Loss of the John Harvey”

Alternate titles: “The Wreck of the John Harvey”; “The John Harvey”
Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1959 (Peacock)
Keywords: rescue death sea ship storm wreck
Found in: Canada(Newf)

Description

The John Harvey sails from Gloucester for St Pierre in a hurricane and runs aground. Captain Kerley believes they will die. John Keeping ties a line around his waist and swims to shore; six of the crew are rescued. Keeping and one other died.

Notes

[The] shipwreck [took place] January 10, 1912 in Gabarus Harbour, out of Boston bound for St Pierre & Miquelon; [the] Captain [was] George Kearley (Northern Shipwrecks Database) - BS

References

  1. Peacock, pp. 950-951, "The Loss of the John Harvey" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. Roud #9934 and 3843
  3. BI, Pea950
The Traditional Ballad Index is copyright ©2008 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle. The Digital Tradition is copyright The Mudcat Cafe.