The Cornelius Hargrave Shipwreck
New York and New Jersey's (Wreck Valley)
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CORNELIUS HARGRAVE
On November 1, 1890the four masted coal schooner Cornelius Hargrave
collided with the Spanish liner Vizcaya. Both ship went to a watery
grave. According to the New York Times " The disaster occurred at
8:30 o'clock Thursday night, and news of it reached the city
yesterday morning. The Vizcaya left her dock at Pier 21 at1 o'clock
bound for Havanna."; The Vizcaya had sixteen passengers and a cargo
of merchandise. The Cornelius Hargrave was outbound from
Philadelphia to Fall River. "This disaster was one that could have
been avoided. As a sailing vessel the schooner Cornelius Hargraves
had the right of way, but from all that can be learned, her officers
saw the approaching steamer while yet a long way off, a slight
change of course would have prevented the fatality. On the other
had, it was made certain that nothing existed to obstruct the view
of the third officer of the Vizcaya" Captain Allen of the Cornelius
Hargrave seized abroad axe cut away a lifeboat and jumped in.
Officer Walker "climbed the rigging and called out to the captain,
entreating him not to desert him." For God's sake, come back" he
cried. Capt Allen shouted something back which could not be
understood. Mr Walker remarked latter " I knew the coward had made
off, leaving the rest of the crew to perish miserably" A total of
sixty eight people lost their lives in the collision.
I know some NJ boats
that have been
excavating this wreck with a water dredge. They should be
uncovering some nice artifacts.
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On November 1, 1890the four masted coal schooner Cornelius Hargrave
collided with the Spanish liner 