Posted by Jim on August 12, 19101 at 14:41:12:
In Reply to: Re: Wells Burt -Crew Information? posted by Amy Willis on August 12, 19101 at 04:22:19:
: : My great great grandfather, Thomas Hickey, was a crew member of the Wells Burt when she went down.
: : Is there any place to find info on her crew?
: : I have the newspaper articles about her discovery, and the site map of the wreck.
: : Thanks.
:
Hi Sarah,
I am sure many others know a lot more about the Wells Burt than I do. You should talk to Jay Martin at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc. Jay is an expert in life aboard Great Lakes Commercial Sailing vessels. The museum also has a log book from the Wells Burt.
Here is a little info to get you started: The Wells Burt went down with Captain Thomas Fountain, his son Daniel Fountain, and nine crew including Thomas Hickey James White, William F. Cody, Edward Hanlon, Thomas George, Thomas W. McCarthy, Christie Mackon, John White, and Edward Lynch. It was reported in the Daily Inter-Ocean that several of the crew were members of Seamen's Union. The Union had become quite strong during the depression of the previous decade and they forbade their members to sail with non-union sailors, so it is probably safe to assume that entire crew, including your relative, were union sailors.
Some newspaper articles that contain Wells Burt info include, Chicago Tribune articles from May 19 - 28, 1883; Chicago Daily InterOcean May 22-28 and June 2, 1883; Chicago Daily News May 19, 21, 23, 24 1883; Detroit Free press July 13 1873 (Launch of the Wells Burt); Cleveland Herald May 24-26, 30, and June 6, 1883; Duluth Daily Tribune May 23-24, 1883; Fond du Lac Daily Reporter May 24 1883.
Hope this helps,
Jim