Wreck of the American ship 'Squantum'
In February 1861, the India Office received a communication from the Foreign Office forwarding a letter from G M Dallas of the Legation of the United States, dated London 6 February 1861. Mr Dallas stated that the President of the United States had awarded a silver medal to Captain John L Gillet, a Custom’s Officer at Bombay, for the special efforts he had made in assisting the distressed crew of the American ship Squantum, which had been wrecked off the coast of Bombay in June 1860.
'Wreck of the Peacock' from Charles Wilkes, Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition ... 1838-1842 (1844) British Library shelfmark 10001.d volume 4 BL Images Online
Launched in December 1849, the Squantum was an American cargo ship owned by Messrs Thomas B Wales & Co of Boston. Commanded by Captain Miller, she left Boston on 18 February 1860 on a routine voyage to Bombay carrying 925 tons of ice and 50 tons of general cargo. The journey went smoothly until 14 June when she experienced difficult sailing conditions with high seas and cloudy squalls. Shortly after 9pm near the coast of Allybaugh, she struck in 5 fathoms of water, and with heavy seas pouring over her decks, she parted with her port anchor and was swept ashore onto a sandy point. Her masts were cut away, and with the sea making complete breeches over her, the captain, his family and the crew sheltered in the top-gallant forecastle for safety.
In the morning, an attempt was made by the mate and two crewmen to launch the lifeboat, but it was immediately struck by a heavy sea, splitting the bow open and rolling it over. Light rafts were then constructed from spars but none of the crew were prepared to try them after seeing what had happened to the lifeboat. The captain then knocked a panel out of a door which was lying on the deck, and asked his young son to have a go, to which he cheerfully and bravely said yes. Being a good swimmer and bound to the panel with rope, he was able to reach the shore, although not without some terrifying moments. Inspired by this heroic action, the rest of the crew consented to try the rafts, and in groups of two and three they eventually reached the shore. After the last crewman had gone, Captain Miller tied his wife to a plank, and they pushed off the ship. The turbulent sea rolled them over repeatedly, but they were able to keep their heads above water, and reached the shore safely .
Tragically, the cook got caught up in the ship’s rigging and, becoming exhausted, drowned. It was also later discovered that the carpenter and another member of the crew were missing, having perished in the attempt to reach shore. The crew were taken to Bombay, and housed in the Sailors' Home until arrangements were made for them to return home to America. Only three of the crew required hospital treatment, and Mrs Miller suffered with exhaustion and dysentery. Captain Miller praised his crew for obedience to orders in pumping the vessel and undertaking other necessary measures to keep her afloat after she was first struck. But for their efforts, a tragic event could have been much worse.
John O’Brien
India Office Records
Further Reading:
Award of a silver medal to Captain John L Gillet, Custom’s Officer at Bombay, for aiding the distressed crew and passengers of the American ship Squantum of Boston, Feb 1861, reference IOR/L/PJ/2/157 File 22/1.
British Newspaper Archive:
• Glasgow Herald, Monday 23 July 1860.
• Bombay Gazette, Friday 28 December 1860.