 1874 - 1912 (37 years)
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| Name |
Francis William Wilson |
| Birth |
2 Nov 1874 |
Jordanstown, Belfast, Ireland  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Occupation |
1901 |
| 1901 Belfast Census shows age 26, and a "carpenter at sea." |
| Residence |
1901 |
Belfast, Ireland |
Address:
9 Bloomfield Avenue
Belfast
Northern Ireland |
| Residence |
16 May 1907 |
Belfast, Ireland |
Address:
74 Bloomfield Avenue
Belfast
Northern Ireland |
| Death |
30 Aug 1912 |
Wharf, Port of East London, South Africa [1, 2] |
- According to the Register of Deceased Seamen at the National Archives:
Particulars of Deceased:
Name and Surname: Wilson, Francis or Frank
Age: 38
Rank or Rating: Carpenter
Birthplace: Belfast
Last Place of Abode: Birkenhead
Particulars of Ship:
Name: Clan Chisholm
Official Number: 106,017
Port of Registry: Glasgow
Tonnage: 1,680
Particulars of Death:
Date: 30 August 1912
Place: East London
Cause: Drowned
|
| Death |
31 Aug 1912 |
Port of East London, South Africa [3] |
From page 14 of the ship's log - Clan Chisholm:
11.30 a.m. 30th August 1912 at East London
"This day Francis Wilson Carpenter while painting the ?members? on the boom was discovered in the water by some Phaffins (?) on the wharf. Two Customs officers passing at the time and seeing the Phaffins [?] looking into the water also had a look and saw a man in the water. They immediately descended the piles of the wharf and got hold of him. Meantime other assistance was had from the ship and the man was pulled up on the wharf. Artificial Respiration was started at once and a doctor got immediately who on arrival pronounced the man dead. The police was notified who took charge of the body and a Post Mortem held the result of the finding being (not given) at time of Sailing."
"The finding of the Court has been reserved for Monday 2nd Sept. 1912"
|
| Possessions |
31 Aug 1912 |
Port of East London, South Africa [4] |
From the log of the "Clan Chisholm," page 15:
Inventory of F. Wilson's personal effects:
Cash: 6s 8d
Suits: 1 Blue serge, 1 Duck
Shirts: 5
Braces: 1 pr
Collars: 3 ??? 1 soft
Ties: 2
Socks: 5 prs
Handkerchiefs: 5
Singlets: 3
Underpants: 3
Hats: 1 straw
Boots: 1 pr sea 2 Walkg Boots
Jackets: 1 rough serge, 1 oilskin
Belts: 2 Flannel
Curtains: 4'
1 pr nail scissors
1 silver watch
1 pkt envelopes notepaper
1 piece shaving soap
1 Portmanteau
1 box containing carpenter's tools and 2 hammers
1 screwdriver
1 adge
1 brace but no bits
1 Gimlet
3 Caulking chisels
6 Wood chisels
1 Screw spanner
1 saw and 1 plane and 1 rule
1 clothes brush
1 hair brush and comb
1 nail brush
1 shaving brush |
| Record ID Number |
MH:I101 |
| Person ID |
I101 |
Walsh - Wilson Family Tree | Marjorie |
| Last Modified |
8 Mar 2009 |
| Father |
William Wilson, b. 1850/1851, County Antrim, Ireland |
| Mother |
Sarah Jane Todd, b. Abt 1855, County Antrim, Ireland |
| Marriage |
23 Oct 1872 |
St. Anne's Church of Ireland Parish, Belfast, Ireland |
| Record ID Number |
MH:F40 |
| Notes |
- 1901 Belfast Census shows William Wilson (age 52, shipwright) living with wife Sarah Jane (age 46, housekeeper) and children: Frank Wilson (age 26, carpenter at sea, single), Mary Ellen Wilson (age 24, machinist), Sarah (age 19, weaver), Alexander (age 11), James (age 6), and Thomas (age 5).
|
| Family ID |
F39 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family |
Sarah Ann Parker, b. 18 Apr 1876, High Street, Trevethin, Pontypool. Monmouthshire d. 02 Feb 1953, 54 Buddle Lane, Exeter, Devon (Age 76 years) |
| Marriage |
07 Jan 1903 |
St. Woolos, Newport, Monmouthshire [5] |
| Children |
| + | 1. Francis Todd Wilson, b. 16 May 1907, Belfast, Ireland d. 1981, Adelaide, South Australia (Age 73 years) |
|
| Documents |
 | Marriage Index - Jan-Feb-Mar 1903 - Francis Todd Wilson
The Newport, Monmouthsire marriage index shows Francis Todd Wilson as a groom in the first quarter of 1903. |
 | Marriage Document - Francis Todd Wilson and Sarah Ann Parker
Married 7 Jan 1903 at St. Woolos, Stow Hill, Newport, Monmouthsire - Married by Rev J. Gower Jones, B.A., curate. |
| Family ID |
F37 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Last Modified |
12 May 2009 |
-
| Documents
|
 | Birth Certificate - Frank Todd Wilson
Born at 74 Bloomfield Avenue, Belfast. Father's occupation is "Shipwright." |
 | Death Certificate for Francis Wilson - East London, South Africa
Researched on our behalf by Ann Clarkson - ebor@intekom.co.za |
 | Francis William Wilson Birth Certificate - Belfast
|
 | Clan Chisholm "Agreement and Account of Crew"
Page 1 - Voyage from Glasgow (9 July 1912) to India and back to the UK - Birkenhead (25 November 1912). From the Maritime History Archive at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada |
 | Clan Chisholm "Agreement and Account of Crew"
Page 2 - Voyage from Glasgow (9 July 1912) to India and back to the UK - Birkenhead (25 November 1912). Frank Wilson, a carpenter, is shown as living at 35 The Woodland, Birkenhead. Previously on the Calchas. From the Maritime History Archive at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada |
 | Clan Chisholm "Agreement and Account of Crew"
Page 3 - Voyage from Glasgow (9 July 1912) to India and back to the UK - Birkenhead (25 November 1912). Francis Wilson's is a Carpenter, and boarded on 12 July 1912. On 30 Aug 1912 he died in East London, South Africa. His wages to the time of death were £3:5:9. From the Maritime History Archive at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada |
 | Clan Chisholm "Agreement and Account of Crew"
Page 4 - Voyage from Glasgow (9 July 1912) to India and back to the UK - Birkenhead (25 November 1912).
Description of Francis Wilson's death: "fell from the side of the vessel's haws [hawsers? Def: 'A cable or rope used in mooring or towing a ship'] whilst performing his duties at the Port of East London fell into the river. The accident was unnoticed at the time and when the body was discovered in the water and recovered it was found that life was extinct. A Court of Inquiry has been held this day at East London but the finding has not been given up to the time of sailing. The master has handed over to me the account of deceased's wages together with the discharge book and the balance of wages due to deceased amounting to £3:5:9 which I have examined and certify to be correct. The remainder of the deceased's personal effects have been retained by the master and I have taken an inventory of the same which will be found endorsed in the official log under my official stamp and signature. /s/ Shipping Office, East London."
From the Maritime History Archive at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada |
 | Clan Chisholm "Agreement and Account of Crew"
Page 5 - Voyage from Glasgow (9 July 1912) to India and back to the UK - Birkenhead (25 November 1912). From the Maritime History Archive at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada |
 | Daily Dispatch Articles - August - September 1912 - East London, South Africa
These few clippings are quite poignant. The "Clan Chisholm" sails in to East London at 6:35 AM on 29 Aug 1912 from Algoa Bay (a wide inlet along the South African east coast, some 425 miles east of the Cape of Good Hope - the city of Port Elizabeth is situated in the bay) and docks at Number 3 wharf. On 30 Aug 1912 Francis Wilson falls into the river unnoticed, and drowns. On 2 Sep 1912, at 7:54 AM, the "Clan Chisholm" sails for Delagoa Bay (now Maputo Bay, or Baia de Maputois, an inlet of the Indian Ocean on the coast of Mozambique). Francis Wilson's body is sent to the East London Cemetery. |
 | Crew List of the "Calchas"
The crew list showing Francis (Frank) Wilson's service as carpenter on the "Calchas" from 14 Oct 1911 (at Birkenhead) until termination of voyage on 9 Feb 1912 (in London). His monthly pay was £7 0s 0d. The "Calchas" was built in Greenock in 1899, and was torpedoed and sunk by the Germans in 1917 as she sailed from New York with munitions on board. Abstract by Len Barnett. |
 | Frank Todd Wilson Birth Certificate - Belfast - 16 May 1907
The birth certificate for Frank Todd Wilson shows he was born at 74 Bloomfield Avenue, Belfast [Urban No. 13], on 16 May 1907 (registration 310). His father was Francis Wilson, a shipwright, and mother was Sarah Ann [Parker] Wilson. The informant was A. L. Parker [presumably Ann Louisa Parker, Sarah's sister]. |
 | Probate of Francis Wilson - Died 30 Aug 1912 in East London, South Africa
District Probate Registry at Chester - Francis Wilson abode at 35 The Woodlands, Birkenhead at time of his death. Widow Sarah Ann Wilson granted letters of administration. Value of estate Stg 140.0.0. Document dated 4 Mar 1913. |
| Headstones
|
 | Francis Wilson - Seaman
Gravestone for Francis Wilson at East Bank Cemetery, East London, South Africa
Information from the Interment Register held at Cambridge Cemetery, East London, South Africa:
Church of England Section 6C, Grave 404
Date of death: 30 Aug 1912
Place of death: Buffalo Harbour
Date of interment: 31 Aug 1912
Information and photograph courtesy of Anne Clarkson http://www.family-research.co.za/
Plot: Church of England Section 6C, Grave 404 |
 | Francis Wilson Grave - East London, South Africa
Church of England Section 6C, Grave 404 - Photograph courtesy of Ann Clarkson - http://www.family-research.co.za/
Plot: Church of England Section 6C, Grave 404 |
 | East Bank Cemetery, East London, South Africa
Anne Clarkson of http://www.family-research.co.za kindly took these photographs for us.
She indicated in her e-mail, "Just a quick email to say I am in East London and have just come back from the East Bank Cemetery, where I found Francis Wilson's grave. It has a small plaque reading Francis Wilson, Seaman. Luckily I managed to organise an escort from the Municipality. There are big signs at the cemetery entrance warning people that it is not safe to enter alone, and I wouldn't have dared to go in without my brawny escort, who looked bloodthirsty enough himself and was armed with a large crowbar!
"I was quite glad to have the crowbar-wielding chap with me, because while I was searching for the grave two rather scary looking characters came slinking out of the bushes. They turned tail and fled when my chap yelled at them in Xhosa and brandished his weapon. Looking at the photo of the cemetery it looks so peaceful!
"The graves are tidy enough, and the grass had recently been mown."
|
| Histories |
 | History of the Clan Chisholm
The history of the vessel Clan Chisholm, part of the Clan Lane. Built and launched on the Clyde in 1896. |
| Albums |
| Clan Chisholm (5)
Crew Agreements regarding the Clan Chisholm |
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| Sources |
- [S4925] Register of Deceased Seamen, Dec 1912, 1912 (BT334/53) (Reliability: 3).
Register of Deceased Seamen searched by Stephen T. J. Wright of London Research Service - www.LondonResearchService.com - and reported 21 Jun 2008. Wilson's death took place on 30 Aug 1912 but was not reported until Dec 1912, and then to the General Register Office of Ireland in Dublin.
- [S4928] Death Register for East London, 03 Sep 1912, Entry Number 567/1912 (Reliability: 3).
Death Certificate from East London shows Francis Wilson, a ship's carpenter, died at East London Wharf, and was buried in East London. Death was sudden, and "due to drowning, apparently accidental." An inquest was held, but no records relating to inquests after 1902 have survived. The Register of Inquests reports:
* Inquest No. 31 of 1912
* Held 31 August; continued 2 and 3 September
* Francis Wilson, a European male aged 38 years
* Presiding Magistrate: W J L McDonald, Assistant Resident Magistrate
* Verdict: Death due to drowning, apparently accidental
* Report sent to the Solicitor-General on 4 September 1912
Information kindly obtained by Anne Clarkson - ebor@intekom.co.za
- [S4934] Ships' Official Logs - Voyages Ending in 1912, 31 Aug 1912, Log of the Clan Chisholm - page 14, PRO BT 165/553. (Reliability: 3).
Abstract by Len Barnett - http://www.barnettmaritime.co.uk
- [S4934] Ships' Official Logs - Voyages Ending in 1912, 31 Aug 1912, Log of the Clan Chisholm - Page 15, PRO BT 165/553. (Reliability: 3).
Abstract by Len Barnett - http://www.barnettmaritime.co.uk
- [S4907] Free BMD Index, Jan-Feb-Mar 1903, Newport, Monmouthshire - Vol 11a - Page 255 (Reliability: 3).
http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=iFKFYbyfKbFXldMGtGaCHg&scan=1
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