The wreck of the S.S. Florizel

One of the most interesting things about doing genealogical research is being able to put individuals in an historical context. Here is an example. Until I started working on my husband's Newfoundland roots, I had never heard of the S.S. Florizel. Commissioned in 1909, she served primarily as a passenger ship. During a raging storm on February 24, 1918, she ran aground on Newfoundland’s southern shore (off Horn Head)

Only 44 of the 144 aboard survived. My husband's 2nd cousin twice removed, James McCoubrey, son of Adam McLarty McCoubrey and Mary Ann Maddick was among those who lost their lives.

Excerpt from the Twillingate Sun and Northern Weekly Advertiser
The same seaman also witnessed the drowning of W.F. Butler, Mrs. Butler and James McCoubrey. When conditions became unbearable, they tried to get to the Marconi house. Mrs. Butler was between her husband and McCoubrey, each of whom held her hands. When they made the attempt, a sea caught them full force and this was the last seen of them.
  For more information on the S.S. Florizel and the disaster, check out the following websites. http://branchlines.tripod.com/id33.html http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cannf/ss_hist.htm http://www.newfoundlandshipwrecks.com/Florizel/Documents/florizel_documents.htm  
Until next time.....