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Submitted by David Campbell - [email protected]

Captain Peter Simon Murchison, 1866 - 1919

The bond between newspaper and shipping was strong in the early 1900's. Shipping records were well documented in order to cover commerce and tourism. Shipping bonded the elite to the common man and still attracted the adventurous spirit of those excited by the constant dangers of sailing.

Captain Peter Simon Murchison, 1866 - 1919, followed the Murchison tradition as a ship captain, but left Prince Edward Island, Canada for the growing city of San Francisco, California. Here, his journeys and travails were well documented. He met his wife and raised his family. Their lives were honored with attention in the social pages as well as the shipping columns.

Raised in Point Prim, Prince Edward Island, Canada, Peter took up the family tradition of sailing. Like his father, he quickly became Captain and Master Mariner, which gave him the privilege of leading transcontinental commerce. As a young captain, he lost a vessel, the John Currier in Washington with details related in the Prince Edward Island papers.

It seems at this point he took his skills to San Francisco, married and raised his family. The most significant article in San Francisco occurred following the tragedy of the death of his younger brother in 1909. Captain Peter dutifully relates the horrific details of his efforts to save his young brother who was clinging to a line in rough seas before being lost.

Tragically, Captain Peter also lost a son to the sea about 15 years later. Of his 15 siblings 8 of whom were brothers, he lost 5 brothers and a brother in law to the sea. His siblings and nephews are tragically lost year after year. The 1881 - 1901 census records of Prince Edward Island document the sad decline of the full household becoming a home of orphans raised by spinster aunts and widows living in the house of Peter's parents who have both passed away by 1901.

The successful voyages are also listed in the San Francisco pages. Mere notes in the column of "Shipping Intelligence". They relay a very prolific career. There is chance that many or perhaps up to half of these entries should be credited to his brother, Captain Neil Donald Murchison. His brother was also a Master Mariner and lived in the San Rafael, California just north of San Francisco. But his brother's name, nor his initials are ever listed in the pages, so the details will never be known. Captain Peter is often listed by name and even his wife's social events are mentioned a couple of times. It's amazing to see the history year to year as Captain Murchison travels the coast for lumber and resources for the growing demands of early San Francisco.

THE STORY OF THE SHIPWRECK

Seattle, Washington Sept. 24

The revenue cutter Thetis arrived here today with the survivors of the American ship "John Currier". Wrecked in Nelson's Lagoon, Bristol Bay, on August 9th. There were 110 white men. 120 Japanese and Chinese and the wife and five children of Captain Murchison in the party.

According to Captain Murchison the "Currier" was driven ashore on August 9th by a fierce gale that came up during a fog. Before the Commander could make out his bearings his ship had been piled up on the rocks. The crew and the passengers were gotten off safely and the following morning when the fog lifted the crew took off all the ship's stores and the baggage of the passengers and crew.

It was estimated thirty days supplies were on hand but Captain Murchison given command of the party by tacit understanding ordered everybody on two meals a day. No warning was given, but it was thoroughly understood anyone stealing supplies would be shot. As a result there was no pilfering. Ten days after the party landed on a coast so bleak and barren that there was neither shelter nor food supplies, the "Currier" dashed herself to pieces on the rocks. From that time until the revenue cutter "MacCullock" appeared, September 11, not a ship hove in sight.

Immediately after landing, two members of the crew were sent away with an Indian guide to seek help, and this company intended to set out again just as the revenue cutter "MacCullock" appeared on September 11th. The "MacCullock" transferred her passengers to the Thetis which brought them here. A bread line on the Thetis was formed at meal hours. Captain Murchison and crew will be sent to San Francisco, the fishermen and the Oriental to Astoria, Oregon.

This is the actual ship the John Currier that Captain Peter Murchison sailed and lost in the late 1800�s.

The Morning Call, San Francisco, February 5th, 1895

SCHOONER MATE DROWNED

Washed Off the Jibboom in a Gale of Wind.

Working the Disabled Vessel Through the Heavy Seas and Watching for the Lost Seaman.

The schooner Fannie Adele, Captain Peter S. Murchison, which sailed from this port for Humboldt on the 5th inst., returned yesterday with her headgear a wreck and without her second officer. John M. Murchison, the brother of the captain, who fell overboard and was drowned on the night of the 7th inst. in latitude 38 north and longitude 125 west. About midnight, while the wind was blowing hard and the sea very high, the martingale was carried away, slacking the stays and placing the vessel in a dangerous predicament.

While out on the boom making fast the broken gear Mate Murchison was struck by a sea and washed from his place on the boom. The captain threw him a line as he floated past the schooner, which the luckless seaman caught and held to with a firm grip.

Every effort was made to heave the schooner to, but the wreck forward and the strong gale that was humming around the close-reefed sails made it impossible to check her speed. The crew tried to haul gently in on the line, but the vessel, rising and falling abruptly in the rough seas, jerked the rope through the drowning man�s hands, and finally it was wrenched from his grasp and he drifted out of sight. They could not lower a boat in the wild waves, but lay all night near the spot in their disabled condition, keeping the almost unmanageable schooner from broaching to and watching for the lost officer.

Murchison was a native of Prince Edward Island, unmarried and was about 21 years old. He was well known and very popular along the water front, having sailed in and out of this port for several years.

Shipping Intelligence listings of 57 journeys.

Link: The San Francisco Call - http://www.loc.gov/chroniclingamerica/ndnp:90941/issueList.html?titlePid=ndnp:90941

January 1, 1895	The Morning Call (San Francisco)
	January 1, 1895
	Latest Shipping Intelligence
	Schr (Schooner) Adele, Murchison, 13 days from Grays Harbor, lumber to Simpson Lumber Company
February 12, 1895	The Morning Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895
	February 12, 1895, Page 10, Image 10
	Sailed February 11
	Schr Fannie Adele, Murchison, Eureka
may 4, 1895	The Morning Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895
	May 04, 1895, Page 10, Image 10
	Sailed Friday, May 8
	Bktn Uncle John, Murchison, Seattle
May 20, 1895	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	May 20, 1895, Page 9, Image 9
	Shipping Intelligence
	Sailed Sunday, May 19
	Schr Fannie Adele. Murchison
August 2, 1895	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	August 02, 1895, Page 10, Image 10
	Sailed Thursday, August 1, 1895
	Schr Fannie Adele, Murchison, Grays Harbor
December 13, 1895	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	December 13, 1895, Page 12, Image 12
	Arrived Thursday, December 12
	Bktn Uncle John, Murchison, 18 days from Ta -
	coma; lumber, to San Francisco Lumber Co.
December 26, 1895	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	December 26, 1895, Page 10, Image 10
	Arrived WEDNESDAY, December 25
	Schr Fanny Adele, Murchison, 8 days from Grays
	Harbor; lumber, to E. K. Wood Lumber Co.
January 04, 1896	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	January 04, 1896, Page 12, Image 12
	Scnr Fannie Adele. Murchison. Willipa Harbor.
January 05, 1896	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	January 05, 1896, Page 27, Image 27
	Bcnr Fannie Adele, Murchison, Willapa Harbor.
January 31, 1896	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	January 31, 1896, Page 12, Image 12
	Sailed Thursday, January 30
	Bktn Uncle John, Murchison, Eureka.
February 13, 1896	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	February 13, 1896, Page 12, Image 12
	Scnr Fannie Adele. Murchison. Grays Harbor.
March 10, 1896	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	March 10, 1896, Page 10, Image 10
	Arrived Monday, March 9
	Schr Fanny Adele, Murchison, 7 days from
	Columbia River: 283 M ft lumber, to Antioch Lum -
	ber Co. Up river direct.
March 13, 1896	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	March 13, 1896, Page 12, Image 12
	Sailed Thursday, March 12
	Bktn Uncle John, Murchison, Eureka.
March 21, 1896	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	March 21, 1896, Page 12, Image 12
	Scnr Fannie Adele, Murchison. Tacoma.
March 31, 1896	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	March 31, 1896, Page 12, Image 12
	Bktn Uncle John. Murchison, 30 hours from Eu -
	reka: lumber, to J J Moore & Co..
April 19, 1896	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	April 19, 1896, Page 31, Image 31
	Arrived April 18, 1896
	Fanny Adele, Murchison, 9 days from
	Tacoma; lumber, to Hanson & Co.
May 03, 1896	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	May 03, 1896, Page 31, Image 31
	Sailed. Saturday, May 2
	Scnr Fannie Adele. Murchison, Tacoma
May 17, 1896	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	May 17, 1896, Page 31, Image 31
	Arrived Saturday, May 18.
	Bktn Uncle John. Murchison. 5 days from Grays
	llarbor: lumber. 10 Simpson Lumber Co.
August 10, 1896	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	August 10, 1896, Page 8, Image 8
	Arrived, Sunday, August 9.
	Schr Fanny Adele,. Murchison, 9 days from
	Grays Harbor; lumber, to S E Siade Lumber Co.
August 20, 1896	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	August 20, 1896, Page 12, Image 12
	Shipping Intelligence
	Scnr Fannie Adele. Murchison, Grays Harbor.
November 29, 1897	The San Francisco call (San Francisco [Calif.]): November 29, 1897, p. 9 - Image 11
January 7, 1898	The San Francisco call (San Francisco [Calif.]): January 7, 1898, p. 9 - Image 9
	Bktn Uncle John. Murchison, 14 day* from
	New Whntcom; lumber to rtellingham Bay Im -
	provement Co.
January 15, 1898	The San Francisco call (San Francisco [Calif.]): January 15, 1898, p. 11 - Image 11
	Arrived Friday, January 14
	Bktn Uncle John. Murchison. New Whatcom
March 27, 1898	The San Francisco call (San Francisco [Calif.]): March 27, 1898, p. 30 - Image 30
	Sailed Saturday, March 26
	Schr Ivy, Murchison. Grays Harbor.
April 18, 1899	The San Francisco call (San Francisco [Calif.]): April 18, 1899, p. 8 - Image 8
	Arrived April 17
	Brig Courtney Ford, Murchison. 10 days from Olympia
May 7, 1899	The San Francisco call (San Francisco [Calif.]): May 7, 1899, p. 30 - Image 30
	Cleared Saturday, May 6
	Schr Falcon, Murchison, Unalaska; North
	American Commercial Co
July 07, 1899	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	July 07, 1899, Page 8, Image 8
	Shipping Intelligence
	Schr Falcon, Murchison. 14 days from Unga.
November 30 1899	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco) ,
	November 30 1899
	Schr Falcon, Murchison. 20 days from Coos Bay.
December 30, 1899	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	December 30, 1899, Page 11, Image 11
	Cleared Friday, December 29
	Schr J H Colman, Murchison, Hilo' J. D. Spreckels & Bros. Co.
Thursday, March 01, 1900	The San Francisco Call
	TREANOR-In this city, February 28 1900.
	Ellen, beloved mother of William. S. G, and
	Hilda C. Treanor and Mrs. J. J. Reilly, Mrs.
	C W. Mallett, Mrs. A. W. Doyle and Mrs.
	Captain P S Murchison, a native of County
	.Armagh, Ireland, aged :72 years.
Thursday, March 08, 1900	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	March 08, 1900, Image 8
	Arrived Wednesday, March 7.
	Schr J M Colman. Murchison. 15 day from Hilo
Tuesday, August 21, 1900	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	August 21, 1900, Image 10
	Brig Courtney Ford. Murchison. 12 days from
	Tacoma.
Sunday, April 14, 1901	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	April 14, 1901, Image 22
	CLEARED Saturday, April 13.
	Ship John Currier, Murchison, Bristol Bay
	Alaska Packers Association.
Wednesday, March 19, 1902	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	March 19, 1902, Image 5
	Schr Courtney Ford, Murchison, 9 days from
	Port Ludlow
Thursday, April 10, 1902	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	April 10, 1902, Image 7
	SAILED
	Wednesday. April 9
	Schr Courtney Ford. Murchison, for Port
	Hadlock.
Thursday, June 26, 1902	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	June 26, 1902, Image 5
	Sailed Wednesday June 25
	Schr Polaris. .Murchison, Salinas Cruz.
Thursday, July 02, 1903	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	July 02, 1903, Image 10
	Shipping Intelligence
	CLEARED
	"Wednesday, July 1
	Schr Polaris, Murchison, 9 � days from Port
	Gamble
Monday, September 08, 1902	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	September 08, 1902, Image 5
	Buford Anchors off her Berth
	Leaking Boilers Cause Her to Lay Up at Honolulu
	Big Transport Brings more that 1000 Souls from Philipines.
	Eighth Infantry; Second
	Lieutenant W. G. Murchison
Friday, April 03, 1903	The San Francisco call (San Francisco [Calif.]): April 4, 1903 - Image 7
	Arrived April 3.
	Schr Polaris, Murchison. 9 days from Port Ludlow
Friday, April 24, 1903	The San Francisco call (San Francisco [Calif.]): April 24, 1903 - Image 10
	Sailed Thursday April 23
	Schr Polaris, Murchison, Port Gamble.
Thursday, July 02, 1903	The San Francisco call (San Francisco [Calif.]): July 2, 1903 - Image 10
	Sailed July 1.
	Schr Polaris, Murchison, 91/2 days from Port
	Gamble.
Sunday, October 29, 1905	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	October 29, 1905, Page 39, Image 39
	Saturday. October 28.
	Bktn Planter. Murchison, Port Blakeie
Thursday, January 11, 1906	The San Francisco call (San Francisco [Calif.]): January 11, 1906, p. 11 - Image 11
	Sailed Wednesday January 10
	Bktn Planter, Murchison Port Blakeley
Sunday, April 29, 1906	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	April 29, 1906, Page 2, Image 2
	Shipping Intelligence
	Arrived April 28
	Bktn Planter, Murchison, 12 days
	from Port Gamble.
Sunday, June 03, 1906	The San Francisco call (San Francisco [Calif.]): June 3, 1906, p. 31 - Image 31
	Arrived
	Bktn Planter, Murchison, 12 days
	from Port Gamble.
Friday, June 22, 1906	The San Francisco call (San Francisco [Calif.]): June 22, 1906, p. 12 - Image 12
	Steamer City of Peking has many Passengers from Panama and way ports
	Mrs. Louisa Murchison and daughter
	(This is Peter Murchison's wife)
Sunday, July 15, 1906	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	July 15, 1906, Page 42, Image 42
	Shipping Intelligence
	SAILED.
	Saturday. July 14.
	Bktn Planter, Murchison, Port. Gamble
Tuesday, August 14, 1906	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	August 14, 1906, Page 12, Image 12
	TACOMA. Aug. 13.�The American barkentine
	Planter, Captain Murchison. was towed to sea to -
	day from Port Gamble, lumber-laden, for San
	Francisco.
Thursday, August 23, 1906	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	August 23, 1906, Page 7, Image 7
	Arrived Wednesday August 22
	Bktn Planter, Murchison, 10 days from Port. Gamble
Monday, February 25, 1907	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	February 25, 1907, Page 7, Image 7
	Arrived Saturday Aprill 22
	Bktn Planter, Murchison, 10 days from Port. Tacoma
Saturday, October 23, 1909	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	October 23, 1909, Page 27, Image 27
	Shipping Intelligence
	Schr Melrose. Murchison.: 16 days from Mukiltco: 800 M ft, lumber to Crown lumber company.
Saturday, January 15, 1910	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	January 15, 1910, Page 21, Image 21
	Bktn John C. Meyer. Murchison, 75 days from
	New Castle. N. S. 1,328 tons coal lo Hind,
	Kolph &. Co.
Wednesday, May 11, 1910	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	May 11, 1910, Page 17, Image 17
	Captain P. S. Murchison of the bark John C.
	Meyer has presented Manager Delanty: of- the
	Grays Harbor stevedore company with a fine oil
	painting of the Meyer, painted by an artist In
	Newcastle.
Monday, July 04, 1910	The San Francisco Call (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913
	July 04, 1910, Page 7, Image 7
	Schr Melrosc, Murchison, 10 days from Ever -
	ett; 800,000 feet lumber to the Charles Nelson
	company.