# Codseeker

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Canadian fishing vessel

History Name Codseeker Owner Reuben B. Stoddart[1][2] Port of registry Barrington, Nova Scotia, Canada Builder Thomas Coffin & Company; Port Clyde, Nova Scotia, Canada Cost $2,000[citation needed] Launched April 21, 1877 Completed April 19, 1877 Maiden voyage May 8, 1877 Stricken 1953 ("No longer exists") Identification 75543 (Official Number)[3] Notes Capsized May 9, 1877. Towed in, refitted. Sold foreign: 1886[citation needed] General characteristics Type Schooner Tonnage 29.5 GRT Length 58 ft 6 in (17.83 m) Beam 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m) Draft 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) Decks 1 Sail plan Gaff rig Crew 13

***Codseeker***[a] was a Canadian fishing [schooner](/source/Schooner) launched in April 1877 and [capsized](/source/Capsizing) the following month east of [Cape Sable Island](/source/Cape_Sable_Island), at the southwestern tip of [Nova Scotia](/source/Nova_Scotia), resulting in the loss of four lives.[4] The ship is primarily remembered for its two crew members who remained trapped inside the hull until being rescued three days later. *Codseeker* was later repaired and returned to service; its ultimate fate is unclear.

## Description

The schooner *Codseeker* was constructed at [Port Clyde, Nova Scotia](/source/Port_Clyde%2C_Nova_Scotia), in 1877 by [Thomas Coffin](/source/Thomas_Coffin_(Nova_Scotia_politician)) & Company.[5] At the time, the Coffins were known for their beautifully crafted ships, mostly [schooners](/source/Schooners) and [square-rigged](/source/Square-rigged) ships which sailed all over the world.[6] She was a wooden vessel, constructed for the profitable, yet dangerous fishing along the coasts of [Nova Scotia](/source/Nova_Scotia) and [Newfoundland](/source/Newfoundland_and_Labrador).

The schooner was 58 feet 6 inches (17.83 m) long, with a beam that reached 18 feet 5 inches (5.61 m).[7] *Codseeker* had a net gross ton[*[ambiguous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*] of 42 and [registered ton](/source/Gross_register_tonnage) of 29.5.[8] The vessel sailed with the standard rigging and [gaff](/source/Gaff_rig) [topsail](/source/Topsail). A schooner with her dimensions would have required a certain amount of [ballast](/source/Ballast) to combat lateral forces against the sail. However, *Codseeker* was not built with the customary amount of counterbalance, most likely due to the schooner's depth.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Capsizing

On 9 May 1877, while on her very first fishing outing,[b] the new schooner capsized just east of [Cape Sable Island](/source/Cape_Sable_Island). Eastern wind had been increasing the entire day and had turned into a storm, which caused strain on the slender vessel. Once the wind increased, the schooner started rolling heavily to its leeward side, often taking its time to recover.[10] At this time, Captain Phillip Brown ordered the [mainsail](/source/Mainsail) down, and headed for land.[11] According to Brown, sailing towards the Shoal of the Rock would mean a shorter and steeper run of sea, and therefore no need to reef the [foresail](/source/Foresail).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] However, the lightness of the vessel, being empty in the hold, caused severe and unnatural rocking and she gradually careened over until *Codseeker* was flat on the [beam ends](/source/Glossary_of_nautical_terms_(A%E2%80%93L)#beam_ends). Half of the schooner's deck became submerged in the frigid waters of the [Atlantic Ocean](/source/Atlantic_Ocean).

Quickly after *Codseeker* keeled over, Brown, as well as a cook and another young fisherman, were able to locate a fishing [dory](/source/Dory_(boat)), which sat between the [foremast](/source/Foremast) and the [mainmast](/source/Mainmast) of *Codseeker*. Once the three men dislodged the small dory, they attempted to rescue the remaining men, but had drifted out too far while bailing the excess water out of the dory.[12] The next morning, the men in the dory made it back to land.[13] Arriving in [Barrington](/source/Barrington_Passage%2C_Nova_Scotia), newspapers initially reported that the rest of the crew had drowned.[14]

### Rescue efforts

There were a total of 13 men on *Codseeker*, and after those in the dory reached shore and reported the capsizing, the American schooner *Matchless*, under the command of Captain Job Crowell, set out on May 10 to search for survivors, sailing through heavy seas.[15][13] It found the *Codseeker* and was able to rescue four men clinging to the wreckage.[16] However, unknown to those survivors and their rescuers, two men were still trapped alive inside *Codseeker*.[17] On May 12, the American schooner *Ohio* was passing by the wreckage when members of its crew, dispatched to identify the capsized vessel, realized that survivors were still onboard and rescued crewmen James Smith and Samuel Atwood by chopping into the hull with an axe.[18] One account states the men had been trapped in the ship for 89 hours.[19]

Of the 13 men of the *Codseeker*, nine survived the capsizing: three via the dory, four rescued by the *Matchless*, and two rescued by the *Ohio*. Of the four men who did not survive, two died below deck when the ship capsized,[20] and one surnamed Nickerson was washed away and drowned while awaiting rescue by the *Matchless*.[21] *Codseeker* was later towed to [Green Cove](/source/Port_Maitland%2C_Nova_Scotia)[22] in [Yarmouth County](/source/Yarmouth_County) by the two schooners *Condor* and *Dove*.[23] Upon arrival, three bodies were found in the ship.[22]

### Crew roster

Names of the crew of the *Codseeker* were published in the *[Boston Evening Transcript](/source/Boston_Evening_Transcript)* of 12 May 1877:[24]

- Phillip M. Brown (master)

- Samuel Atwood

- Robert Bass

- William Goodman

- Ziba Hunt Jr.

- Norman Newell

- J. Nickerson

- James Smith

- Jesse Smith

- John Smith

- John E. Smith

- two unnamed boys

Brown, Atwood, and James Smith are known to have survived, while Nickerson is known to have perished. There are inconsistencies between the *Transcript* list and other sources, including Nickerson's given name and mention of survivors named Will Kenney[25] and Tanny Knowles.[26]

## Aftermath

By July, just two month after her capsizing, *Codseeker* was repaired and back at sea.[27] The captain of the *Ohio*, Edwin O. Dorr,[c] was presented with a gold watch by the Canadian government[d] in recognition of his life-saving efforts.[e]

How long the *Codseeker* remained in service is unclear, as mentions of the ship other than its capsizing,[14] rescuing of trapped crew members,[32] and being towed into port,[22] are absent from contemporary newspaper reports. One later account states the ship subsequently survived "the [great Newfoundland gale of 1885](/source/List_of_shipwrecks_in_October_1885#11_October)."[33] Canadian records indicate it was registered as late as 1903.[3] The ship continued on the registry books until 1953, when her registration showed a closure reason of "no longer exists".[34] A 1937 newspaper article stated the *Codseeker* was refitted then "lost will all hands on its seconds voyage",[31] but this lacks corroboration.

A relatively complete retelling of the event appeared in *[The Sun](/source/The_Sun_(New_York_City))* of New York City in June 1884.[35] Additional detail, especially a first-person account by survivor James Smith, appears to date from the article "The Wreck of the Cod-Seeker", attributed to Colin McKay and published in many American newspapers during 1914.[13] A variant of that account was published as late as 1945 in England.[36]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** *Cod-Seeker* or *Cod Seeker* in some sources.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** The ship had previously sailed to [Halifax](/source/Halifax%2C_Nova_Scotia) for provisions.[9]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Dorr died in October 1933, reportedly the day before his 85th birthday.[28]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** A letter accompanying the watch, quoted in Dorr's obituary, was signed by [Albert James Smith](/source/Albert_James_Smith), Minister of Marine and Fisheries.[28]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** One source says the watch was presented to the Captain Crowell of the *Matchless*,[29] but this is contradicted by several sources discussing Captain Dorr of the *Ohio*.[30][28][31]

## Sources

- Easton, Alan (1992). *Terror On The Coast: The Wreck of the Codseeker*. Nimbus Publishing Limited. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1551090252](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1551090252).

- Murphy, William M. (1976). ["The Wreck of the Codseeker"](https://archive.org/details/greatcanadianadv0000unse/page/260/mode/2up?q=codseeker&view=theater). *Great Canadian Adventures*. The Reader's Digest Association (Canada). pp. 261–269. [SBN](/source/SBN_(identifier)) [888500513](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-888500513) – via archive.org.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["COD SEEKER"](https://internationalmaritimelibrary.org/cod-seeker/). *internationalmaritimelibrary.org*. Retrieved October 8, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Murphy p. 262.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-LAC_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-LAC_3-1) ["Item: 12385: COD SEEKER"](https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/ship-registration-index-1787-1966/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=12385&DotsIdNumber=). *[Library and Archives Canada](/source/Library_and_Archives_Canada)*. Retrieved October 8, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Marine Heritage Database: Codseeker - 1877"](https://novascotia.ca/museum/wrecks/wrecks/shipwrecks.asp?ID=985). *novascotia.ca*. [Maritime Museum of the Atlantic](/source/Maritime_Museum_of_the_Atlantic). Retrieved October 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Easton

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Easton

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Easton

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Easton

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Murphy p. 262.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Murphy p. 261.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Murphy p. 262.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Murphy p. 263.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-McKay_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-McKay_15-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-McKay_15-2) McKay, Colin (April 23, 1914). ["The Wreck of the Cod-Seeker"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-shelton-clipper-the-wreck-of-the-cod/133083179/). *The Shelton Clipper*. [Shelton, Nebraska](/source/Shelton%2C_Nebraska). p. 5. Retrieved October 7, 2023 – via newspapers.com.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-PDP_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-PDP_16-1) ["Schooner Capsized and Thirteen Men Drowned"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-portland-daily-press-schooner-capsiz/133079237/). *[Portland Daily Press](/source/Portland_Daily_Press)*. May 11, 1877. p. 2. Retrieved October 7, 2023 – via newspapers.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Murphy p. 263.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Murphy p. 264.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Murphy p. 264.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Murphy pp. 265–268.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Murphy p. 268.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Murphy p. 262.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Murphy p. 264.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-towed_24-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-towed_24-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-towed_24-2) ["Maritime Miscellany"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-daily-herald-maritime-miscellan/133084380/). *[New York Herald](/source/New_York_Herald)*. June 2, 1877. p. 10. Retrieved October 7, 2023 – via newspapers.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Easton

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["The Morning News"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/boston-evening-transcript-the-morning-ne/133126610/). *[Boston Evening Transcript](/source/Boston_Evening_Transcript)*. May 12, 1977. p. 2. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via newspapers.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Murphy p. 264.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Murphy p. 269.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Murphy p. 269.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BDN_30-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BDN_30-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-BDN_30-2) ["Capt. E. O. Dorr"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bangor-daily-news-capt-e-o-dorr/133121368/). *[Bangor Daily News](/source/Bangor_Daily_News)*. [Bangor, Maine](/source/Bangor%2C_Maine). October 26, 1933. p. 4. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via newspapers.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** Murphy p. 269.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** ["(untitled)"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-journal-untitled/133120784/). *[Sun Journal](/source/Sun_Journal_(Lewiston%2C_Maine))*. [Lewiston, Maine](/source/Lewiston%2C_Maine). March 20, 1879. p. 2. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via newspapers.com.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-buxton_35-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-buxton_35-1) Buxton, Henry (January 22, 1937). ["Capt. Dorr of Bucksport Hero of Weird Tale"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bangor-daily-news-buxton/133084588/). *[Bangor Daily News](/source/Bangor_Daily_News)*. [Bangor, Maine](/source/Bangor%2C_Maine). p. 10. Retrieved October 7, 2023 – via newspapers.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** ["Sparks from the Telegraph"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montreal-star-sparks-from-the-telegr/133089806/). *[Montreal Star](/source/Montreal_Star)*. May 16, 1877. p. -1. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via newspapers.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** Murphy p. 269.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** Vessel Registry, [Maritime Museum of the Atlantic](/source/Maritime_Museum_of_the_Atlantic). Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** ["Three Salt Sea Stories"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-three-salt-sea-stories/133132163/). *[The Sun](/source/The_Sun_(New_York_City))*. New York City. June 29, 1884. p. 7. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via newspapers.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-41)** McKay, Colin (June 2, 1945). ["Five Days In A Floating Tomb"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-illustrated-leicester-chronicle-five/133082269/). *Leicester Chronicle*. [Leicester](/source/Leicester), England. p. 10. Retrieved October 7, 2023 – via newspapers.com.

## Further reading

- ["Derelict Holds Two Imprisoned At Sea For Days"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/nanaimo-daily-news-derelict-holds-two-im/133082656/). *[Nanaimo Daily News](/source/Nanaimo_Daily_News)*. [Nanaimo](/source/Nanaimo), British Columbia. [CP](/source/The_Canadian_Press). December 1, 1933. p. 6. Retrieved October 7, 2023 – via newspapers.com.

v t e Shipbuilding in Atlantic Canada Shipbuilders John M. Blaikie Ezra Churchill Frieze and Roy James Havelock Harding William D. Lawrence Ebenezer Moseley Amos Pentz Joseph Salter Richard W. Smith and George A. Rhuland Shipyards A. F. Theriault Shipyard ABCO Industries Dartmouth Marine Slips Eatonville Halifax Shipyard Marystown Shipyard Osmond O'Brien Shipyard Smith & Rhuland Snyder's Shipyard Thompson Bros. Machinery Co. Ltd. Scotia Trawler Limited William D. Lawrence Shipyard Ships Atlantic Oak Atlantic Spruce Black Watch Bras d'Or Calburga Governor Cornwallis (ferry) Governor Parr Hamburg Skoda Maid of England Nellie J. Banks I'm Alone Codseeker Sir Charles Ogle Sir Wilfred Grenfell Havana Morning Light Point Chebucto Sherman Zwicker Tikoma Venture Walton William D. Lawrence

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Codseeker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codseeker) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codseeker?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.