Norfolk Landmark, February 20, 1877

Disaster to Accomac (Va.) Oysters Schooners.

reprinted from Baltimore Sun.
Transportation -- Water - Personal injuryTransportation -- Water - WrecksWeather -- Northeast storms

Capt. S. H. Wilson, of the steamer Tangier, which arrived at Baltimore yesterday, from Snow Hill and Crisfield, Md. brings particulars of the recent schooner disasters in Tangier sound, on Monday night, February 12, during a heavy gale. Two schooners were capsized. The schooner J. T. H. Coburn was lost on Terrapin Sands, in Tangier sound, and all hands perished. The crew consisted of Thos. Salisbury, captain; Wm. Fox, mate; Edward Tignor, John R. Small, George Small (white men) and Simon Fletcher and Levin Joynes, colored hands. Mr. Fox was lashed to the rigging. His body was recovered and carried to Crisfield. He leaves a widow and two children. Tignor leaves a widow and five children. He was from Chesconnissick. Capt. Salisbury belonged to Onancock, Va. The schooner lays on her broadside and a party was preparing to dredge for the six bodies and right the vessel.

The schooner Delmy, Capt. Davis, was capsized off Fox Island, in Tangier sound. The crew was saved by their small boat, and the schooner was raised on Thursday, the 15th instant. The vessel belongs to Messongo Creek, Accomac county, Va., and is owned by Wm. H. Stant. When she was capsized the stove set the cabin on fire, and considerable damage was done in that way. Her sails were torn to shreds and it was estimated that it will cost $800 or $1,000 to make repairs.

Reports prevailed at Crisfield that the other disasters to vessels by the gale occurred, but there was no verification of them at the time the Tangier left. It is probable the casualties to the two schooners were the only ones, and that but the one crew was lost.

Norfolk Landmark
Norfolk, Virginia
February 20, 1877