William Mcdonald of Peterhead Drowning River Savannah

[ryan37]

Trying to find any additional info on my grandmothers great uncle

William McDonald of Peterhead a ship carpenter parents john McDonald and helen m/s davidson

on the family headstone William is recorded as lost at sea onboard SS Azalea in the river Savannah , 11th oct 1882 age 27

however I found a newspaper clipping

info in article

PETERHEAD MAN DROWNED - William Mcdonald , a carpenter belonging to peterhead , 22 years of age , has been lost overboard the steamer ZELEA of Shields, on a voyage from Savannah to Hanover . Mr Mcdonald's father resides in Peterhead , and his father in-law is Captain Adams of the Zelea , who belongs to st fergus

Newspaper is from October 1882. notice his age differs from stone and the ships name , however mentions his inlaws

Is there anyway to find out more about this incident, the vessel and the captain , I have no knowledge on Williams married life and don't imagine he was married very long before he sadly drowned, im intrigued that his father inlaw happened to be the captain and never knew any of this as all I have is the headstone info ,


would be interested to find more info on William and the incident and his inlaws



thanks ryan

[mckha489]

There is another article with same info but also that he was age 22 and married that his father was John McDonald who at one time resided at Inverugie now of Dens of Peterhead

[mckha489]

Lloyd’s shipping lists. - it looks as though Azalea is the correct name

[mckha489]

Yes definitely the Azalea.
The death is in Ldeaths at sea” on FindMyPast.    It gives his seamen’s number which is 76634

[mckha489]

I think there is also a small fishing vessel (3crew) fish8ng in the English Channel. I’m not 100% sure but This seems to be a different vessel entirely. 

[hanes teulu]

The Banffshire Journal and General Advertiser, 31 Oct 1882, in reporting the incident, gives his age as 28 and " ... of the steamship Azalea ..."

[ryan37]

Thanks for all the valuable input folks , is there anything more on the capt adams I mentioned at beginning of the post , seems to have been his father in law ?


Ryan

[hanes teulu]

Newcastle Journal, 2 Feb 1882
"With respect to the screw steamer Azalea, Capt Adams, belonging to Messrs Joseph Robinson & Co, North Shields ..."

You could try googling for info. re the company and the ship itself. The Azalea was built 1877 and "went missing" 1897.

The Banffshire Journal article I mentioned also referred to William as son in law of Capt Adams.

[ev]

Have you looked for a possible marriage ?
The only likely marriage I can see is William McDonald / Mary Adams 1882 , St Nicholas Aberdeen.


ev