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Identification of 34 bodies recovered from the S.S. “Caribou” sinking

Typed list of the identities of 34 bodies recovered from the sinking of S.S. Caribou

Photo:

Neil Burgess, Shipwreck Preservation Society of Newfoundland & Labrador Inc.

G. Penny, 1943, A Magisterial Enquiry into the Deaths of 34 Persons Whose Bodies were Recovered from the Sea Off Channel Head and Landed at Port aux Basques and Grand Bay on October 14th and 15th, 1942, Subsequent to the Sinking by Enemy Action in Cabot Strait of the “S.S. Caribou”.

Memorial University of Newfoundland, Archives & Special Collections, Cassie Brown collection, COLL-115, file 12.01.001

This is a list the identities of 34 bodies recovered by fishermen from the ocean near the site of the S.S. Caribou sinking. The bodies were recovered on October 14 and 15, 1942, and were brought to Port aux Basques.

The 34 bodies were identified as follows:

Crew members (S.S. Caribou):

  1. Benjamin Tavernor, Captain, Port aux Basques
  2. Stanley Tavernor, 1st Mate, Port aux Basques
  3. Harold Tavernor, 2nd Mate, Port aux Basques
  4. Thomas Moyst, 2nd Engineer, St. John’s
  5. Jerome Gale, Assistant Steward, Port aux Basques
  6. Maxwell French, 2nd Steward, Bay Roberts
  7. Bride Fitzpatrick, Stewardess, Bay Roberts
  8. Llewelyn Carter, Assistant Steward, Port aux Basques
  9. Arthur Thomas, Fireman, Port aux Basques


Civilian Passengers (adults):

  1. Harold M. Chislett, St. John’s
  2. John Sheppard, Auburn, New York
  3. William Robert Butler, Trinity East
  4. Mrs. J.A. Beswick, St. John’s
  5. A.W. Sime, St. John’s
  6. Kathleen Gardner, St. John’s
  7. Hugh B. Gillis, Sydney
  8. William H. Gerth, Camden, New Jersey
  9. Kathleen Skinner, Halifax
  10. Helen Wightman, Kentville, N.S.
  11. Oda Allen, Lunenburg, N.S.
  12. P.H. Cawley, Montreal


Civilian Passengers (children):

  1. Abigail Cluett, Rose Blanche
  2. Basil Skinner, Halifax, N.S.
  3. Shirley Bernard, North Sydney, N.S.
  4. Vera Strickland, Rose Blanche


Fighting Services:

  1. Eli Maxwell Bishop, R.N., Cavendish, Trinity Bay
  2. L.W. Trusdale, R.C.A.F., Gander
  3. Edward Bartlett, R.N., Portugal Cove
  4. T.H. Cummings, R.C.A.F., Gander
  5. G.C. Cochrane, Canadian Army, Bishop’s Falls
  6. Herbet H. Elkin, R.C.A.F., Gander
  7. E.S. Francis, Canadian Army, P.E.I. Highlanders, Gander
  8. James G. Abernathy, U.S. Army, Stephenville
  9. A.W. Wilkie, Nursing Sister, R.C.N.V.R., St. John’s

 

This list was the first page of the report of “A Magisterial Enquiry into the Deaths of 34 Persons Whose Bodies were Recovered from the Sea Off Channel Head and Landed at Port aux Basques and Grand Bay on October 14th and 15th, 1942, Subsequent to the Sinking by Enemy Action in Cabot Strait of the “S.S. Caribou”.” This report was dated February 13, 1943 and was written by Stipendiary Magistrate G. Penney.