Ship wreck of the Lavinia Belle off Seguin Island – 1898
Ship wreck of the “Lavinia Belle” , June 19th, 1898
A 1842 two-masted 154 ton Schooner of Bangor, Maine, USA
Captain Olsen and five crew
Southeast coast of Seguin Island

Attempting to persist in night-time stormy weather, fighting high winds and growling seas, Captian Olsen had his worst fears come to life. “While 8 miles southwest of Seguin Island”, “Sunday morning of the 19th, Lavinia Belle rolled over on her beam side ends spilling her deck load of edging into the sea”.

1861 Two master Schooner  aka "Coasting Cargo Vessel"
1861 Two master Schooner
aka “Coasting Cargo Vessel”

As the sun rose, the fully waterlogged ship was afloat and adrift. After two hours of bobbing with swelling seas, the six sailors had a spot of luck whisk their way. The archives are not clear on who had the foresight, yet a crew member had dropped the yawl boat prior to capsizing. Still tied off to a submerged rail, the small craft had meandered close enough for boarding.

South view of Seguin Island
South view of Seguin Island

One bald oar, a handful of ambition and instinct guiding them, the shivering survivors washed ashore on Popham Beach. Due to the fact wooden cargo laden the deck and holds, the vessel washed ashore on the southeastern section of Seguin Island. Capt. Olsen enlisted Morse & Company to salvage the wreck. The tug “Adelia” was charged with the retrieval of the vessel and on the morning of June 20th the ruin arrived in Bath.

The "Lavinia Belle" June 19th, 1898  (F.O.S.I.L.S. archives)
The “Lavinia Belle” June 19th, 1898
(F.O.S.I.L.S. archives)

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