Overnight on the night of Wed, 3 Feb. 1932 (technically at 12:20 a.m. on Thu, 4 Feb 1932), the M.S. Bidwell, an oil tanker belonging to the Sun Oil Company (nka Sunoco), exploded and burned at the Sinclair Dock in Marcus Hook, PA. Seventeen men aboard were killed. Harry Eugene Ockelman, the 33-year-old Second Mate from New York, was one of them. In the local newspaper, his name was misprinted as Harry T. Ackerman. His body was never recovered. A little-known fact is that Harry was the birth father of Hollywood actress Veronica Lake, who was born Constance Frances Marie Ockelman.
Luana Dawn Alger, 28 Jul 2019
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Harry Eugene Ockelman was born on 6 Dec 1897 and was baptized on 13 Feb 1898 at Broad Street United Methodist Church in Philadelphia, PA.
On 2 Jan 1901, three-year-old Harry was traveling on the British ocean liner, the RMS Campania. He was accompanied by someone named Henry Walker and they were departing from Queenstown (now Cobh), County Cork, Ireland. Nearly three-months later, on 31 Mar 1901, Harry, his mother and his two-year-old sister, Alice, were all documented either living in or on an extended visit to the home of his maternal grandparents, Michael and Anne Collins, in Jamestown, County Westmeath, Ireland.
On 16 Apr 1910 and again on 9 Jan 1920, the U.S. Federal Census logs Harry living with his parents and four younger siblings, Alice, John, Anna and Frederick, in a mortgaged home at 22 West Garfield Street, Norwood, Deleware Co., PA. In 1910, his mother states that she has five children still alive out of the eight that were born to her. His father, shown as a Sea Captain in 1910 and the Captain of an oil ship in 1920, was born in Denmark and his mother was born in Ireland. His father reported that he was already a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1910 and his mother reports the same in 1920, which was also when Harry was documented as being employed as a quartermaster in the merchant marines. This is odd considering
Harry enlisted in the Merchant Marines on 9 Jun 1917. In Aug 1917 he was mustered in as being attached to the 77th Company, 1st Machine Gun Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA. According to his WWI Veterans Service and Compensation File, he was discharged by the USNavy on 23 Aug 1919.
On 17 Sep 1921, Harry married Veronica Constance Frances Trimble in Brooklyn, Kings County, NY.
On 8 Apr 1930, Harry, his wife, Veronica, and their 7-year-old daughter, Constance, are living at a rented apartment at 395 Maple Street, Apt. A-1, Brooklyn, NY. His occupation is reported to be an apartment complex superintendant.
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DEATH TOLL OF TANKSHIP BLAST RISES TO EIGHTEEN; FOUR VICTIMS IN HOSPITAL
Coroner J. E. Scheehle and Sun Oil Company Officials Conducting Investigation to Determine Cause for the Explosions That Wrecked Steemer Bidwell at Marcus Hook Early Yesterday Morning
Acts of Heroism on Part of Rescuers Revealed --- Workman Who Risked Life to Save Wife of Captain Rivers Commended --- Charred Body of Skipper Found in Quarters on Ill-Fated Vessel
While investigators scanned the hulk of the oil tanker Bidwell, which blew up at Marcus Hook early yesterday, the death toll today was placed at eighteen with one missing and a woman and three men battling for their lives in Chester Hospital. The boat was shattered by four terrific blasts while lying in dock at Marcus Hook.
Questioning of injured survivors failed today to explain the tragedy.
Most of the crew were asleep or on shore leave when the blasts tore open one side of the ship.
The death list may mount today. Olaf Rasmussen, 32, of Forest City, Ia., is believed dying of his burns and injuries at the Chester Hospital, Chester.
Others in the hospital, less seriously injured, are Mrs. Viola Rivers, of Jamaica, N. Y., wife of the captain; Lero McMahon, 27, of Fostoria, Tex., and William Major, of Chester.
Twelve dead were counted at the Chester morgue, and others were given up for lost and their names added to the gruesome list.
After a systematic search of the hold of the steamship Bidwell for four missing members of the tank cleaning gang proved futile, it is now believed the bodies of the men were hurled into the river and drowned.
Searching parties have been engaged by the Sun Oil Company to watch and grapple for the bodies. It is said by experienced rivermen that, owing to the cold weather, it may be some time before the bodies come to the surface.
As searchers finally were able to board the ship which for hours had been a raging inferno, bodies of men charred beyond recognition were found.
Still more bodies, blown into shapeless masses, were located aboard the ship of death.
More victims, injured beyond recovery, died at hospitals.
Sun Oil Company officials are at a loss to account for the cause of the blasts. In an effort to solve the mystery surrounding the origin of the first blast, which ignited the ship and led to the other explosions, a minute examination of the charred and warped debris of the steel vessel is now in progress.
As the toll kept mounting hourly, officials still were unable to determine what mischance had set off the first devastating explosion at 12:20 a.m. That first blast, which turned what had been an ordinary boat into a scene of horror, was followed by three other blasts within twenty-five minutes. The countryside within a radius of twenty miles had been shaken and rocked. Thousands of sleeping persons were awakened and terrified.
It "might have been" a spark which set off a gas pocket in the hold of the ship while the tanks were being cleaned of the residue of crude oil -- which had been brought from Texas and unloaded Tuesday -- so that gasoline could be put into them, some investigators said.
Official Death List
The list of known dead and the five given up for lost was compiled after a check; but because of the condition of some of the bodies it was impossible to establish exact identities. The list follows:
CAPTAIN JOSEPH B. RIVERS, 33, Hollis, Long Island, master of the Bidwell.
* Correction: CAPTAIN JOSEPH HEWETT RIVERS *
EDWARD RUSSELL, 35, of 463 West Twenty-first street, New York City, seaman.
EDWARD GIELOW, 32, Michigan City, Ind., seaman.
STEPHEN MARKE, 31, 322 Gaskill street, Philadelphia, seaman.
* Correction: STEPHEN MARK *
STEVE GARDNER, 42, of 245 Hayes street, Chester.
* Correction: STEPHEN GARDNER *
LEROY HAMILTON, 21, Marietta, Ga., seaman.
* Correction: LE ROY SEABURN 'LOY' HAMILTON *
MARION SARAGA, 36, of 1570 Huddell avenue, Linwood, Pa.
* Correction: MARIJAN MARIAN 'MAX' SARAGA *
ROBERT A. NELSON, 29, of 123 Harvey avenue, Linwood, Pa.
* Correction: ROBERT ALAN NELSON *
T. E. DRESHAUER, 27, of 1642 Phanes street, Baltimore, quartermaster of the Bidwell.
* Correction: PAUL DRESSHAUER *
JOHN TESTICH, 44, of 3033 East Sixth street, Chester.
CARL MILDE, Hamburg, Germany, boatswain.
W. L. OLIVER, 32, Charlotte, N. C., quartermaster assistant.
* Correction: WILLIAM LEWIS OLIVER, JR. *
EDWARD ANDERSON, 49, of 1427 East Front street, Plainfield, N. J.
GRANT PIERCE, 34, Elmira, N. Y., quartermaster assistant.
* Correction: GRANT W. PIERCE *
H. H. DERNDSTON, of 1525 Forest avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
A. A. McNAB, 55, of 210 Tenth avenue, New York City, chief mate.
HARRY T. ACKERMAN, 33, New York, second mate.
* Correction: HARRY EUGENE OCKELMAN *
The injured:
WILLIAM MAJOR, 37, of 212 West Front street, Chester, oiler.
Mrs. VIOLA RIVERS, 28, wife of the captain of the Bidwell.
OLAF RAUSSMUSSEN, 32, Bar City, Iowa.
LEE R. McMAHAN, 27, Fostoria, Tex., wireless operator.
The charred body of Captain Rivers was found in his quarters. He had gone back to salvage his logbook and personal records and paid with his life for his devotion to the duties of the sea -- to save the log if possible.
Several other members of the crew missed death or injury by having gone ashore for the night. Included among these are John Peterson, John Ball, a cook, and Terrence O'Connor, 21, of 748 East Westmoreland street, Philadelphia.
O'Connor missed death through his devotion to his widowed mother. Her husband died only recently and she was supporting a family of six with the help of Terrence. He had gone home for the evening to take $5 to her to "help out a bit." That saved his life.
Ball, a World War veteran in describing the horror, said it "scared him" and reminded him of bombardments in France.
And so the stories of survivors went. Almost to a man, those who had come through the thing alive had done their level best to save a fellow worker.
Into the record of the oil company, however, were inscribed a saga of heroism on the part of the members of the crew of the ill-fated ship, many of whom braved death to rescue comrades who had been disabled by the first blasts. Another risked his life to save the life of Mrs. Viola Rivers, wife of the captain, the only woman aboard.
The first revelation of the heroism of the crew came when the charred body of Captain Joseph Rivers, skipper of the tanker, was extricated from the blackened hull of the wrecked ship. True to the traditions of the sea, he had stood by his ship to the last, perishing in his attempts to save his men.
Further disclosures of the bravery of the crew came last night when Coroner J. E. Scheehle revealed how Edward Cartain, 29, of Buckman Village, near here, had rescued Mrs. Rivers from certain death. She had been tossed in the Delaware River and was being drawn towards the flaming ship when Cartain jumped from shore, where he had reached safety, and finally managed to bring her ashore, although he was almost exhausted.
"His was the most startling example of bravery," said Coroner Scheehle. "The man, who apparently was on the dock, rushed to the ship when the flames started to rage, jumped into the water and swam to the hole which had been torn in the side of the ship."
"Mrs. Rivers was floating nearby unconscious, and was being carried slowly towards the opening. Undoubtedly she would have been drawn into the inferno in the hold. She wore a life preserver and bobbed in a sea of burning oil."
"In another minute she would have been in the flames, but Cartain, who certainly ought to be recommended for a medal, reached her in time and then swam heroically with her to the dock."
"Then with an unheard of modesty he disappeared," Coroner Scheehle said.
Many of the bodies of the dead were charred almost beyond recognition.
The Chester Times,
Chester, Pennsylvania
Fri, 5 Feb 1932
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Disclaimer:
All pertinent information I have included here can be verified by U.S. Federal Census Records for the family in conjunction with various public records, including any documents I may upload to this memorial.
Though I can not prove with 100% certainty that this family's composition and relation status is as I display it to be, I can say that the circumstantial evidence weighs very heavily in favor of the accuracy of these stated familial connections.
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Luana Dawn Alger, 28 Jul 2019
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Harry Eugene Ockelman was born on 6 Dec 1897 and was baptized on 13 Feb 1898 at Broad Street United Methodist Church in Philadelphia, PA.
On 2 Jan 1901, three-year-old Harry was traveling on the British ocean liner, the RMS Campania. He was accompanied by someone named Henry Walker and they were departing from Queenstown (now Cobh), County Cork, Ireland. Nearly three-months later, on 31 Mar 1901, Harry, his mother and his two-year-old sister, Alice, were all documented either living in or on an extended visit to the home of his maternal grandparents, Michael and Anne Collins, in Jamestown, County Westmeath, Ireland.
On 16 Apr 1910 and again on 9 Jan 1920, the U.S. Federal Census logs Harry living with his parents and four younger siblings, Alice, John, Anna and Frederick, in a mortgaged home at 22 West Garfield Street, Norwood, Deleware Co., PA. In 1910, his mother states that she has five children still alive out of the eight that were born to her. His father, shown as a Sea Captain in 1910 and the Captain of an oil ship in 1920, was born in Denmark and his mother was born in Ireland. His father reported that he was already a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1910 and his mother reports the same in 1920, which was also when Harry was documented as being employed as a quartermaster in the merchant marines. This is odd considering
Harry enlisted in the Merchant Marines on 9 Jun 1917. In Aug 1917 he was mustered in as being attached to the 77th Company, 1st Machine Gun Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA. According to his WWI Veterans Service and Compensation File, he was discharged by the USNavy on 23 Aug 1919.
On 17 Sep 1921, Harry married Veronica Constance Frances Trimble in Brooklyn, Kings County, NY.
On 8 Apr 1930, Harry, his wife, Veronica, and their 7-year-old daughter, Constance, are living at a rented apartment at 395 Maple Street, Apt. A-1, Brooklyn, NY. His occupation is reported to be an apartment complex superintendant.
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DEATH TOLL OF TANKSHIP BLAST RISES TO EIGHTEEN; FOUR VICTIMS IN HOSPITAL
Coroner J. E. Scheehle and Sun Oil Company Officials Conducting Investigation to Determine Cause for the Explosions That Wrecked Steemer Bidwell at Marcus Hook Early Yesterday Morning
Acts of Heroism on Part of Rescuers Revealed --- Workman Who Risked Life to Save Wife of Captain Rivers Commended --- Charred Body of Skipper Found in Quarters on Ill-Fated Vessel
While investigators scanned the hulk of the oil tanker Bidwell, which blew up at Marcus Hook early yesterday, the death toll today was placed at eighteen with one missing and a woman and three men battling for their lives in Chester Hospital. The boat was shattered by four terrific blasts while lying in dock at Marcus Hook.
Questioning of injured survivors failed today to explain the tragedy.
Most of the crew were asleep or on shore leave when the blasts tore open one side of the ship.
The death list may mount today. Olaf Rasmussen, 32, of Forest City, Ia., is believed dying of his burns and injuries at the Chester Hospital, Chester.
Others in the hospital, less seriously injured, are Mrs. Viola Rivers, of Jamaica, N. Y., wife of the captain; Lero McMahon, 27, of Fostoria, Tex., and William Major, of Chester.
Twelve dead were counted at the Chester morgue, and others were given up for lost and their names added to the gruesome list.
After a systematic search of the hold of the steamship Bidwell for four missing members of the tank cleaning gang proved futile, it is now believed the bodies of the men were hurled into the river and drowned.
Searching parties have been engaged by the Sun Oil Company to watch and grapple for the bodies. It is said by experienced rivermen that, owing to the cold weather, it may be some time before the bodies come to the surface.
As searchers finally were able to board the ship which for hours had been a raging inferno, bodies of men charred beyond recognition were found.
Still more bodies, blown into shapeless masses, were located aboard the ship of death.
More victims, injured beyond recovery, died at hospitals.
Sun Oil Company officials are at a loss to account for the cause of the blasts. In an effort to solve the mystery surrounding the origin of the first blast, which ignited the ship and led to the other explosions, a minute examination of the charred and warped debris of the steel vessel is now in progress.
As the toll kept mounting hourly, officials still were unable to determine what mischance had set off the first devastating explosion at 12:20 a.m. That first blast, which turned what had been an ordinary boat into a scene of horror, was followed by three other blasts within twenty-five minutes. The countryside within a radius of twenty miles had been shaken and rocked. Thousands of sleeping persons were awakened and terrified.
It "might have been" a spark which set off a gas pocket in the hold of the ship while the tanks were being cleaned of the residue of crude oil -- which had been brought from Texas and unloaded Tuesday -- so that gasoline could be put into them, some investigators said.
Official Death List
The list of known dead and the five given up for lost was compiled after a check; but because of the condition of some of the bodies it was impossible to establish exact identities. The list follows:
CAPTAIN JOSEPH B. RIVERS, 33, Hollis, Long Island, master of the Bidwell.
* Correction: CAPTAIN JOSEPH HEWETT RIVERS *
EDWARD RUSSELL, 35, of 463 West Twenty-first street, New York City, seaman.
EDWARD GIELOW, 32, Michigan City, Ind., seaman.
STEPHEN MARKE, 31, 322 Gaskill street, Philadelphia, seaman.
* Correction: STEPHEN MARK *
STEVE GARDNER, 42, of 245 Hayes street, Chester.
* Correction: STEPHEN GARDNER *
LEROY HAMILTON, 21, Marietta, Ga., seaman.
* Correction: LE ROY SEABURN 'LOY' HAMILTON *
MARION SARAGA, 36, of 1570 Huddell avenue, Linwood, Pa.
* Correction: MARIJAN MARIAN 'MAX' SARAGA *
ROBERT A. NELSON, 29, of 123 Harvey avenue, Linwood, Pa.
* Correction: ROBERT ALAN NELSON *
T. E. DRESHAUER, 27, of 1642 Phanes street, Baltimore, quartermaster of the Bidwell.
* Correction: PAUL DRESSHAUER *
JOHN TESTICH, 44, of 3033 East Sixth street, Chester.
CARL MILDE, Hamburg, Germany, boatswain.
W. L. OLIVER, 32, Charlotte, N. C., quartermaster assistant.
* Correction: WILLIAM LEWIS OLIVER, JR. *
EDWARD ANDERSON, 49, of 1427 East Front street, Plainfield, N. J.
GRANT PIERCE, 34, Elmira, N. Y., quartermaster assistant.
* Correction: GRANT W. PIERCE *
H. H. DERNDSTON, of 1525 Forest avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
A. A. McNAB, 55, of 210 Tenth avenue, New York City, chief mate.
HARRY T. ACKERMAN, 33, New York, second mate.
* Correction: HARRY EUGENE OCKELMAN *
The injured:
WILLIAM MAJOR, 37, of 212 West Front street, Chester, oiler.
Mrs. VIOLA RIVERS, 28, wife of the captain of the Bidwell.
OLAF RAUSSMUSSEN, 32, Bar City, Iowa.
LEE R. McMAHAN, 27, Fostoria, Tex., wireless operator.
The charred body of Captain Rivers was found in his quarters. He had gone back to salvage his logbook and personal records and paid with his life for his devotion to the duties of the sea -- to save the log if possible.
Several other members of the crew missed death or injury by having gone ashore for the night. Included among these are John Peterson, John Ball, a cook, and Terrence O'Connor, 21, of 748 East Westmoreland street, Philadelphia.
O'Connor missed death through his devotion to his widowed mother. Her husband died only recently and she was supporting a family of six with the help of Terrence. He had gone home for the evening to take $5 to her to "help out a bit." That saved his life.
Ball, a World War veteran in describing the horror, said it "scared him" and reminded him of bombardments in France.
And so the stories of survivors went. Almost to a man, those who had come through the thing alive had done their level best to save a fellow worker.
Into the record of the oil company, however, were inscribed a saga of heroism on the part of the members of the crew of the ill-fated ship, many of whom braved death to rescue comrades who had been disabled by the first blasts. Another risked his life to save the life of Mrs. Viola Rivers, wife of the captain, the only woman aboard.
The first revelation of the heroism of the crew came when the charred body of Captain Joseph Rivers, skipper of the tanker, was extricated from the blackened hull of the wrecked ship. True to the traditions of the sea, he had stood by his ship to the last, perishing in his attempts to save his men.
Further disclosures of the bravery of the crew came last night when Coroner J. E. Scheehle revealed how Edward Cartain, 29, of Buckman Village, near here, had rescued Mrs. Rivers from certain death. She had been tossed in the Delaware River and was being drawn towards the flaming ship when Cartain jumped from shore, where he had reached safety, and finally managed to bring her ashore, although he was almost exhausted.
"His was the most startling example of bravery," said Coroner Scheehle. "The man, who apparently was on the dock, rushed to the ship when the flames started to rage, jumped into the water and swam to the hole which had been torn in the side of the ship."
"Mrs. Rivers was floating nearby unconscious, and was being carried slowly towards the opening. Undoubtedly she would have been drawn into the inferno in the hold. She wore a life preserver and bobbed in a sea of burning oil."
"In another minute she would have been in the flames, but Cartain, who certainly ought to be recommended for a medal, reached her in time and then swam heroically with her to the dock."
"Then with an unheard of modesty he disappeared," Coroner Scheehle said.
Many of the bodies of the dead were charred almost beyond recognition.
The Chester Times,
Chester, Pennsylvania
Fri, 5 Feb 1932
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Disclaimer:
All pertinent information I have included here can be verified by U.S. Federal Census Records for the family in conjunction with various public records, including any documents I may upload to this memorial.
Though I can not prove with 100% certainty that this family's composition and relation status is as I display it to be, I can say that the circumstantial evidence weighs very heavily in favor of the accuracy of these stated familial connections.
*•.¸¸❤❤¸.•**•.¸¸❤❤¸.•**•.¸¸❤❤¸.•*
Overnight on the night of Wed, 3 Feb. 1932 (technically at 12:20 a.m. on Thu, 4 Feb 1932), the M.S. Bidwell, an oil tanker belonging to the Sun Oil Company (nka Sunoco), exploded and burned at the Sinclair Dock in Marcus Hook, PA. Seventeen men aboard were killed. Harry Eugene Ockelman, the 33-year-old Second Mate from New York, was one of them. In the local newspaper, his name was misprinted as Harry T. Ackerman. His body was never recovered. A little-known fact is that Harry was the birth father of Hollywood actress Veronica Lake, who was born Constance Frances Marie Ockelman.
Luana Dawn Alger, 28 Jul 2019
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Harry Eugene Ockelman was born on 6 Dec 1897 and was baptized on 13 Feb 1898 at Broad Street United Methodist Church in Philadelphia, PA.
On 2 Jan 1901, three-year-old Harry was traveling on the British ocean liner, the RMS Campania. He was accompanied by someone named Henry Walker and they were departing from Queenstown (now Cobh), County Cork, Ireland. Nearly three-months later, on 31 Mar 1901, Harry, his mother and his two-year-old sister, Alice, were all documented either living in or on an extended visit to the home of his maternal grandparents, Michael and Anne Collins, in Jamestown, County Westmeath, Ireland.
On 16 Apr 1910 and again on 9 Jan 1920, the U.S. Federal Census logs Harry living with his parents and four younger siblings, Alice, John, Anna and Frederick, in a mortgaged home at 22 West Garfield Street, Norwood, Deleware Co., PA. In 1910, his mother states that she has five children still alive out of the eight that were born to her. His father, shown as a Sea Captain in 1910 and the Captain of an oil ship in 1920, was born in Denmark and his mother was born in Ireland. His father reported that he was already a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1910 and his mother reports the same in 1920, which was also when Harry was documented as being employed as a quartermaster in the merchant marines. This is odd considering
Harry enlisted in the Merchant Marines on 9 Jun 1917. In Aug 1917 he was mustered in as being attached to the 77th Company, 1st Machine Gun Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA. According to his WWI Veterans Service and Compensation File, he was discharged by the USNavy on 23 Aug 1919.
On 17 Sep 1921, Harry married Veronica Constance Frances Trimble in Brooklyn, Kings County, NY.
On 8 Apr 1930, Harry, his wife, Veronica, and their 7-year-old daughter, Constance, are living at a rented apartment at 395 Maple Street, Apt. A-1, Brooklyn, NY. His occupation is reported to be an apartment complex superintendant.
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DEATH TOLL OF TANKSHIP BLAST RISES TO EIGHTEEN; FOUR VICTIMS IN HOSPITAL
Coroner J. E. Scheehle and Sun Oil Company Officials Conducting Investigation to Determine Cause for the Explosions That Wrecked Steemer Bidwell at Marcus Hook Early Yesterday Morning
Acts of Heroism on Part of Rescuers Revealed --- Workman Who Risked Life to Save Wife of Captain Rivers Commended --- Charred Body of Skipper Found in Quarters on Ill-Fated Vessel
While investigators scanned the hulk of the oil tanker Bidwell, which blew up at Marcus Hook early yesterday, the death toll today was placed at eighteen with one missing and a woman and three men battling for their lives in Chester Hospital. The boat was shattered by four terrific blasts while lying in dock at Marcus Hook.
Questioning of injured survivors failed today to explain the tragedy.
Most of the crew were asleep or on shore leave when the blasts tore open one side of the ship.
The death list may mount today. Olaf Rasmussen, 32, of Forest City, Ia., is believed dying of his burns and injuries at the Chester Hospital, Chester.
Others in the hospital, less seriously injured, are Mrs. Viola Rivers, of Jamaica, N. Y., wife of the captain; Lero McMahon, 27, of Fostoria, Tex., and William Major, of Chester.
Twelve dead were counted at the Chester morgue, and others were given up for lost and their names added to the gruesome list.
After a systematic search of the hold of the steamship Bidwell for four missing members of the tank cleaning gang proved futile, it is now believed the bodies of the men were hurled into the river and drowned.
Searching parties have been engaged by the Sun Oil Company to watch and grapple for the bodies. It is said by experienced rivermen that, owing to the cold weather, it may be some time before the bodies come to the surface.
As searchers finally were able to board the ship which for hours had been a raging inferno, bodies of men charred beyond recognition were found.
Still more bodies, blown into shapeless masses, were located aboard the ship of death.
More victims, injured beyond recovery, died at hospitals.
Sun Oil Company officials are at a loss to account for the cause of the blasts. In an effort to solve the mystery surrounding the origin of the first blast, which ignited the ship and led to the other explosions, a minute examination of the charred and warped debris of the steel vessel is now in progress.
As the toll kept mounting hourly, officials still were unable to determine what mischance had set off the first devastating explosion at 12:20 a.m. That first blast, which turned what had been an ordinary boat into a scene of horror, was followed by three other blasts within twenty-five minutes. The countryside within a radius of twenty miles had been shaken and rocked. Thousands of sleeping persons were awakened and terrified.
It "might have been" a spark which set off a gas pocket in the hold of the ship while the tanks were being cleaned of the residue of crude oil -- which had been brought from Texas and unloaded Tuesday -- so that gasoline could be put into them, some investigators said.
Official Death List
The list of known dead and the five given up for lost was compiled after a check; but because of the condition of some of the bodies it was impossible to establish exact identities. The list follows:
CAPTAIN JOSEPH B. RIVERS, 33, Hollis, Long Island, master of the Bidwell.
* Correction: CAPTAIN JOSEPH HEWETT RIVERS *
EDWARD RUSSELL, 35, of 463 West Twenty-first street, New York City, seaman.
EDWARD GIELOW, 32, Michigan City, Ind., seaman.
STEPHEN MARKE, 31, 322 Gaskill street, Philadelphia, seaman.
* Correction: STEPHEN MARK *
STEVE GARDNER, 42, of 245 Hayes street, Chester.
* Correction: STEPHEN GARDNER *
LEROY HAMILTON, 21, Marietta, Ga., seaman.
* Correction: LE ROY SEABURN 'LOY' HAMILTON *
MARION SARAGA, 36, of 1570 Huddell avenue, Linwood, Pa.
* Correction: MARIJAN MARIAN 'MAX' SARAGA *
ROBERT A. NELSON, 29, of 123 Harvey avenue, Linwood, Pa.
* Correction: ROBERT ALAN NELSON *
T. E. DRESHAUER, 27, of 1642 Phanes street, Baltimore, quartermaster of the Bidwell.
* Correction: PAUL DRESSHAUER *
JOHN TESTICH, 44, of 3033 East Sixth street, Chester.
CARL MILDE, Hamburg, Germany, boatswain.
W. L. OLIVER, 32, Charlotte, N. C., quartermaster assistant.
* Correction: WILLIAM LEWIS OLIVER, JR. *
EDWARD ANDERSON, 49, of 1427 East Front street, Plainfield, N. J.
GRANT PIERCE, 34, Elmira, N. Y., quartermaster assistant.
* Correction: GRANT W. PIERCE *
H. H. DERNDSTON, of 1525 Forest avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
A. A. McNAB, 55, of 210 Tenth avenue, New York City, chief mate.
HARRY T. ACKERMAN, 33, New York, second mate.
* Correction: HARRY EUGENE OCKELMAN *
The injured:
WILLIAM MAJOR, 37, of 212 West Front street, Chester, oiler.
Mrs. VIOLA RIVERS, 28, wife of the captain of the Bidwell.
OLAF RAUSSMUSSEN, 32, Bar City, Iowa.
LEE R. McMAHAN, 27, Fostoria, Tex., wireless operator.
The charred body of Captain Rivers was found in his quarters. He had gone back to salvage his logbook and personal records and paid with his life for his devotion to the duties of the sea -- to save the log if possible.
Several other members of the crew missed death or injury by having gone ashore for the night. Included among these are John Peterson, John Ball, a cook, and Terrence O'Connor, 21, of 748 East Westmoreland street, Philadelphia.
O'Connor missed death through his devotion to his widowed mother. Her husband died only recently and she was supporting a family of six with the help of Terrence. He had gone home for the evening to take $5 to her to "help out a bit." That saved his life.
Ball, a World War veteran in describing the horror, said it "scared him" and reminded him of bombardments in France.
And so the stories of survivors went. Almost to a man, those who had come through the thing alive had done their level best to save a fellow worker.
Into the record of the oil company, however, were inscribed a saga of heroism on the part of the members of the crew of the ill-fated ship, many of whom braved death to rescue comrades who had been disabled by the first blasts. Another risked his life to save the life of Mrs. Viola Rivers, wife of the captain, the only woman aboard.
The first revelation of the heroism of the crew came when the charred body of Captain Joseph Rivers, skipper of the tanker, was extricated from the blackened hull of the wrecked ship. True to the traditions of the sea, he had stood by his ship to the last, perishing in his attempts to save his men.
Further disclosures of the bravery of the crew came last night when Coroner J. E. Scheehle revealed how Edward Cartain, 29, of Buckman Village, near here, had rescued Mrs. Rivers from certain death. She had been tossed in the Delaware River and was being drawn towards the flaming ship when Cartain jumped from shore, where he had reached safety, and finally managed to bring her ashore, although he was almost exhausted.
"His was the most startling example of bravery," said Coroner Scheehle. "The man, who apparently was on the dock, rushed to the ship when the flames started to rage, jumped into the water and swam to the hole which had been torn in the side of the ship."
"Mrs. Rivers was floating nearby unconscious, and was being carried slowly towards the opening. Undoubtedly she would have been drawn into the inferno in the hold. She wore a life preserver and bobbed in a sea of burning oil."
"In another minute she would have been in the flames, but Cartain, who certainly ought to be recommended for a medal, reached her in time and then swam heroically with her to the dock."
"Then with an unheard of modesty he disappeared," Coroner Scheehle said.
Many of the bodies of the dead were charred almost beyond recognition.
The Chester Times,
Chester, Pennsylvania
Fri, 5 Feb 1932
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Disclaimer:
All pertinent information I have included here can be verified by U.S. Federal Census Records for the family in conjunction with various public records, including any documents I may upload to this memorial.
Though I can not prove with 100% certainty that this family's composition and relation status is as I display it to be, I can say that the circumstantial evidence weighs very heavily in favor of the accuracy of these stated familial connections.
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Luana Dawn Alger, 28 Jul 2019
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Harry Eugene Ockelman was born on 6 Dec 1897 and was baptized on 13 Feb 1898 at Broad Street United Methodist Church in Philadelphia, PA.
On 2 Jan 1901, three-year-old Harry was traveling on the British ocean liner, the RMS Campania. He was accompanied by someone named Henry Walker and they were departing from Queenstown (now Cobh), County Cork, Ireland. Nearly three-months later, on 31 Mar 1901, Harry, his mother and his two-year-old sister, Alice, were all documented either living in or on an extended visit to the home of his maternal grandparents, Michael and Anne Collins, in Jamestown, County Westmeath, Ireland.
On 16 Apr 1910 and again on 9 Jan 1920, the U.S. Federal Census logs Harry living with his parents and four younger siblings, Alice, John, Anna and Frederick, in a mortgaged home at 22 West Garfield Street, Norwood, Deleware Co., PA. In 1910, his mother states that she has five children still alive out of the eight that were born to her. His father, shown as a Sea Captain in 1910 and the Captain of an oil ship in 1920, was born in Denmark and his mother was born in Ireland. His father reported that he was already a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1910 and his mother reports the same in 1920, which was also when Harry was documented as being employed as a quartermaster in the merchant marines. This is odd considering
Harry enlisted in the Merchant Marines on 9 Jun 1917. In Aug 1917 he was mustered in as being attached to the 77th Company, 1st Machine Gun Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA. According to his WWI Veterans Service and Compensation File, he was discharged by the USNavy on 23 Aug 1919.
On 17 Sep 1921, Harry married Veronica Constance Frances Trimble in Brooklyn, Kings County, NY.
On 8 Apr 1930, Harry, his wife, Veronica, and their 7-year-old daughter, Constance, are living at a rented apartment at 395 Maple Street, Apt. A-1, Brooklyn, NY. His occupation is reported to be an apartment complex superintendant.
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DEATH TOLL OF TANKSHIP BLAST RISES TO EIGHTEEN; FOUR VICTIMS IN HOSPITAL
Coroner J. E. Scheehle and Sun Oil Company Officials Conducting Investigation to Determine Cause for the Explosions That Wrecked Steemer Bidwell at Marcus Hook Early Yesterday Morning
Acts of Heroism on Part of Rescuers Revealed --- Workman Who Risked Life to Save Wife of Captain Rivers Commended --- Charred Body of Skipper Found in Quarters on Ill-Fated Vessel
While investigators scanned the hulk of the oil tanker Bidwell, which blew up at Marcus Hook early yesterday, the death toll today was placed at eighteen with one missing and a woman and three men battling for their lives in Chester Hospital. The boat was shattered by four terrific blasts while lying in dock at Marcus Hook.
Questioning of injured survivors failed today to explain the tragedy.
Most of the crew were asleep or on shore leave when the blasts tore open one side of the ship.
The death list may mount today. Olaf Rasmussen, 32, of Forest City, Ia., is believed dying of his burns and injuries at the Chester Hospital, Chester.
Others in the hospital, less seriously injured, are Mrs. Viola Rivers, of Jamaica, N. Y., wife of the captain; Lero McMahon, 27, of Fostoria, Tex., and William Major, of Chester.
Twelve dead were counted at the Chester morgue, and others were given up for lost and their names added to the gruesome list.
After a systematic search of the hold of the steamship Bidwell for four missing members of the tank cleaning gang proved futile, it is now believed the bodies of the men were hurled into the river and drowned.
Searching parties have been engaged by the Sun Oil Company to watch and grapple for the bodies. It is said by experienced rivermen that, owing to the cold weather, it may be some time before the bodies come to the surface.
As searchers finally were able to board the ship which for hours had been a raging inferno, bodies of men charred beyond recognition were found.
Still more bodies, blown into shapeless masses, were located aboard the ship of death.
More victims, injured beyond recovery, died at hospitals.
Sun Oil Company officials are at a loss to account for the cause of the blasts. In an effort to solve the mystery surrounding the origin of the first blast, which ignited the ship and led to the other explosions, a minute examination of the charred and warped debris of the steel vessel is now in progress.
As the toll kept mounting hourly, officials still were unable to determine what mischance had set off the first devastating explosion at 12:20 a.m. That first blast, which turned what had been an ordinary boat into a scene of horror, was followed by three other blasts within twenty-five minutes. The countryside within a radius of twenty miles had been shaken and rocked. Thousands of sleeping persons were awakened and terrified.
It "might have been" a spark which set off a gas pocket in the hold of the ship while the tanks were being cleaned of the residue of crude oil -- which had been brought from Texas and unloaded Tuesday -- so that gasoline could be put into them, some investigators said.
Official Death List
The list of known dead and the five given up for lost was compiled after a check; but because of the condition of some of the bodies it was impossible to establish exact identities. The list follows:
CAPTAIN JOSEPH B. RIVERS, 33, Hollis, Long Island, master of the Bidwell.
* Correction: CAPTAIN JOSEPH HEWETT RIVERS *
EDWARD RUSSELL, 35, of 463 West Twenty-first street, New York City, seaman.
EDWARD GIELOW, 32, Michigan City, Ind., seaman.
STEPHEN MARKE, 31, 322 Gaskill street, Philadelphia, seaman.
* Correction: STEPHEN MARK *
STEVE GARDNER, 42, of 245 Hayes street, Chester.
* Correction: STEPHEN GARDNER *
LEROY HAMILTON, 21, Marietta, Ga., seaman.
* Correction: LE ROY SEABURN 'LOY' HAMILTON *
MARION SARAGA, 36, of 1570 Huddell avenue, Linwood, Pa.
* Correction: MARIJAN MARIAN 'MAX' SARAGA *
ROBERT A. NELSON, 29, of 123 Harvey avenue, Linwood, Pa.
* Correction: ROBERT ALAN NELSON *
T. E. DRESHAUER, 27, of 1642 Phanes street, Baltimore, quartermaster of the Bidwell.
* Correction: PAUL DRESSHAUER *
JOHN TESTICH, 44, of 3033 East Sixth street, Chester.
CARL MILDE, Hamburg, Germany, boatswain.
W. L. OLIVER, 32, Charlotte, N. C., quartermaster assistant.
* Correction: WILLIAM LEWIS OLIVER, JR. *
EDWARD ANDERSON, 49, of 1427 East Front street, Plainfield, N. J.
GRANT PIERCE, 34, Elmira, N. Y., quartermaster assistant.
* Correction: GRANT W. PIERCE *
H. H. DERNDSTON, of 1525 Forest avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
A. A. McNAB, 55, of 210 Tenth avenue, New York City, chief mate.
HARRY T. ACKERMAN, 33, New York, second mate.
* Correction: HARRY EUGENE OCKELMAN *
The injured:
WILLIAM MAJOR, 37, of 212 West Front street, Chester, oiler.
Mrs. VIOLA RIVERS, 28, wife of the captain of the Bidwell.
OLAF RAUSSMUSSEN, 32, Bar City, Iowa.
LEE R. McMAHAN, 27, Fostoria, Tex., wireless operator.
The charred body of Captain Rivers was found in his quarters. He had gone back to salvage his logbook and personal records and paid with his life for his devotion to the duties of the sea -- to save the log if possible.
Several other members of the crew missed death or injury by having gone ashore for the night. Included among these are John Peterson, John Ball, a cook, and Terrence O'Connor, 21, of 748 East Westmoreland street, Philadelphia.
O'Connor missed death through his devotion to his widowed mother. Her husband died only recently and she was supporting a family of six with the help of Terrence. He had gone home for the evening to take $5 to her to "help out a bit." That saved his life.
Ball, a World War veteran in describing the horror, said it "scared him" and reminded him of bombardments in France.
And so the stories of survivors went. Almost to a man, those who had come through the thing alive had done their level best to save a fellow worker.
Into the record of the oil company, however, were inscribed a saga of heroism on the part of the members of the crew of the ill-fated ship, many of whom braved death to rescue comrades who had been disabled by the first blasts. Another risked his life to save the life of Mrs. Viola Rivers, wife of the captain, the only woman aboard.
The first revelation of the heroism of the crew came when the charred body of Captain Joseph Rivers, skipper of the tanker, was extricated from the blackened hull of the wrecked ship. True to the traditions of the sea, he had stood by his ship to the last, perishing in his attempts to save his men.
Further disclosures of the bravery of the crew came last night when Coroner J. E. Scheehle revealed how Edward Cartain, 29, of Buckman Village, near here, had rescued Mrs. Rivers from certain death. She had been tossed in the Delaware River and was being drawn towards the flaming ship when Cartain jumped from shore, where he had reached safety, and finally managed to bring her ashore, although he was almost exhausted.
"His was the most startling example of bravery," said Coroner Scheehle. "The man, who apparently was on the dock, rushed to the ship when the flames started to rage, jumped into the water and swam to the hole which had been torn in the side of the ship."
"Mrs. Rivers was floating nearby unconscious, and was being carried slowly towards the opening. Undoubtedly she would have been drawn into the inferno in the hold. She wore a life preserver and bobbed in a sea of burning oil."
"In another minute she would have been in the flames, but Cartain, who certainly ought to be recommended for a medal, reached her in time and then swam heroically with her to the dock."
"Then with an unheard of modesty he disappeared," Coroner Scheehle said.
Many of the bodies of the dead were charred almost beyond recognition.
The Chester Times,
Chester, Pennsylvania
Fri, 5 Feb 1932
*•.¸¸❤❤¸.•**•.¸¸❤❤¸.•**•.¸¸❤❤¸.•*
Disclaimer:
All pertinent information I have included here can be verified by U.S. Federal Census Records for the family in conjunction with various public records, including any documents I may upload to this memorial.
Though I can not prove with 100% certainty that this family's composition and relation status is as I display it to be, I can say that the circumstantial evidence weighs very heavily in favor of the accuracy of these stated familial connections.
*•.¸¸❤❤¸.•**•.¸¸❤❤¸.•**•.¸¸❤❤¸.•*
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