1920 — April 18, steamer William O’Brien, out of NYC Apr 15, lost in Atlantic storm —    40

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 6-2-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

—  40  Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 99.

—  40  U.S. Steamboat-Inspection Service. Annual Report 1920, p. 16.

Narrative Information

US Steamboat Inspection Service: “On April 18, 1920, the steamer Baltic received an SOS message to the effect that the hatches of steamer William O’Brien were opened by the severe storm and the vessel was sinking in latitude of 39’ 50” N., longitude 65’ 50” W.  A search was made and the remains of deck houses, cushions, and other small articles were found.  Vessel carried a crew of 40, and all were lost.  The William O’Brien sailed from New York, N.Y. for Rotterdam, Holland, April 15, 1920, with a cargo of coal.”  (U.S. Steamboat-Inspection Service. Annual Report 1920, p. 16.)

Newspaper

April 20: “Boston, April 20. – Continued search for the wooden steamer William O’Brien, which asked for assistance last Sunday saying she was taking in water rapidly, brought no word of her to-day. The Coast Guard cutters Seminole and [unclear name] and the steamers Baltic and Minnekahahda have been on the lookout for the disabled vessel. The O’Brien left New York April 15 with coal for Rotterdam. Her last cable gave her position as about 500 miles east of Philadelphia.” (New York Evening World. “Hunt in Vain for Disabled Ship William O’Brien.” 4-20-2025, p. 2.)

Sources

Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. Boston: Mariners Press Inc., 1972.

New York Evening World. “Hunt in Vain for Disabled Ship William O’Brien.” 4-20-2025, p. 2. Accessed 6-2-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-york-evening-world-apr-20-1920-p-2/

United States Steamboat-Inspection Service. Annual Report of the Supervising Inspector General, Steamboat-Inspection Service to the Secretary of Commerce for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1920.  Washington, DC:  Government Printing Office, 1920.  Digitized by Google.  Accessed at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=oafNAAAAMAAJ