In addition to lobster, coastal homes and funny accents, Maine is known for its weather. For two or three wonderful months, we have weather to rave about. But, depending on your preference, we have a fair few months where things aren’t so brag-worthy. In addition to the cold and the snow, coastal Maine has some pretty significant fog that rolls in during the morning and night. Today, we’re pretty well-equipped to ensure that boats navigate safely. But, this wasn’t always the case. With a long maritime history, tales of shipwrecks are expected. But some, like the wreck of the Bohemia, are more awful than others.
On the night of February 22, 1864, Capt. Robert Borland was in charge of The Royal Mail Ship Bohemian as it headed for Portland Harbor.
Dianne Lacourciere / Flickr
The ship held 19 passengers, as well as 200 Irish immigrants who were jammed into the cargo area below deck.
G Crouch / Flickr These immigrants were hoping for a new life in America, but that dream was to be dashed quickly.
Through the dense fog of the evening, a lookout noticed the lighthouses located on Cape Elizabeth.
Mike Cempa / Flickr That’s when the captain, who had 22 years of skipper experience, realized that the Bohemian was off course by more than 6 miles.
Not more than one hour later, the ship hit Alden’s Rock.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr The hole tore the engine area and resulted in Captain Borland ordering the crew to head for land as quickly as possible.
The boat stopped about a quarter mile from shore and passengers tried desperately to make it to shore.
DirectDish / Flickr Many of the boats left without being full and another broke completely sending Irish immigrants into the ocean waves.
In the end, 42 people were killed. 2 were crew members and the rest were Irish immigrants from below the deck.
Marlon Balan / Flickr The bodies of these passengers came ashore for days after the shipwreck.
12 or so people were buried in a mass grave at Calvary Cemetery, which only got a stone in 1985.
Corety Templeton / Flickr Another 18 may be buried in Forest City Cemetery, but sadly, the location of that mass grave, as well as their names, are unknown.
Now that you’ve learned about an unfortunate shipwreck, how about some lighthouse information? Check out our lighthouse road trip to check out the best that Maine has to offer!
Dianne Lacourciere / Flickr
G Crouch / Flickr
These immigrants were hoping for a new life in America, but that dream was to be dashed quickly.
Mike Cempa / Flickr
That’s when the captain, who had 22 years of skipper experience, realized that the Bohemian was off course by more than 6 miles.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
The hole tore the engine area and resulted in Captain Borland ordering the crew to head for land as quickly as possible.
DirectDish / Flickr
Many of the boats left without being full and another broke completely sending Irish immigrants into the ocean waves.
Marlon Balan / Flickr
The bodies of these passengers came ashore for days after the shipwreck.
Corety Templeton / Flickr
Another 18 may be buried in Forest City Cemetery, but sadly, the location of that mass grave, as well as their names, are unknown.
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