The tragic death of Captain Hezekiah Spurrell, brother of Mrs. George Yetman, of this city, can only happen in a war such as we have now. When a man’s inhumanity to man makes countless millions mourn. The facts are the following: on the 16th of January the ship which he commanded was torpedoed and when he saw there was no hope of saving the ship he ordered all the crew to take to the lifeboats with that devotion that belongs to every captain. He was last to leave the ship. Just as they were leaving they heard voices calling for help in the sinking ship. The captain took the rope ladder and went back to the ship. Just as he reached the deck another torpedo struck her and she sank in two minutes, taking the captain down with her. When the particulars of the accident reached his home in Brooklyn, N.Y., a memorial service was held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (of which he was a member) where a large congregation met to do honour to one who gave his life trying to save others. Captain Spurrell is a son of Benjamin and Helen Spurrell of Pool’s Island, Bonavista Bay. While many of the Spurrells held responsible positions in the past such as master of our sailing vessels at the seal fishery, masters of our fishing schooners and coastal vessels, Captain Hezekiah Spurrell is the only one among the, that I have heard of that qualified themselves with a master’s certificate of competence for the foreign service. He lived a most useful life, he died a heroic death, which we trust will act as an incentive to thousands of his fellow countrymen to try to do so likewise. We offer our sincere sympathy to his wife and family and relatives.
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