Richard F Sullivan (abt. 1830 - abt. 1905)

Born about 1830 in Ferryland, Newfoundland Colony

Husband of Mary Healy — married about 1858 in Newfoundland

Died about 1905 at about age 75 in Ferryland, Newfoundland Colony

Biography

Richard F. SULLIVAN. Given Name: Richard F. Surname: SULLIVAN. ^[1][2][3]

Born Abt 1830. Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ^[4]

Died Abt 1905. Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ^[5]

TAG

Note: #NI1740.

Marriage Husband Richard F. Sullivan. PREF Y. Wife Mary Healy. PREF Y. Marriage Abt 1858. Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. ^[6]

Notes

Note NI1740150104: Richard and Roberta's report of descendants of Richard O'Sullivan notes that his son Richard and his siblings would have been the first generation of the family born and raised in Ferryland. There is a lot of conjecture on which Richard this is due to the fact that there are more than one on record at that time in Ferryland. Similarly the identity of his wife Mary Healy is a bit uncertain too. 1

310707: 1

This is most likely the Richard Sullivan referred to in the following account of the rescue of the HEATHER along with William Sweetland Morry and Henry Sweetland Morry and others: 1 story is found on the Ferryland Municipal website: http:/www.publib.nf.ca/CAP/east/Ferrylandheather.htm. 1

The Rescue of The Heather. 1

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Late in March 1865, the brigantine Heather in charge of Captain Ash was returning to St. John's from a foreign voyage when she became jammed in ice off Cape Spear. Fearing the vessel would be crushed, four ofthe crew abandoned ship against their master's wishes. 1

It turned out their foreboding was right and about 1:30 on Mar. 26, Captain Ash and the three remaining crew members noticed that the ice was carrying the vessel onto the rocks. They too abandoned ship just minutes before she hit the cliffs. The vessel did not sink however, but the ice had broken up and they were minutes before she hit the cliffs.The vessel didn't sink however, but the ice had broken up and they were unable to get back to her. 1

On individual pans of ice, Capt. Ash and his three companions driftedsouth during the night and all the next day. By nightfall Tuesday they were without food and shelter of any kind and were concerned for the worsening weather. Mate Morris and the two seamen managed to get onone large ice pan but were separated from the captain by a large lakeof water. 1

By Wednesday morning they were as far south as Ferryland and realisedthe chances of being spotted beyond this point would be very slim. Asluck would have it however, a Mrs. Carter of Ferryland happened to glance out her window as she went about her work and spotted the men drifting by on the ice floe. She immediately spread the news and Father Murphy, the parish priest, called for volunteers to go into the ice filled seas to attempt a rescue. 1

Ten brave fishermen of Ferryland manned a boat and steered it throughthe ice to the rescue. They were Francis Geary, John Costello, William Morry, Marmaduke Clowe, Henry Morry, Richard Sullivan, Thomas Moore, James Sweeney, Peter Kelly and John O'Keefe. 1

They picked up the mate and seamen from the nearest pan first, and returned to shore with them. Again they put out to sea and headed in thedirection of Captain Ash, however a storm was beginning to whip up and no sooner had they taken the captain on board when the storm broke.A strong gale drove their boat off to the sea, much to the horror of their families and friends looking on from the shore. 1

The gale raged all night and by daylight Thursday, the boat was fullyforty miles out to sea. By Thursday afternoon the wind abated and they somehow managed to make land at Witless Bay, after suffering greatly from exposure. 1

Captain Ash was in particularly bad condition, after three days and nights in the open. He was taken to St. John's by a crew from Witless Bay and lost no time in commending the ten men for their bravery. 1

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Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S17
2. ↑ Source: #S21
3. ↑ Source: #S114 Ancestry Family Tree Certainty: 3
4. ↑ Source: #S17
5. ↑ Source: #S17
6. ↑ Source: #S17

• Source: S114 Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.; Repository: #R4 Paranthetical: Y
• Repository: R4 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com
• Source: S17 Richard & Roberta Sullivan emails Publication: Name: RoRinc60@aol.com; Note: Source Quality: 3 Paranthetical: Y
• Source: S21 Ancestral File (R) Based on Aunt Jean's Records The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Publication: Name: Name: Name: Copyright (c) 1987, June 1998, data as of 5 January 1998;;; Note: Source Quality: 3 Repository: #R3 Paranthetical: Y
• Repository: R3 Family History Library 35 N West Temple StreetSalt Lake City / Utah / USA Family History Library