by Sarah Benson-Lord
Trail Museum and Archives
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We have all heard the phrase, “Kootenay Connection.”
Many of us have even found that “Trail Connection.”
For this week’s Trail Blazers, we head back to The Trail News, May 4, 1912 edition, which nearly brings one of the most storied sea disasters to Trail’s front door.
William “Bill” Hesketh, a Trail resident and smelter shift boss, was en route to England when the Titanic disaster struck.
The ship on which he sailed, the S.S. Baltic, was part of the White Star Line fleet and received distress signals from the sinking liner.
Sadly, the S.S. Baltic was too far away to assist passengers despite an earnest attempt to race to their aid.
Nonetheless, passengers of the S.S. Baltic were kept informed of the tragedy; Mr. Hesketh wrote home to The Trail News editor, A.R. Babington:
On Board S.S. Baltic
At Sea, Eighth Day,
Thursday, April 18th, 1912
Dear Sir – I am sending you brief news, under cover, of the most awful shipping disaster in history. Exact copy of Marconi Bulletins issued on board Baltic of the Titanic calamity. Information suppressed. Truly this is the most eventful voyage of my life. Yesterday, Wednesday, April 17th, one third cabin passengers died and was buried at midnight, about 60 people, including myself, being present. I am keeping a diary of train and ship travel up to time of writing. Hope to give you more on my return. Give my regards to all the people of Trail. We hope to arrive at Queenstown (Ireland) on Friday and will mail this from that port.
Signed, William Hesketh
Not only does Mr. Hesketh refer to a substantial number of deaths on board his own ship on this trip (information this author is unable to find), but he shares his report of the Titanic sinking.
The Titanic set sail from Southampton on April 10, bound for New York.
The S.S. Baltic was traveling west having departed from New York on April 11.
Among other liners, Captain J.B. Ranson of the S.S. Baltic sent this message to the Titanic at 1:40 PM on April 14, 1912:
Captain Smith, Titanic. Have had moderate variable winds and clear fine weather since leaving. Greek steamer Athenai reports passing icebergs and large quantity of field ice today in latitude 41°51’ N, longitude 49°52’ W. Wish you and Titanic all success.
One day later, the RMS Titanic would strike ice at 41°46’ N, 50° 14’ W.
Mr. Hesketh, upon arrival in Ireland, sent the following message that he wrote on April 15, 1912 (some facts below have since been corrected; this was his knowledge at the time):
Titanic struck ice at 11:03 pm. We received message at 11:07 pm. Distance from Titanic 240 miles. We turned right around to come back to assist Titanic. Under way at 11:15 pm to rescue. On receiving message from Carpathia we turned round and proceeded on our voyage to Liverpool.
That final directive to turn around was received at 7:15 am, after the S.S. Baltic, with Trail resident Bill Hesketh aboard, traveled 134 miles west (over 8 hours) to offer aid to survivors.
There are plenty of Titanic websites with a complete history of the historic disaster.
This Trail connection, however, is a unique piece of our history.
Bill passed away at the age of 83 in November 1953.
If only we had a glimpse at his diary!
Read more Trail Blazers:
Gyro Park, the perennial summertimehaven
Ceremony honours Trail airman, 17, and 22 others killed in Second World War
Remembering a young man from Trail who went to war and never came home
Long-lost poem recounts life of an air gunner
Colourful memories in ‘Silver City Linings’