We’d like to take a look at some of the crew from the Abraham H. Howland Ship and it’s unique cenotaph. Note that even though the wording carved into the stone slab may imply these men shared the same fate, that is not the case. William B. Palmer, who was actually from Fairhaven not Westport, passed away in June 1846 though how exactly was not discovered. Samuel Stratton from Northfield Massachusetts was killed by a whale in May of 1847 in the Sea of Japan. James DeLaGardi from New York had little to no recorded information of his death other than he was lost on the passage home. Lastly the name “Manuel” was not listed as one of the crew members however many speculate he was most likely recruited from the Cape Verde Islands. Given the resources available at their time, it is understandable how specific information from the past may be unattainable and leaves us with what we have. Though we may never know the full truth of what occurred, we can still attest that these brave men died for their communities and contributed to shaping our city as we know it today.
Abraham H Howland
