1887 Cargo Ship 'John Knox' shipwreck. I think my ancestor was drowned

[Steven P]

1st May, 1887, the cargo ship John Knox was wrecked off the Canada coast.
In my family tree searching, great grandfather, William Nolan, born Liverpool, was a Fireman (Stoker) and married in Liverpool 21 March that year.
He cannot be found thereafter in census/births/deaths etc, and his wife remarried as widowed 1906 in USA.
I read that among those of the crew presumed drowned in the John Knox wreck, was a certain William Nolan.
If he was 'my' William Nolan, Elizabeth his wife would been widowed barely two months after their wedding.
if his body was not recovered, how/where/when would his death be officially recorded?
Is there a list, or department that holds the details of exactly who died in such disasters in that way?
If I could verify or eliminate 'my' William Nolan as being the William Nolan on the John Knox, it would be of huge help.
Any help in this regard will be so very gratefully received.
It's a longshot, but I've run out of ideas/avenues.
..... Steven.

[Doc Vernon]

Hello
Yes he was killed at Sea in 1887 on that Ship.,it was wrecked and Sunk 1-5 1887
Born Armagh Death at age 47 or 49 Drowned place off St Johns Newfoundland Canada Archive Ref BT156 Box 0001 and BT159/7 National Archives

[Steven P]

Thank you, Doc Vernon.
I'll look at that archive.
Although 'my' Wm Nolan was reportedly born in Liverpool, his parents were Irish, so it might yet be him.
Many thanks!

[Doc Vernon]

It will be him for sure as that is the only Entry for that name . And he was the only one of that name on that Ship at the time so must be him
Cheers

Nolan.jpg

[Fouro]

The Wreck of the cargo ship John Knox.
Click on html to read this sad story.

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...H18870819.2.19

Regards from
Fouro

[Steven P]

It will be him for sure as that is the only Entry for that name . And he was the only one of that name on that Ship at the time so must be him
Cheers

Nolan.jpg

Thank you, Doc!

'My' William Nolan would have been only 29 years of age, so this William Nolan (49) could not have been him.
It has, at least, enabled me to eliminate him from my search.
Many thanks for your invaluable help.

[wightspirit]

The ship's Official Number was 87722. You might want to obtain a copy of the crew agreement for 1887, which should contain more detail, and should confirm or rule out you ancestor. Typos are quite common so his age could easily have been recorded inaccurately - 49 instead of 29. Another example is that his name in some newspaper reports is stated to be Noland rather than Nolan. Crew agreement here: https://www.mun.ca/mha/holdings/view...icial_No=87722

Dave W

[Keith at Tregenna]

Have you a date of birth for William Nolan and a maiden / family name for Elizabeth?

Regards,

Keith.