Dear All I am looking for information on the American mariner, W.A.H. Allen, First Officer on the SS Brother Jonathan when it was shipwrecked on 30th July 1865. The shipwreck itself is of course well documented. The only information I have on the man comes from the newspaper obituary, reproduced below, which may, or may not, be accurate. I believe he was known as Henry Allen, but the order of his initials appears to have been variable. He was variously born in 1815 or 1820, in Maryland or Massachusetts. The obit lists several ships, which it would be fantastic to follow up, but I can find no information on any of them except the one which "burned at Crescent City", which I believe to have been the SS America. Any info on Allen, particularly a definitive name and also date / place of birth (without which it would appear to be almost impossible to proceed), or pointers on how to research US sailors and ships in this time period would be gratefully received. I am also particularly interested in what happened to his (English) wife and children after he died. With thanks & regards Lynden Hughes West Sussex, UK Daily Alta California, San Francisco, August 28 1865 "Henry A Allen, First Officer: Was a native of the city or Baltimore, State of Maryland, and was born in the year 1820. He left home in his eleventh year and had followed the sea since that age. Being a man of superior talent he must necessarily have been an able seaman in every sense of the term. He was ten years in the Liverpool Packet Line, and had been a very successful navigator: had sailed around the globe twice, and was Captain of the ship Nero when she was burned in the China seas: he, however, managed to save all his passengers and crew after being five days without. food or drink. He went to sea first as cabin boy on the ship Racer, but attained the honorable position of first officer at the age of eighteen, and never afterward; acted in a lower capacity. Mr. Allen came to this coast in the year 1854. and early in the year 1855 he was employed by Capt. Wright as first officer of the steamer ----- , which was burned at Crescent City a short time after. He was Captain of the Hartford for several y! ears, and was the gentleman who took the little steamer Ranger to Fraser River at the time of the great excitement in that region. This was a daring feat, as this vessel was of only eighteen tons burthen, and they were nearly four weeks making the voyage, being compelled to make port very often for the purpose of cutting their own wood. Mr. Allen was married in the year I854 to Miss Frances Lucas, second daughter of the late Thomas Edward Lucas, of Lewaigne, Isle of Man. He was a man of generous impulses, kind, courteous and forbearing. He leaves a wife and four children, besides numerous friends to mourn the sad fate of a brave man."