William Jackman (20 May 1837 – 25 February 1877) was a Newfoundland sealing captain and sailing master.

William Jackman's passport photo

Jackman was born in Renews, Newfoundland.[1] Like his younger brother Arthur, Jackman commanded sealing vessels for Bowring Brothers. Jackman is best known for the rescue at Spotted Island off the coast of Labrador on 9 October 1867. Jackman witnessed the Sea Slipper[note 1] run aground with 27 people aboard.[2] Jackman swam back and forth to the vessel eleven times, rescuing eleven people. His crew then tied a rope around his waist and Jackman swam back sixteen more times, rescuing all aboard the doomed ship. On 18 December 1868, for his heroism, he was presented the medal and diploma of the Royal Humane Society.[3][1] Captain William Jackman Hospital in Labrador City is named for him.[4]

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ Some sources call the ship Sea Clipper, others Sea Slipper; the latter is used in newspaper accounts of the time; the former by the Canadian Dictionary of National Biography.

Citations

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  1. ^ a b Andrews, C.W.; Story, G.M. "Biography – JACKMAN, WILLIAM – Volume X (1871-1880) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  2. ^ Baehre, Rainer (1999). Outrageous Seas: Shipwreck and Survival in the Waters Off Newfoundland, 1583-1893. McGill-Queen's Press. p. 45. ISBN 9780886293192.
  3. ^ "ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY BRONZE MEDALS". www.lsars.org.uk. Retrieved 1 April 2017. Case numbers 18091 & 18112
  4. ^ Bonikowsky, Laura Neilson. "The Heroism of William Jackman". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
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