Ship's bell ‘will ring again' 100 years after Alaska shipwreck, officials say
A crew of researchers has recovered the bronze bell from a ship that sank near a remote Alaska island more than 100 years ago, officials said.
The bell from the Star of Bengal, a 264-foot ship that sank in the early 1900s, is bound for the Wrangell Museum in Alaska, according to a news release included in William Urschel's May 26 Alaska Endeavour Captain's Log newsletter.
Urschel is captain of the Endeavour, a research vessel used in the trip that led to the bell's recovery.
During the trip, the researchers mapped the shipwreck near Coronation Island in Southeast Alaska, finding and documenting 'the hull frames and plates, four anchors, the windlass, other ship's machinery' and the bell, officials said.
The bell will make a stop at Texas A&M University for conservation work before it goes to the museum in Wrangell, according to officials.
The Star of Bengal was constructed in 1874 in the same Irish shipyard where the Titanic was built, officials said.
The Alaska Packers Association bought the ship in 1906 to transport cannery workers, products and supplies between Wrangell and San Francisco, California, according to officials. It sank in 1908 after leaving Wrangell, officials said.
More than 100 people died, largely cannery workers, many of whom were immigrants from China, according to officials.
The ship was being pulled through a strait by two tugboats, but 'a combination of high winds, no communication, and mechanical failures forced the tugboats to sever the tow lines,' officials said. The ship dropped its anchor, and 'the anchor dragged and the ship was broken on the rocks' of the island, officials said.
The shipwreck is the second-deadliest maritime disaster in Alaska, according to officials.
Urschel wrote in his newsletter about the bell's meaning.
'There is something special about a ship's bell. It gives life to a ship. One of our party said, 'Science is important, but 100 years from now folks will connect to the Star and the cannery workers who died on it through this bell,'' he wrote.
He added that, 'The men going down that night heard that bell. That bell will ring again.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
8 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Ship's bell ‘will ring again' 100 years after Alaska shipwreck, officials say
A crew of researchers has recovered the bronze bell from a ship that sank near a remote Alaska island more than 100 years ago, officials said. The bell from the Star of Bengal, a 264-foot ship that sank in the early 1900s, is bound for the Wrangell Museum in Alaska, according to a news release included in William Urschel's May 26 Alaska Endeavour Captain's Log newsletter. Urschel is captain of the Endeavour, a research vessel used in the trip that led to the bell's recovery. During the trip, the researchers mapped the shipwreck near Coronation Island in Southeast Alaska, finding and documenting 'the hull frames and plates, four anchors, the windlass, other ship's machinery' and the bell, officials said. The bell will make a stop at Texas A&M University for conservation work before it goes to the museum in Wrangell, according to officials. The Star of Bengal was constructed in 1874 in the same Irish shipyard where the Titanic was built, officials said. The Alaska Packers Association bought the ship in 1906 to transport cannery workers, products and supplies between Wrangell and San Francisco, California, according to officials. It sank in 1908 after leaving Wrangell, officials said. More than 100 people died, largely cannery workers, many of whom were immigrants from China, according to officials. The ship was being pulled through a strait by two tugboats, but 'a combination of high winds, no communication, and mechanical failures forced the tugboats to sever the tow lines,' officials said. The ship dropped its anchor, and 'the anchor dragged and the ship was broken on the rocks' of the island, officials said. The shipwreck is the second-deadliest maritime disaster in Alaska, according to officials. Urschel wrote in his newsletter about the bell's meaning. 'There is something special about a ship's bell. It gives life to a ship. One of our party said, 'Science is important, but 100 years from now folks will connect to the Star and the cannery workers who died on it through this bell,'' he wrote. He added that, 'The men going down that night heard that bell. That bell will ring again.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
A tribute to Charles A. Wright, a trailblazer in Black STEM education
The Florida A&M University family lost yet another titan May 26 when Charles A. Wright, Ph.D., an engineering professor and department chair, died at the age of 82. For those unaware, Wright grew up on a farm in rural Glenwood, Georgia, during a critical time in American history when Jim Crow segregation laws were the norm across the South, a reality that created separate and unequal educational experiences for Black children who maintained an interest in higher education. The racial strictures of that era did not deter Wright from excelling academically in high school and later at Savannah State University, a storied HBCU where he graduated with a degree in civil engineering technology in 1967. As Wright would often remind his students and mentees, Black college students during his youth were often discouraged from pursuing studies in higher level mathematics and science, but his natural curiosity to understand nature and how things worked inspired him to earn a master's degree in civil and public works engineering from the then recently integrated University of Florida in 1972, and a doctoral degree in civil engineering transportation from Vanderbilt University in 1991. Wright keenly understood the need to pass his vast reservoir of knowledge about science and mathematics to succeeding generations, a passion that propelled many of his pupils to pursue advance degrees in science, technology, and mathematics long before the STEM acronym became a buzzword in academia in the 1980's. In furtherance of his passion, in 1979, Wright was named the senior lecturer at Egerton Agricultural College in Njoro, Kenya, and he spent the next several years teaching future civil engineers on its campus. Upon returning to the United States in 1982, Wright was hired by then Florida A&M University President Walter Smith to teach civil engineering, a position that saw him eventually rise to the rank of professor emeritus upon his retirement from teaching in civil engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. While providing his students rigorous instruction, Wright found time to author or co-author over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and books about civil engineering, technology, and safety assessments. In 2011, cognizant that per the National Science Foundation, Black people represented only 7% of the STEM workforce nationwide, Wright was hired to serve as the inaugural executive director for the James E. Clyburn University Transportation Center (JECUTC) at South Carolina State University, another storied public HBCU located in Orangeburg. Under his leadership, the transportation center became a key hub for studying and advancing transportation needs ranging from regional transit to transcontinental travel. While Wright's professional accomplishments will be remembered for ages to come, he leaves to mourn his passing his wife of 58 years, Barbara Wright, three children, five grandchildren, numerous godchildren, and thousands of former students across the globe who owe a debt of gratitude for his wise tutelage. In fact, his professional zeal was only matched by his civic engagements through his beloved Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the Tallahassee Chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc., and historic Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as a Sunday School teacher and deacon until his untimely illness and passing from Earthly labor to Heavenly reward. And as one of his many godsons, I can personally attest that his loss is one that cannot be easily assuaged, but we all can rest assured that the City of Tallahassee - and the world - are all for the better because he lived and pursued the FAMU motto, "Excellence with Caring," in words and deeds. Chuck Hobbs is a past winner of the Florida Bar Media Award, a two-time Pulitzer Prize nominee, and historian residing in Tallahassee. Reach him via chuckhobbs@ (Viewing for Charles A. Wright will be noon to 5 p.m. June 6 at Strong & Jones Chapel followed by a wake service at 5 p.m. His funeral service is 11 a.m. June 7th at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.) JOIN THE CONVERSATION Send letters to the editor (up to 200 words) or Your Turn columns (about 500 words) to letters@ Please include your address for verification purposes only, and if you send a Your Turn, also include a photo and 1-2 line bio of yourself. You can also submit anonymous Zing!s at Submissions are published on a space-available basis. All submissions may be edited for content, clarity and length, and may also be published by any part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Charles Wright was an early advocate of Black STEM education | Opinion
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Former astronaut, federal minister Marc Garneau dies at 76
OTTAWA - Marc Garneau, the first Canadian in space who went on to become a high-profile federal politician, has died at 76 years old. MPs rose for a moment of silence in the House of Commons Wednesday evening to honour Garneau. He was an author and a pioneer in Canada's space program, serving as president of the Canadian Space Agency. Prime Minister Mark Carney called Garneau a naval officer, astronaut and public servant of 'exceptional distinction.' 'After a decorated career in the Royal Canadian Navy and at the helm of the Canadian Space Agency, Marc brought that same dedication and duty to public life,' Carney said in a statement. Garneau was one of the original six Canadian astronauts selected in December 1983. In 1984, Garneau made history when he became the first Canadian in space, launching aboard the space shuttle Challenger as a payload specialist. The space agency's website says Garneau conducted 10 Canadian experiments on space technology, space science and life sciences during the eight-day mission. He was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada that year, later being promoted to companion. Garneau made two other trips to space, on the space shuttle Endeavour in 1996 and 2000. Lisa Campbell, the current president of the Canadian Space Agency, said Garneau was 'thoughtful, principled and deeply committed to serving others.' 'His legacy will continue to inspire us as we advance the role of space in improving life on Earth,' Campbell said in a statement. Garneau later entered politics and was a Liberal member of Parliament representing a Montreal-area riding between 2008 and 2023. He held many cabinet positions in Justin Trudeau's government, including minister of foreign affairs and minister of transport. A statement from Garneau's wife, Pam Garneau, says he was sick near the end of his life but died peacefully. 'Marc faced his final days with the same strength, clarity and grace that defined his life,' she said. 'We are especially grateful to the medical team who provided such dedicated and compassionate care during his short illness.' Garneau was born in Quebec City and earned a bachelor of science degree in engineering physics at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont. Several politicians and notable Canadians paid tribute to Garneau on social media. Trudeau said it was with 'much sadness' that he had learned about Garneau's passing. 'I first met Marc as a schoolboy in the early 1980s,' the former prime minister said. 'I was in awe of his service and his courage then, and continued to be as I had the privilege to serve alongside him in Parliament and in government. Marc truly embodied and exemplified Canadian greatness throughout his whole life.' Astronaut Chris Hadfield said Garneau was his role model, mentor, longtime friend and 'a brave and exemplary Canadian for us all.' Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said Garneau 'exceeded every expectation.' 'Canada has lost an exceptional person — not just an astronaut, but a true model of service and selflessness,' Champagne said. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Garneau was 'not only a remarkable Canadian and devoted public servant, but also a dear friend.' Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said she was 'heartbroken' to learn about Garneau's death. 'Marc was a man of deep integrity, humility and quiet strength,' she said. 'A trailblazer, a mentor and a true statesman, he dedicated his life to serving Canada — with dignity, brilliance and grace.' Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Garneau was a 'great Canadian' and was 'a trailblazer and proud to serve the country he loved.' Garneau said in a recent interview with The Canadian Press that his three flights changed the way he saw Earth. 'When you see that thin atmosphere and realize we're filling it with greenhouse gases and pollutants ...when you see these things, you realize, 'What are we doing?'' he said in 2024. 'If we don't take care of this planet, there is nowhere else to go.' Garneau said that, after flying in space, life was 'not as intimidating.' 'It gave me a sense of confidence and it gave me confidence to move forward in life instead of playing it safe,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
