Bates has 'George L Lloyd' (1). A letter from Sinex refers to John L Lloyd (2). I am assuming that these are the same person, but that assumption is very uncertain.
He was born in 1839/40 (6 (22 in 1862), 7 [23 in 1863]). He was born in New Castle, Delaware (6, 7).
In 1850, he was (probably) living in the First Division, New Castle County, Delaware (11). He was living with Joseph and Beulah Lloyd (presumably his parents), and with Margaret, Wellington, William, Mary, and John Lloyd (presumably his siblings) (11). He had attended school within the year (11).
When he enlisted, he was a seaman (6 [seaman], 7 [sailor]).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 7 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, light blue eyes, and dark b[rown?] hair (6, 7 [fair complexion, blue eyes, dark hair]).
He was enlisted and mustered into service on 18 September 1862 (1, 6, 7, 10). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant Pierce (6, 7). He was a private in company G (1, 24).
He received a bounty and premium of $29.00 (6).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (8).
On 30 December 1863, Sinex reported that he was one of 30 men who had more than fifteen months to serve who were willing to reenlist (2). On 2 January 1864, he was transferred to the 155th Pennsylvania Infantry, while those eligible were on veterans' leave (3).
He was transferred to the United States Navy on 2 May 1864, at Brandy Station (1, 5, 6, 7, 24). When he was transferred, he was a private, in company G (24). He served as an ordinary seaman on the NC [North Carolina?] and the Bienville (9). According to a death notice, he was discharged from the Benville as shipmaster, on 17 April 1865 (10). (The Bienville was a 1558-ton wooden side-wheel steamship, which helped blockade Confederate ports, initially along the Atlantic Coast, and then (starting in 1863) in the Gulf of Mexico (23).)
He was a sailor after the war (10).
On 23 January 1885, he joined Memorial Post, Grand Army of the Republic, Cleveland, Ohio (10).
He died on Lake Superior, near Chequamegon Bay, Wisconsin, on 18 November 1886 (9, 10). He was then captain of the three-masted schooner Lucerne (10, 13). The Lucerne left Ashland, Wisconsin, on Wednesday, 17 November 1886, with 1,300 tons of ore, going to Cleveland (12, 13, 14, 21 [1256 tons]). (This was 130 tons less than her usual cargo (14).) He left hurriedly, trying to take advantage of good weather (13). They were caught in a storm (12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22). Apparently, they tried to get to harbor, but--perhaps because they couldn't see the lighthouse at Chequamegon Point--dropped anchor only five or ten minutes from the harbor (15, 21). The ship sank, and all nine of the crew died (12, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22). Archaeological investigation revealed an iron bar wedged in the windlass, suggesting problems with the windlass may have been been part of the cause of her sinking (22). Three bodies were found lashed to the rigging, each coated in six to ten inches of ice (13, 15). (See references 21 and 22 for more details, including a plan of the remains.)
The owners of the Lucerne attempted to raise her the next summer, but were unable to (16, 17). Her remains are still present in Lake Superior, and are marked by a mooring buoy for divers (21). Excavations have recovered, among other items, a Grand Army of the Republic medal (21).
On 19 December 1890, a minor dependent applied successfully from Ohio for a pension (9, 25).
On 30 September 1916, his widow, Nancy A Hillman, applied successfully from Ohio for a pension (9, 25).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 30 December 1863 (John Lloyd)
3 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 2 January 1864 (Lloyd)
4 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 2 May 1864 (Pri Lloyd)
5 company G, register of men transferred (George L Lloyd)
6 company G, descriptive roll, #98 (George L Lloyd)
7 company G, second descriptive roll, entry [19] (George L Lloyd)
8 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (George L Lloyd)
9 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company G (George L Lloyd)
10 death notice, Cleveland Plain Dealer 10 January 1887 page 8 (George L Loyde)
11 1850 US census, Delaware, New Castle County, First Division, microfilm series M432, film 53, page 289 verso = 578 handwritten, lines 1-8 (George L Lloyd)
12 'Sixty men drowned' Milwaukee Daily Journal, Saturday, 20 November 1886, page 1, column 1
13 'The wreck of the Lucerne', Milwaukee Daily Journal, 20 November 1886, page 1, column 3
14 'The Lake disasters', Bismarck [ND] Daily Tribune, Sunday 21 November 1886, column 3 (also printed as 'The ill-fated Lucerne', in The Daily inter ocean (Chicago IL), Sunday 21 November 1886, page 6, column 1, with small editorial changes)
15 'Wreck of the Lucerne', Milwaukee [WI] Daily Journal, Tuesday 23 November 1886, column 6
16 'Lucerne abandoned' The Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago IL), Saturday 25 June 1887, p.7, column 3
17 'The Lucerne', The Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago IL), Saturday 2 July 1887, page 3, column 5
18 'Two tow-barges', Chicago Daily Tribune 20 November 1886, page 4
19 'The Lucerne goes down', Chicago Daily Tribune 20 November 1886, continued from page 1
20 'Victims of the storm', New York Times, 20 November 1886, page 1
21 Andrew J Jalbert, 'Schooner Lucerne: lessons from a Great Lakes shipwreck', from Sea History (accessed 14 March 2010)
22 Jefferson J Gray' 'Submerged in history: Wisconsin's underwater archaeology', Wisconsin academy review 45 (Spring 1999) 4 (accessed 14 March 2010)
23 USS Bienville (accessed 14 March 2010)
24 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (George S Lloyd)
25 pension index, by name (George L Lloyd)
| line | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Dwellings visited | 243 | |||||||
| Families visited | 253 | |||||||
| Name | Joseph Lloyd | Beulah Lloyd | Margaret Lloyd | Wellington G Lloyd | George L Lloyd | William H Lloyd | Mary B Lloyd | John B Lloyd |
| Age | 41 | 35 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 3 |
| Sex | M | F | F | M | M | M | F | M |
| Color | ||||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Farmer | |||||||
| Real estate owned | $3000 | |||||||
| Birthplace | Penna | " | Del | " | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | ||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
"George L. Loyde was born in New Castle, Del., in 1841, enlisted as a private in company G, 91st Pennsylvania volunteers in September, 1862, was transferred to the United States vessel Benville and discharged therefrom as shipmaster on April 17, 1865, by reason of the close of the war. He joined Memorial post by muster, on the 23d of January, 1885. Since the close of the war he has followed the calling of a sailor, and at the time of his death was captain on the steamer Lucerne, his death being reported November 24."
Reports of disasters resulting from the recent storm continue to be received hourly. Up to noon today the number of lives lost on the lakes is estimated at sixty, and the number of vessels wrecked or foundered is forty-five, which, with their cargoes, were valued at fully $600,000. Vesselmen assert that half the disasters are not yet reported and that it will be weeks before the fate of some of the missing vessels is known, if ever.
The most disastrous wrecks were in the vicinity of Frankfort, where two schooners and two steambarges are reported lost with all hands, but one man escaping to the shore. The steambarge Manistique, towing the schooners Marinette and Menekaune, encountered trouble near Frankfort. The tow broke up, the schooners became waterlogged, were dismasted and driven ashore. The steamer became disabled and drifted helplessly up the lake until she reached Burnham's pier, twenty miles north of Manistee, when she struck the beach and sunk. Only her smokestack is visible above water. Capt. Walter Ashley and the crew, numbering sixteen in all, were drowned. None of their bodies have yet been recovered. Tugs have gone to the wreck. The Marinette carried a crew of seven men, a stewardess and her 15 year-old daughter. All were lost except Sailor C. W. Annis. The Menekaune carried a crew of nine men, all of whom were drowned or frozen to death. An unknown steambarge foundered and struck on the outer bar, 600 feet from the schooners, and is lost with all hands. The schooners were owned by the Oscoda Salt and Lumber company, and were valued at $16,000 each. The vessels were laden with 1,250,000 feet of lumber.
The schooner Lucerne, which left Ashland, Wednesday, with ore for Cleveland, is sunk a few miles from Bayfield, and her crew of nine men were drowned. Three bodies were found lashed to the main mast, which protrudes a few feet above the water. The Lucerne was owned in Cleveland and was valued at $25,000.
The schooner William Jones, of Chicago, was driven high and dry upon the beach at Big Point Au Sable, and the crew walked ashore. The Jones was the oldest schooner on the lakes and was built in 1853. The wreck of an unknown schooner has been discovered off Muskegon in thirty feet of water. The crew is missing. The schooner Unadilla is ashore three miles above Mackinaw City. The schooner Morning Star is beached at Elk Rapids. The crew is safe. The steambarge Coral, and the schooners Mary and Dauntless are ashore ten miles west of Blenheim. An unknown vessel is sunk near Duluth; the crew is missing. The propeller Siberia is five days overdue at Duluth.
ASHLAND, Wis., Nov. 20.--The bodies of the men found in the rigging of the three-masted schooner Lucerne, wrecked about a mile about Lighthouse point during the storm were buried here this morning. No identification has been made of any, there not being a scrap of paper on the bodies. The schooner lies in 30 feet of water, the masts sticking up, and the bow painting outwards, showing that anchors must have been dropped. The Lucern [sic] had a crew of nine all told. Six were swept off by the tremendous sea raging, and three lashed themselves to the rigging. One body was so high that the clothing was scarcely wet. The vessel was loaded with ore, 1,250 tons, and had left here Monday. The captain was so anxious to take advantage of the fine weather and left without clearance papers, leaving them to be brought by the steam Barge Niagara. The owner of the vessel is here today making efforts to recover the other bodies. The cargo is insured in Cleveland.
ASHLAND, WIS., Nov. 20.--The bodies of the three men found lashed in the rigging of the ill-fated schooner Lucerne not being recognized, and the coroner not ordering an inquest to be held, they were buried to-day. The Lucerne left here with 1,300 tons of ore consigned to Tuttle, Ogleban & Co., Cleveland, 130 tons less than her usual cargo. Her canvas was all new, and she is said by vesselmen here to have been one of the staunchest vessels sailing the lakes. She had on board a crew of nine men, none of whom have yet been found except the three tied in the rigging. It is thought she attempted to return through the south channel, and the captain seeing he could not enter, dropped the anchors, as her bow is pointing toward the lake. She is lying in three fathoms of water, one mile from the light house on Chequamegon Point, and near shore. Tugs are now searching the beach in every direction in hopes of finding more bodies. Nothing was on the bodies to identify them in the least.
...ASHLAND, Nov. 22.--As more is learned of the details of the wreck of the schooner Lucerne it is seen what a terrible struggle she must have had with the elements and how hard her crew tried to make a harbor. Five or ten minutes more would have placed them in smooth water. It is surmised that the captain, not being able to tell where he was, it being impossible to see a boat's length on account of the snow, which was as thick as fog, and fearing to go ashore, tried to save the vessel by dropping her anchor. This of course brought her hard to the seas, which at once made a clean break over her, sweeping the decks clear of everything not battened down. Being heavily laden, she could not rise to it, and each successive sea but served to send her deeper. She finally swamped, what was left of the crew taking to the rigging. As she went down the compressed air between decks blew them and the stern out, the latter floating to the beach. She is a complete wreck. Two of the bodies found were lashed to the shrouds of the mizzenmast but the third was hanging by its arms which were caught in the ratlines and held firmly. As each puff of wind struck it the body would swing to and fro in a way that made one's flesh creep with horror. The shoes and stockings of one poor fellow were gone, whether washed off by the action of the waves or taken off before ascending the shrouds cannot be told. On cutting the bodies down from six to ten inches of ice were found on them, so that they had to be literally cut out of their crystal covering to prepare them for burial in a less brittle receptacle.
The vessel lies in about four fathoms of water, with masts and jibboom protruding. The main boom was snapped short off, and the topmast broken from its fastenings as though it were a reed. This village was greatly excited, hundreds viewing the bodies recovered, but no one recognizing them. All hopes of recovering the bodies of the remaining six are about abandoned.
ASHLAND, Wis., June 24.--Special Telegram.--The attempt to raise the schooner Lucerne, which was sunk off Bayfield last fall loaded with oar has been abandoned.
Captain James Brown, en route from Chequamegon Point to Cleveland, passed through Chicago yesterday. Captain Brown was sent out by the owner of the wrecked schooner Lucerne at the head of an expedition to raise her. He reports her as being in eighteen feet of water and broken in two amidships. Her stern and deck as far as the mainmast are completely demolished. The Captain is of the opinion that the schooner can not be raised. The expedition abandoned the work after saving two anchors of 2,980 and 3,634 pounds, respectively, and two chains of eighty and seventy-five fathoms. It will be remembered that the Lucerne was lost early last fall. All hand on board were lost, and three seamen were found frozen clinging to the rigging.
TWO TOW-BARGES, the Menekaunee and Marinette, lumber-laden from Oscoda to Chicago, were wrecked four miles south of Frankfort, Mich., and fourteen lives lost. The Lucerne, a three-masted schooler, ore-laden from Ashland to Cleveland, foundered and sunk near Washburn, Wis., in sixteen feet of water. Three sailors were found frozen in the rigging, and it is supposed that the men comprising the rest of the crew were drowned. Numerous other wrecks are reported from the terrible storm which has just swept over the great lakes, and the loss to vessel-owners is many thousand dollars.
WASHBURN, Wis., Nov. 19.--[Special.]--The stmr City of Fremont reached here this morning and reported having sighted the topmasts of a sunken schooner about one mile off Chequamegon Point Lighthouse and about ten miles from here. THE TRIBUNE correspondent at once chartered a tug and steamed out to the wreck. Her yawl was adrift nearby. It was recovered, and painted on the stern was the name "Lucerne of Cleveland." Two sailors were found frozen to the rigging of the mizzenmast near the surface. One was a rather short, heavy-set man, with brown hair and unshaven face. He had an emblem of some kind pricked on his hand. The other was a tall, thin man, with brown hair and moderately heavy beard. One young man about 20 years old was found about half-way up the rigging of the mainmast. There was nothing found on any of the bodies that would identify them. The lighthouse keeper at Chequamegon reports that wreckage washed ashore near his house Wednesday afternoon. The storm was then raging furiously and was accompanied by a blinding snowfall. It was the opinion of some that the schooner had broken in two. No trace of the balance of the crew could be found, but all have undoubtedly perished. The Lucerne measured 602 [?] tons, and was owned by Capt. James Corrigan of Cleveland. She was valued at $25,000. Nothing is known here concerning the insurance. She arrived at this port in tow of the stmr Raleigh, which also tows the schr Niagara. After discharging her cargo of coal she left last Saturday for Ashland, where she loaded ore and cleared for Cleveland Tuesday. The whereabouts of the Raleigh and Niagara cannot be learned.
ASHLAND, Wis., Nov. 19.--[Special.]--News has just been received here that the schr Lucerne has gone to the bottom of Lake Superior with all on board. She is not known to have been seen after she left here until Wednesday, when the Captain of the steambarge Fred Kelly saw her turn about and head for this port for shelter. Not arriving here this morning, the Captain of the steam-barge Raleigh telegraphed to Barfield [??] for tugs to go in search of her. The stmr S. H. Barker immediately started out. She had only gone a few miles when the spurs of a vessel were seen just about the water about one mile south and about ten miles from this city. Three men were found lashed in the rigging. They were immediately cut loose and brought to this city tonight. One is recognized as being the second mate. The vessel is lying in forty feet of water. The Lucerne left this port with a crew of nine men, all of whom are supposed to be lost. The tug Brower of Barfield [?] has been searching about the wreck all day for more bodies, but has not yet found any. The bodies were covered with from one to six inches of ice. The Lucerne is supposed to have gone to the bottom some time Wednesday night. The coroner's inquest over the bodies will be held tomorrow.
CLEVELAND, O., Nov. 19.--[Special.]--The schr Lucerne is owned by Capt. James Corrigan, Capt. W. S. Mack of the steam-barge Raleigh, and others. She was insured in the hull pool for $20,000. Capt. Lloyd was master of the Lucerne. Nothing is known here as to the names of the crew.
WASHBURN, Wis., Nov. 19.--Two masts of a vessel were discovered about one mile off Chequamegon Point this morning. On arrival at the wreck she was found to be a three-masted schooner, with her mizzenmast broken so as not to be visible from this place. She had evidently foundered at anchor, as she had 18 feet of water over her decks and her jib and topsail were all furled. Her yawl, which washed ashore, shows her to have been the Lucerne, of Cleveland. She arrived here with coal from Cleveland with the Niagara and Raleigh, and cleared for Ashland on the 14th, then loaded with ore at Ashland, and left there about the 15th. Two sailors were found frozen to the rigging of the mizzenmast near the water. One was rather a short, heavy-set man, with brown hair and unshaven face. He had an emblem of some kind pricked on his hand. The other was a tall, thin man, with brown hair and moderately heavy beard. One young man, about 20 years old, was found about halfway up the rigging of the mainmast. Nothing was found that would identify them. The lighthouse keeper at Chequamegon Point reports wreckage washed ashore near his house at 4:30 P.M. on the 17th. At this time the storm was at its height, accompanied by a blinding snowstorm. It was the opinion the schooner had broken in two and her position would indicate this to be true. No trace of the rest of the crew could be found, and they all undoubtedly found watery graves.
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