Although the Scilly Isles has had many awful shipwrecks, one of the worst was the S.S.Schiller, a German ferry which hit the Retarrier Ledges in 1875. The Schiller was one of the largest vessels of her day, and was making a fast transatlantic passage from New York to Hamburg via Southampton. She was carrying a cargo of sewing machines, gold coins, 254 passengers and 118 crew.
On the evening of the 7th May, the Schiller was somewhere off the Scilly Isles and encountered thick fog. She slowed to 4 knots, and her lookouts kept watch for the reassuring sight or sound of the Bishops Rock Lighthouse or foghorn. Neither were seen, and the Schiller slowly crept inside the Bishops Rock and struck the Retarrier Ledges. The Captain managed to reverse off the reef, but two large waves smashed the ship broadside to the ledges and the hull started to break up.
Many of the lifeboats were fatally damaged when the Schiller struck, being ground against the rocks, and most of the others were found to be defective due to poor maintenance. As some were cut loose, they just fell into the sea with all their passengers and were crushed between the ship and the rocks. Panic spread and there were extraordinary violent scenes, with men pushing away women and children from the boats so that they could save themselves. The crew were just as bad, and many of the women and children took refuge in the main cabin. Their relief was short lived as the roof was torn off by a huge wave, which sucked all the women and children out onto the deck, where more waves threw their bodies into the sea and drowned them.
The Captain tried to restore order by firing into the rioting passengers but it was no good. In the end only two boats bearing just 27 people managed to get away. As the Schiller started to slip further into the water people took to the rigging where many were killed or maimed by flying chains and other sailing gear. The Captain had ordered signal cannons to be fired to notify those on shore of their distress, but they were mistaken for requests for a pilot cutter. However at daybreak a cutter from St. Agnes, set out to investigate more reports of gunfire and were shocked to come across the remains of the Schiller. They picked up five survivors and rowed back to St Mary’s to raise the alarm.
In memory of Louise Holzmaister. Born at New York May 15th 1851. Lost her life in the wreck of the SS Schiller off the Scilly Isles may 7th 1875. Her body resting in the deep. This monument has been erected to her memory as a mark of affection by her huspand.
Boats came from all over to try and find survivors but they were few and far between. Some people had managed to get to the small uninhabited islands and were rescued but for the rest hope had vanished. The boats searched for hours but all that was left were lifeless bodies and ships debris floating on the water. Of the 254 passengers and 118 crew only 37 survived. None of them were children.
The Scillonians took great care to gather as many of the bodies as possible, identify, and bury them with reverence and dignity. So impressed were the German Government, that when the Two World Wars broke out between England and Germany, orders were sent out to prevent bombing or attack of the islands in recognition off the kindnesses that the Islanders had shown their countrymen all those years before.
I am extremely gratefull to Bryan Donohue for the following photos and information about his great great grandfather, Louis Beald, who was a cabin boy on the Schiller and survived its sinking.
Pamela Cowan says
My great grandfather was a Prussian Mariner who married a young girl from Appledore, North Devon in 1861. His name was Charles Schiller and I am wondering whether he was a crew member of the SS Schiller. If he was a crew member he would have been one of the survivors. Any information woud be welcomed.
karen olari-bashore says
my ggggrandfather went down on this ship. his name was christian hirni. thank-you karen
Joanne Follon says
My Great Great Grand was a Prussian Mariner who married Phillis Hare a local girl from Appledore in 1861. So it’s more than likely the same person!! (i am researching my family tree at the moment) I have abit of info on him although not to do with the above – although i am now intrigued and will look into it. If yo have since discovered anything please let me know and vice versa if you want any info contact me.
JIM HARRIS says
THERE ARE STILL A FEW FAMILIES NAME OF SCHILLER LIVING IN APPLEDORE.
Pam Cowan says
Message for Joanne Follon
Have found out lots of info on Charles Schiller, Phillis Hare and others. If you would like me to contact you please email as above.
Pam Cowan says
Message for Joanne Follon
Have found out lots of info on Charles Schiller, Phillis Hare and others. If you would like me to contact you please email as above.
janine schiller says
My Grandfather was also called Charles Schiller but i think the Charles you mention was his father. My grandfather lived in Ilfracombe. I think he was one of 8 children.
Pam Cown says
Yes, Charles Schiller was your great grandfather, who had eght childen with Phyllis Hare, including my own grandmother. Please
email at the above address as I have quite a lot of info, but am always looking to find out more.
Nicola Jenkin says
Interesting to read about the care taken by the islanders. My G-g-grandfather was the cleric on St Agnes at the time of the sinking, and buried 4 of the dead (3 unnamed).
Mike Williams says
I am also a descendant of Charles Schiller and Phylliss Hare. My Grandmother Ada Schiller married John Nathanial Williams in 1932 at Appledore.
I have a fairly comprehensive family tree.
Bob Ellison says
My great-grandfather was Charles Ernst, one of the surviving crew members of The Schiller. I’d love to hear from other descendants of his.
philip bryant says
my grand mothers brother was one who servived the sinking
Mr schiller williams any info would b appreciated
thank u
stephen schiller says
Please could Pam Cowan contact me at this e-mail address sassie.chance@talktalk.net
I would like to know where our great-grandad Charles was born.
Lorraine Hatcher says
My great grandfather was one of the survivors of the SS Schiller, he was RIchard Williams a Miner and Championship Cornish Wrestler from Chacewater. He changed his wrestling name to Schiller Williams. I would be interested in any info or a picture. I have several newspaper articles. Richard was born in Chacewater in 1852 and died in Mexico in 1892.
Bryan Donohue says
My great great grandfather, Louis W. Beald was a cabin boy on this ship and survived the disaster. He was 14 or 15 at the time of the event. I have a letter from him addressed to one of his sons that he briefly mentions this event in his life.
Alexander Gregory says
Is there a full passenger list? I lost two ancestors on the Schiller
Fred Ernst says
To Bob Ellison and anyone else interested… Charles Ernst was my grandfather and one of the 37 survivors as has been noted. My brother, Charles, has a few pages of a log that was kept by him (Charles the survivor) or some other crew member. The story that was passed down the generations is that my grandfather was summoned to Milwaukee to serve as a witness to the Schlitz family that one of their family members died in the shipwreck. We were led to believe that this summons and resulting appearance in court drew him to immigrate to the Milwaukee area (Kenosha) where he raised most of his family. This does not explain several years of residence in Boston where he married our grandmother, Rosa Hauser. Please feel free to contact me at frederick.ernst@retiree.utrgv.edu.
Ian Royce Chamberlain says
Starting from a Scillies tourist’s superficial interest in the Schiller disaster I have become fascinated, not least by all the unknowns. As a poet, I am putting together a series of short Schiller pieces for inclusion in the next book. All and any additional information warmly received, particularly regarding other survivors’ names; eg, there was one female survivor, according to the Scillies Museum – who was she? And what was the name of Louise Holzmaister’s bereaved husband?
Much respect to the late Peter Mitchell for an erudite and well-constructed article.
Kristen says
How many years was this ship in service? I have relatives who came from Germany on a ship named Schiller in 1857
Edward A. Neate says
Edward A. Neate
September 7,2019
My great grand father Hermann Miller first wife Susannah Manquen (Menken) father Michael Manquen left Detroit Michigan to go back to Biel Moselle France Alsace Lorain. He left his wife and 9 children on their 20 acre farm Village of Hamtramck City of Detroit Michigan.
In the Miller plot Mt. Elliott Cemetery Detroit Michigan all in German is his inscription In Remembrance of Michael Manquen a good man who died on the wreck of the Schiller.
Ian Royce Chamberlain says
Delighted to announce my book, focused entirely on the Schiller wreck and its aftermath, will be published on Feb 21 2020. It’s poetry, but based entirely on solid research – many reliable sources found. £6 + 1.50p&p from me via email, Waterstones, or Mudlark Press. First review: ‘Tragic, but hauntingly, beautifully romantic, an exquisite piece of work.’
Ian Royce Chamberlain says
Feb 4 2020. Note the date on my last post was wrong – posted today. Book available from Feb 21. Ian
Thilo Greiner says
Great book on the subject: “The Victorian Titanic” – The loss of the SS. Schiller in 1875 by Keith Austin
Halsgrove Publishing 2001
ISBN 1 84114 133 X
Well written and containimg full passenger and crew list.
B. Weber says
My family emigrated to America, arriving in New York on 01 September, 1874 aboard the Schiller. They were steerage passengers, paying $24.00 a-piece for the voyage. Just 8 months later the Schiller would be lost.