F.W.J. Hurst
Encyclopedia
Francis William Jones Hurst (Feb. 13, 1840-July 21, 1902), a native of the British West Indies
, was a major figure in the cross-Atlantic shipping business in the 19th century. During the American Civil War
, he captained ships that ran the Union
blockade
of Confederate
ports. From the War’s end to his death, he was the New York-based manager for the National Steam-Ship Company (also known as the National Line). The National Line brought goods and thousands of emigrants from ports in the British Isles to New York.
He was born in St. John’s, Antigua
(then in the British West Indies) on February 13, 1840.
After completing his education in Bermuda
, he relocated to London
, where in 1856 he began his mercantile career. Three years later, he joined Guion & Co. of Liverpool
, and also became a member of the Fifth Lancashire Rifle Volunteers.
The American Civil War
began in 1861, soon after states in the southern United States created the Confederate States of America
. The War immediately threatened the thriving trade between cotton plantations in those states and markets in Europe, especially after the Union Navy established a blockade of Confederate ports. That year Hurst returned to Bermuda and became managing clerk and agent for Edward Lawrence & Co., where his work included captaining ships seeking to “run” the Union naval blockade, carrying in guns, ammunition and medicine and carrying out cotton. One such ship, the “Banshee
,” was the first steel-built vessel to cross the Atlantic. The Banshee made eight successful runs between the Bahamas
and Wilmington, North Carolina
, before being captured on its ninth voyage in November 1863. Throughout this time, Hurst remained a member of the Lancashire Rifle Volunteers, becoming a lieutenant in 1864.
In 1866 –one year after the War ended with the Confederacy’s surrender – Hurst settled in New York, where he became United States manager for the British-based National Steam-ship Company. Using six to ten ships, the company ran weekly voyages between Liverpool and New York via Queenstown
(now known as Cobh), Ireland
(and to a lesser degree, between London and New York). Emigrants from Europe to the United States made up a significant part of the National Line’s business, along with freight. In testimony to a congressional committee in 1888, he described the company’s emigrant passengers as English, Irish, and Scots, with some from Germany and northern Europe.
On June 2, 1868, Hurst married Caroline Eliza Jaffray, daughter of wealthy New York dry-goods merchant Edward Sommerville Jaffray. Two years later, Caroline gave birth to their first daughter, Florence
. She would be known as “Daisy,” and marry J. Borden Harriman
in 1889 before undertaking a long career in social work and public and political service. In 1873, however, after the birth of second and third daughters (Caroline Elise, and Ethel), Caroline Hurst died at age 29. Caroline’s parents then assisted Hurst to raise his three daughters. Hurst and his daughters would spend their winters in a Fifth Avenue mansion, while spending their summers in an Irvington, New York
estate. In April 1894, daughter Caroline Elise wed George H. Mairs of New Jersey,(who would become a banker and teacher).
He was also the longstanding treasurer of the New York Yacht Club
, and was a three-time president of the St. George’s Society of New York (from 1880–81, 1889–91, and 1895–96).
In July 1902, he suffered an appendicitis
, at a point when he was already weakened by intestinal problems. He died soon thereafter, on July 21, 1902.
British West Indies
The British West Indies was a term used to describe the islands in and around the Caribbean that were part of the British Empire The term was sometimes used to include British Honduras and British Guiana, even though these territories are not geographically part of the Caribbean...
, was a major figure in the cross-Atlantic shipping business in the 19th century. During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he captained ships that ran the Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
blockade
Union blockade
The Union Blockade, or the Blockade of the South, took place between 1861 and 1865, during the American Civil War, when the Union Navy maintained a strenuous effort on the Atlantic and Gulf Coast of the Confederate States of America designed to prevent the passage of trade goods, supplies, and arms...
of Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
ports. From the War’s end to his death, he was the New York-based manager for the National Steam-Ship Company (also known as the National Line). The National Line brought goods and thousands of emigrants from ports in the British Isles to New York.
He was born in St. John’s, Antigua
St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda
St John's is the capital and largest city of Antigua and Barbuda, a country located in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea. St John's is located at...
(then in the British West Indies) on February 13, 1840.
After completing his education in Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
, he relocated to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where in 1856 he began his mercantile career. Three years later, he joined Guion & Co. of Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, and also became a member of the Fifth Lancashire Rifle Volunteers.
The American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
began in 1861, soon after states in the southern United States created the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
. The War immediately threatened the thriving trade between cotton plantations in those states and markets in Europe, especially after the Union Navy established a blockade of Confederate ports. That year Hurst returned to Bermuda and became managing clerk and agent for Edward Lawrence & Co., where his work included captaining ships seeking to “run” the Union naval blockade, carrying in guns, ammunition and medicine and carrying out cotton. One such ship, the “Banshee
USS Banshee (1862)
USS Banshee was a large steamship “blockade runner” that was captured by the Union Navy and converted to Navy use during the American Civil War....
,” was the first steel-built vessel to cross the Atlantic. The Banshee made eight successful runs between the Bahamas
The Bahamas
The Bahamas , officially the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, is a nation consisting of 29 islands, 661 cays, and 2,387 islets . It is located in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cuba and Hispaniola , northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and southeast of the United States...
and Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
, before being captured on its ninth voyage in November 1863. Throughout this time, Hurst remained a member of the Lancashire Rifle Volunteers, becoming a lieutenant in 1864.
In 1866 –one year after the War ended with the Confederacy’s surrender – Hurst settled in New York, where he became United States manager for the British-based National Steam-ship Company. Using six to ten ships, the company ran weekly voyages between Liverpool and New York via Queenstown
Cobh
Cobh is a seaport town on the south coast of County Cork, Ireland. Cobh is on the south side of Great Island in Cork Harbour. Facing the town are Spike Island and Haulbowline Island...
(now known as Cobh), Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
(and to a lesser degree, between London and New York). Emigrants from Europe to the United States made up a significant part of the National Line’s business, along with freight. In testimony to a congressional committee in 1888, he described the company’s emigrant passengers as English, Irish, and Scots, with some from Germany and northern Europe.
On June 2, 1868, Hurst married Caroline Eliza Jaffray, daughter of wealthy New York dry-goods merchant Edward Sommerville Jaffray. Two years later, Caroline gave birth to their first daughter, Florence
Florence Jaffray Harriman
Florence Jaffray "Daisy" Harriman was an American socialite, suffragist, social reformer, organizer, and diplomat...
. She would be known as “Daisy,” and marry J. Borden Harriman
J. Borden Harriman
Jefferson Borden Harriman was a New York financier and member of the Gilded Age’s “hunting set.” He was best known as the supportive husband of Florence Jaffray Harriman, a socialite who became a progressive social activist and a United States Ambassador to Norway during the administration of...
in 1889 before undertaking a long career in social work and public and political service. In 1873, however, after the birth of second and third daughters (Caroline Elise, and Ethel), Caroline Hurst died at age 29. Caroline’s parents then assisted Hurst to raise his three daughters. Hurst and his daughters would spend their winters in a Fifth Avenue mansion, while spending their summers in an Irvington, New York
Irvington, New York
Irvington, sometimes known as Irvington-on-Hudson, is an affluent suburban village in the town of Greenburgh in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, north of midtown Manhattan in New York City, and is served by a station stop on the...
estate. In April 1894, daughter Caroline Elise wed George H. Mairs of New Jersey,(who would become a banker and teacher).
He was also the longstanding treasurer of the New York Yacht Club
New York Yacht Club
The New York Yacht Club is a private social club and yacht club based in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1844 by nine prominent sportsmen. The members have contributed to the sport of yachting and yacht design. The organization has over 3,000 members as of 2011. ...
, and was a three-time president of the St. George’s Society of New York (from 1880–81, 1889–91, and 1895–96).
In July 1902, he suffered an appendicitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to...
, at a point when he was already weakened by intestinal problems. He died soon thereafter, on July 21, 1902.