A Brief Summary of Ezra Gerry's Start in the Steamboat Industry
This is an example of a steamboat that Ezra Gerry worked on during his time as a steward. These boats were between the 1900-1910 boats that were used for passengers and trade and previously mentioned. Gerry had started his sea farriering career in this position. Later in his life, he began to explore different avenues to his career. Realizing, at this time, that he wanted to get out of Pensacola, Florida or he just wanted to travel for better opportunities he saw himself gain a better position working as a waiter on the Larchmont. After gaining boating experience through being a longshoreman and later joining the Larchmont crew; Gerry saw himself travel to Providence Rhode Island where his untimely death had occurred due to the disaster of the collision between the Larchmont and the Schooner.
On February 17, 1907, the Pensacola News Journal printed an article confirming through a telegraph that the Larchmont had sunk, and her grandson was one of the victims identified. She confirmed that he had moved to Rhode Island, and was employed as a pantryman aboard the Larchmont. The news of his death affected the community deeply.
Death List Growing”. New York Daily Tribune. Newspaper. eLearning. Created 16, Feb. 1907.
“Death Registered in the City of Providence”. R.I., Providence. R.I., Record. eLearning. Created 12 Feb. 1907.
“A Pensacola Victim”. Montgomery Advertiser. Newspaper. Website. http://www.genealogybank.com/gbnk/newspapers/doc/v2%3A11B0124EA8AEC7F0%40. Created 18 Feb. 1907.
Disaster Off Block Island, The Pensacola Journal, Newspaper, Archive, http://ufdc.ufl.edu//UF00075911/01162, Created 13 Feb. 1907.
“Ill-Fated Steamer and Map Showing Location of Disaster”, The Times Dispatch, Newspaper/Picture, eLearning, Created 14 Feb. 1907.