Introduction by Adam Levine
About 40 years ago I stood on the Chestnut Street Bridge over the Schuylkill, watching a human body floating in the river. I wasn’t the first one to spot the body; someone had already called the police; and as we waited for the police boat to arrive, the crowd of people watching grew. The day was sunny and warm, and since I was self-employed (which means I only worked when I wanted to) I had plenty of time to stand and ponder. I remember thinking it odd that the body was floating upstream, toward Market Street along the west bank. This was years before I became interested in sewers and rivers. I wasn’t aware then that the Schuylkill was tidal up to the Fairmount Dam, and the direction of the floating body probably meant that the tide was coming in. By the time the police arrived on one of their boats to fish the body out, more than a hundred people had gathered on the bridges overlooking the river, standing in mostly silent vigil for this person who none of us knew.
I don’t recall exactly what I was thinking that day, only that I would somehow write about this, which I did back then. If the paragraphs I wrote were ever published, I couldn’t find any clipping in my files today. But I must have been thinking what most of us think whenever we look upon a dead body, whether floating in the river or in a casket at a funeral — the same overwrought thoughts we all get from time to time, about the fragility of life. Whether by accident or on purpose, a person was dead, and (forgive another cliché) there but for the grace of God go I.
I don’t even believe in God, or I pretend not to, anyway, but that day I was glad that I was the one on the bridge, watching, and not the one in the water, dead. My day will come, I know, but like most of us, I hope to just drift off gently and die in my sleep. I’ll let you know how that works out.
Police officers must get inured to human suffering, or at least the Philadelphia harbor police must have in 1884. That year alone, according to the reports from the two divisions, covering the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, they were called on to recover 46 drowned bodies. Sometimes a dead body floats, which makes its retrieval straightforward, if still gruesome. But sometimes bodies sink, and despite hours of grappling the muddy bottom with what, in essence, are giant fish hooks, the river never gives them up.
See also the companion to this post: Delaware Harbor Police Report for 1884.
Report of the Lieutenant of the Schuylkill [River] Harbor Police, for the year ending December 31, 1884
From the First annual message of William B. Smith, Mayor of Philadelphia, with the accompanying documents. Philadelphia: Dunlap & Clarke, 1885.
January 2.—About 1 o’clock A. M., tool house of the Pennsylvania Railroad at the South street bridge, west side of the Schuylkill river, burned, with all its contents.
January 5.—The tug Samuel G. King kept the channel open on the Schuylkill to Gray’s Ferry bridge, so the coal barges carrying coal for the Gas Works could get to the Works.
January 6.—Tug cut a channel in the ice from the Callowhill street bridge to Gray’s Ferry, so the tug Falcon could get up the river with two canal barges loaded with coal for the Almshouse.
January 7.—Tug cut the coal barges loose at the Spring Garden Gas Works wharf, so they could unload the coal; also, the coal barges at Pine street wharf, for Mr. McBride.
January 7.—While the tug was releasing from ice the coal barges loaded with coal belonging to Mr. McBride, a bolt holding the chocks on the rudder post broke, and let the chocks drop and come in contact with the propeller, and broke two floats off the propeller.
January 9.—About 1 o’clock this P. M., a freshet occurred in the river; the water rose to the top of the wharves; the wrecking boxes belonging to Moore & Myers were carried on top of an old wreck on the flats, on the west side of the river, off Vine street; the tug was called on, and pulled them to a place of safety.
January 10.—At 12 o’clock this M., the canal boat Thomas, lying at Market Street Gas Works wharf, with a cargo of tar in bulk, was in a dangerous position, as there was not water enough to float her at low tide; she was removed to Locust street wharf by the tug.
January 18.—The tug cut the ice on the Schuylkill river from Callowhill street bridge to Gray’s Ferry bridge, so the coal barges with coal for the Gas Works could get up the river.
January 21.—Tug cut the ice in the river for the tug Falcon, so she could get down the river.
January 21.—Cut the ice from around the coal barges owned by Michael Agen, so he could unload the coal which the barges were loaded with.
January 22.—The tug broke the ice in the river from Vine street wharf to Gray’s Ferry bridge; the bolts that held the rudder chocks on the rudder post broke, and the chocks were lost, they having dropped off in the river somewhere.
January 26.—Tug made several trips through the ice from Vine street wharf to Gray’s Ferry, so tugs could get up the river with coal barges and other vessels.
January 27.—About 4.15 this P. M., James Brown, aged 34 years, a sailor, fell off of the boom of the bark “N. Mosher,” lying at Point Breeze, and was drowned; the Schuylkill Harbor Police grappled for the body.
February 3.—About 5.30 this P. M., James Donnelly, aged 10 years, residing at 2340 Callowhill street, broke through the ice at Callowhill street bridge and was drowned; his body was recovered at 11.30 P. M., by officers Pryor and Williams, of the Schuylkill Harbor.
February 4.—At 2.45 this P. M., the body of James Brown, the sailor who was drowned off the bark “N. Mosher,” of Liverpool, was recovered by officers Lilley and Wilson.
February 14.—About 11.30 this A. M., picked up the body of an unknown man floating in the river off Alter street wharf, Schuylkill; Coroner notified.
February 20.—About 7.30 this P. M., Mr. Rush, residing at Twenty-first and Winter streets, was prevented from walking overboard at Vine street wharf by officer Vance, of the Schuylkill Harbor Police.
February 25.—Tug proceeded down the river with Mr. Foy, of the Reading Railroad Company, and the Committee of Port Wardens, to view the site for the new bridge of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company. Number of passengers, 25.
March 13.—About 10.30 this A. M., received information that the dead body of an unknown…infant was lying on the lot at Twenty-fourth and Carlton streets; sent officer Lilley to bring it to the boat, and notify the Coroner.
March 17.—About 9 o’clock this A. M., officers Lilley and Wilson arrested George Cooper and James Hodge, at Twenty-fourth and Vine streets, for the larceny of a brass beam, the property of Bregner & O’Brine, valued at twelve dollars.
March 17.—Magistrate C. Brown committed Geo. Cooper and James Hodge to the House of Correction.
March 18.—About 2.30 this P. M., Bernard Samuel, aged 19 years, living in a German lodging house, at No. 419 South Seventh street, attempted to take his life while suffering from intermittent fever, by throwing himself into the Schuylkill river from the upper deck of the Callowhill street bridge; he was rescued from drowning by William Claws.
March 21.—Tug went to Point Breeze with Mr. Patterson and friend, of the Board of Health. Two passengers.
March 26.—Tug was hauled out at Cooper’s Point ship-yard and new wheel put on and bottom painted.
March 27.—While the schooner “Elm City” was being towed through South street bridge draw, she came in collision, carrying away her fore-mast, main, and fore-top-masts, bow sprit and jibboom; the bridge was also considerably damaged.
April 1.—About 2 o’clock this P. M., the body of an unknown man was picked up floating in the river Schuylkill at Point Breeze; Coroner notified.
April 3.—About 9.45 this P.M., officer Lilley found a basket containing a boy baby, about two months old, in the entry of 1131 Vine street; it was taken to the Sheltering Arms.
April 8.—About 3.30 P. M., tug proceeded to Point Breeze Gas Works with Committee on Gas, of the Trustees. Nine persons.
April 8.—Some time this P. M., William Serty, age 12 years, residing at 2632 Callowhill street, was drowned in the river Schuylkill, below Callowhill street bridge; his body was recovered by Officer Wilson, at 9.30 P. M., and Coroner notified.
April 15.—About 6.15 this P. M., William Crawford came up the river in a small boat and went to the lumber raft lying at Harrison’s wharf, and removed the lines from off the raft. He was arrested by the harbor police, and he being one of the party that had the raft in charge, was released by the lieutenant.
April 25.—-Tug proceeded along the river front with Committee of Councils to view the site of the new drive.
April 27.—About 10 o’clock this A. M. picked up the body of Isabella Loughlin floating in the river at Chestnut street wharf, west side; Coroner notified.
May 2.—About 5 o’clock this P. M., Timothy Mullen, age 25 years, was removed from the canal boat “Adelina,” by the Schuylkill Harbor Police, and placed in the Philadelphia Hospital; he was suffering with typhoid fever, and had no medical treatment.
May 2.—About 1.30 P. M., John McLaughlin and his wife came up the river in a small boat from Eastwick’s, where they reside; and when John was getting out of the boat it went adrift, with his wife in it; she was picked up by the Schuylkill Harbor Police, and taken to Gibson’s Point, where she resides.
May 12.—About 7.30 this P. M., Robert Robinson, age 25 years, residing at Twenty-third and Hare streets, attempted suicide by jumping into the Schuylkill river off Toner’s wharf; he was rescued by some boatmen, and sent to his home.
May 12.—Officers Wilson and Hampson picked up adrift a single shell boat off Race street wharf; they took it to the Swan Barge Club House for safe keeping.
May 17.—Tug was transferred to the Delaware Harbor, and the tug “William S. Stokley” to the Schuylkill Harbor, by orders of the Chief of Police.
May 18.—About 10 o’clock, Officer Lilley picked up the body of an infant at South street bridge, on the west side of the river, lying in the marsh; Coroner notified.
May 18.—About 4.30 this P. M., John Dempsey, age 49 years, residing at 1609 Latona street, was drowned in the Schuylkill river, below Gray’s Ferry bridge; the Harbor Police grappled for the body.
May 20.—About 9.15 this A. M. Officers Lilley and Wilson recovered the body of John Dempsey, who was drowned on the 18th, and it was taken to his late residence, 1609 Latona street; Coroner notified.
May 23.—About 10.15 this P. M., fire broke out at the Philadelphia Refinery, Point Breeze, caused by being struck by lightning.
May 24.—Tug went in service at the fire of the Philadelphia Refining Company on May 24, and remained in service until 4.30 P. M. May 27, having two lines of hose with a lead of 1,600 feet each, playing two streams on the fire.
May 24.—5 o’clock this P. M., Bertie Moland, aged 15 years, residing at No. 3611 Baring street, while bathing at Willow street wharf, was drowned; his body was recovered by Officers Lilley and Wilson at 7.30 P. M., and taken to his late residence; Coroner notified.
May 25.-—John G. Allegaert, aged 14 years, residing at No. 40 North Broad street, fell overboard and was drowned while rowing on the Schuylkill river from Point Breeze, by the upsetting of the boat; his body was recovered by John Hobbs and sent home; Coroner notified.
May 26.—The body of an unknown drowned man was picked up off Race street wharf, Schuylkill river; Coroner notified.
May 27.—Tug “ William S. Stokley” returned to Sansom street wharf, from the fire of the coal oil works of the Philadelphia Refinery Company, and received orders from Captain Schooley, acting chief, to go out of service.
June 2.—At 5.50 this P. M., the double team and wagon belonging to G. P. Ruter, residing at Front and York streets, and having a load of ten bales of straw and ten bags of wheat on, caught fire while crossing the Chestnut street bridge; the team and wagon were saved from burning by the Schuylkill Harbor Police, but the straw’ and wheat were destroyed.
June 3.—At 5 o’clock this A. M., John Hicks, aged 18 years, residing at Twenty-Seventh and South streets, was arrested by the Schuylkill Harbor Police at Sansom street wharf, for the larceny of marble from the Vermont Marble Company’s yard; he was held in $500 bail by Magistrate Randall.
June 4.—11.50, flames were discovered issuing from the boiler-house of Malcolm Lloyd’s refineries at Gibson’s Point; the flames spread rapidly, and in a short time the large ware house, in which refined oil in barrels and cases were stored, was destroyed; a stiff breeze was blowing in the direction of Bosshardt & Wilson’s large shipping shed, which was also destroyed; the tug “William S. Stokley” went into service at 3 o’clock P.M., and stayed in service until 8 o’clock next day, and returned to Sansom street wharf.
June 9.—About 7.10 this A. M., Henry Forker, aged 38 years, attempted suicide at the Almshouse wharf; he was rescued by Officer Williams, of the Schuylkill Harbor Police, and taken to the Almshouse, where he resided.
June 9.—About 8 o’clock this P. M., received information that William Kirk, aged 10 years, was drowned at the Willow wharf.
June 13.—William Kirk, the boy that was reported to have been drowned at the Woodland wharf on the 9th of June, has been found in the streets at Stroudsburg, Pa.
June 21.—About 8 o’clock this P. M., John Dugan, aged 25 years, residing at No. 2709 Federal street, was drowned at the Woodland wharf; his body was recovered June 22, by the Schuylkill Harbor Police, and the Coroner notified.
June 23.—At 5.25 this P. M., a slight fire occurred on the Abattoir wharf under some cattle cars, caused by loose bark taking fire; it was extinguished by the Schuylkill Harbor Police without damage to the cars.
June 26.—About 10.30 this A. M., the dead body of an infant was found at Locust street wharf, Schuylkill river, by Officers Williams and Vance; Coroner notified.
June 26.—About 4 o’clock this P. M., the body of a man supposed to be Peter Leonard, a Pennsylvania Railroad foreman; he resided on Cuthbert street, above Fifteenth street, and had been in the employ of M. J. Meeney; the Coroner took charge of the body.
June 30.—About 7 o’clock this P. M., the body of John Peoples, who had been missing since the 27th of June, was found floating in the Schuylkill river, at Race Street wharf.
July 1.—About 2 o’clock, A. M., the schooner “Agnes R. Bacon,” of Bridgeton. N. J., lying at Spruce street wharf, Schuylkill, was robbed of hawsers and lines, valued at about $50; property recovered; captain of schooner, Alfred Haley.
July 23.—John Reagen, aged 8 years, residing at 605 South Twentieth street, was found on the South street dump, with both feet poisoned; he was taken to the University Hospital and treated, and then taken home; the poison was placed on the dump from some chemical works unknown; he was taken home by Officers Nash and Seyferhelt.
July 26.—About 3.30 this P. M., George Duffer, aged 11 years, residing 2710 Federal street, fell off Grays’ Ferry bridge; fractured his thigh and otherwise injured; taken to the University Hospital by Officers McKelvey and Vance, of the Schuylkill Harbor Police.
August 1.—About 5.30 this A. M., fire broke out at the rink, Twenty-third and Chestnut streets, which was destroyed, and some of the surrounding property; tug being out of ser vice, run out line of hose to plug, Twenty-fourth street above Sansom street; was in service ten minutes before the Fire Department arrived.
August 1.—About 4.30 this P. M., Officer McKelvey found Daniel Mullen, aged 53 years, lying on the wharf under the Market street bridge; he was sick, and had been lying there from July 31, and had nothing to eat; he was removed to the Philadelphia Hospital.
August 4.—About 4.45 last P. M., Andrew Livingstone, aged 19 years, residing at 2606 Kansas street, fell overboard at Christian street wharf, Schuylkill river, and was drowned; the body was recovered by the Schuylkill Harbor Police, and Coroner notified.
August 5.—About 1.25 last P. M., Hugh Early, aged 45 years, residing 3004 Chestnut street, fell overboard from a coal barge lying on the west side of the Schuylkill riyer; he was rescued from drowning by Officers Nash and Lilley, of the Schuylkill Harbor.
August 6.—Charles O. Buness, aged 50 years, residing at No. 793 South Front street, fell overboard from the brig “Motley,” of which he was mate, in the Schuylkill river on August 4th; the body was found August 6th, at Penrose Ferry bridge, by the Schuylkill Harbor Police Officers Nash and Wilson; Coroner notified.
August 9.—About 10.45 P. M., the coal boat belonging to Charles Gallagher, loaded with ninety tons of Coal, lying at Sansom street wharf, west side of Schuylkill river, sunk.
August 10.—About 4.20 this P. M., James McCalim, aged 23 years, residing at Twenty-fourth and Spring Garden streets, upset from a small boat on the Schuylkill river; he was rescued by the Harbor Police.
August 14.—About 1.15 P. M., Leewy McFeeley, aged 10 years, residing at No. 3005 Girard avenue, was drowned above Callowhill street bridge, west side; the body was recovered by Officers Nash and Wilson, and taken home; Coroner notified.
August 19.—About 11 o’clock this A. M., the body of an unknown drowned man was found floating in Locust street dock by the Harbor Police; dressed in dark gray suit, congress gaiters, sack coat, sandy mustache; about 35 years of age; Coroner notified.
August 20.—About 11.30 last. P. M., picked up adrift a scow painted red, owned by Patrick Cannon.
August 21.—2.20 this P. M., R. H. Smith, residing in rear of No. 1132 Pine street, was injured by a team of horses falling on him while he was working in a ditch at Eighteenth and Rittenhouse streets; Officer Nash telegraphed for the Pennsylvania ambulance, and he was taken to the Pennsylvania Hospital.
August 25.—About 12.30 this P. M., the body of an unknown drowned man was found floating in the Schuylkill river, at Vine street wharf; body was dressed in brown and white striped jumper, plaid shirt, brown plaid pants, buckled shoes, black hair, gray mustache, chin whiskers; about 50 years of age; black and white straw hat found on wharf; body recovered by Officer Sankey.
August 31.—-About 9 o’clock this P. M., Mrs. Mulheran, residing at No. 2320 Sansom street, attempted to commit suicide by jumping overboard at Sansom street wharf, Schuylkill river, but was prevented by Officer Pryor and Pilot McClellan, and taken to her home.
September 3.—About 4.20 this A. M., the tug “Falcon,” lying at South street wharf, caught fire and was burned to water edge; loss $3,000, insured for $1,000.
September 6.—Tug “William S. Stokley” was delivered to McBeagley, for repairs, by Lieutenant W. H. Francis.
September 28.—About 3 o’clock this P. M., Officers Vance and Pryor picked up a man named P. F. McGurk, 48 years of age, lying on the marsh, suffering from an injured foot and lacerated wound of scalp; he was taken to the University Hospital and had his wounds dressed.
October 5.—Officers Nash and Wilson recovered a small scow, loaded with coal, that had been stolen from canal boat “ Centennial,” lying at Sansom street wharf; the coal was consigned to Moyer & Kirk.
October 7.—About 2.45 this P. M., Officers Nash and Wilson arrested Thomas O’Brien at Twenty-fifth and Pine streets, for robbing the schooner “Agnes R. Bacon,” of Bridgeton, N.J.
October 22.—About 11 o’clock this A. M., Officer John Nash, of Schuylkill Harbor Police, and Special Officer Charles Kenney, of the Eleventh District, arrested Peter J. O’Rourke, aged 50 years, residing at No. 2057 Pemberton street, on the charge of forgery, obtaining money under false pretence, and conspiracy; held in $1,800 bail by Magistrate McClintock.
October 28.—About 2 o’clock this P. M., John Husen was taken to the University Hospital with lacerated wound in head, received at Christian street wharf, from an assault by parties unknown.
October 30.—About 6.45 this A. M. C. Brown was in the act of walking overboard at Sansom street wharf, Schuylkill river, and was prevented by Lieutenant Francis; he refused to give his residence.
November 15.—About 1.30 this P. M., the canal barge “Conewince” while in tow with tug “Champion,” struck trestle work at new Market street bridge, and stove her bow in and sunk.
November 17.—About 2 o’clock this A. M., Maggie Sheehan, aged 40 years, no home, partly deranged and helpless, was found at Pine street wharf, Schuylkill river, by Officers Nash and Hampson; taken to Fifth District Station.
December 8.—About 9 o’clock this A. M., Officer Seyferhelt arrested a young man giving his name as George Fox, aged 15 years, residing at Percy and Diamond streets, for tapping the till of Aaron Reinherer, residing 529 Poplar street; held in $800 bail by Magistrate Becker.
Download a PDF of the Schuylkill River Harbor Police Report
Download a PDF of the Delaware River Harbor Police Report
December 16.-—The tug Samuel G. King was returned to Lieutenant Francis, for duty on Schuylkill river.
December 20.—The Schuylkill river was frozen over last night for first time this winter.
December 25.—Chief of Police Stewart sends the season’s greetings—expresses the hope that every member of the force may enjoy a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.,
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM H. FRANCIS,
Lieutenant Schuylkill, Harbor Police.