This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
The Seneca Sailor Faces a Dividing War Winds
In 1861 aboard the SS Seneca off Cape Henry, Lieutenant Lawrence Barker records news of Fort Sumter’s fall and a looming Civil War. Ras Huger and Barker grapple with loyalty as Captain Bradford contemplates the fragile stance between Union and Confederacy. The ship carries steam and sail, with a poised crew awaiting orders.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Seneca
Cape Henry
Lansfield
Baltimore
New York
Fort Sumter
Lawrence Barker
USN
Africa Station
Bradford
Charleston
South Carolina
Barker
Erasmus Huger
North Carolina
Old Rastus
Larry
Ras Huger
Ras
Capes
Norfolk
City
Navy Yard
Larry Barker
Barker Bill
George
Mansfield