The John Milton, a sturdy 1,444-ton vessel built in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, met a tragic end on February 20, 1858, just 5 nautical miles (9 km) west of the Montauk Lighthouse. This devastating wreck claimed the lives of all 32 or 33 people aboard, marking one of the worst maritime disasters along the east coast of Long Island, New York.
Constructed in 1854, the John Milton was under the command of Captain Ephraim Harding, a seasoned mariner from Martha's Vineyard. The ship's home port was New Bedford, Massachusetts, and on this ill-fated voyage, Captain Harding's teenage son, Rudolphus Hancock Harding, was also among the crew.
The voyage began on December 6, 1856, when the John Milton departed New York City. The ship's mission was to load a cargo of guano at the Chincha Islands in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Peru. After successfully completing this task, the vessel made its return journey to the United States, stopping at Norfolk, Virginia, on February 14, 1858. Just two days later, the John Milton set sail northeastward, presumably heading back to New York City.
However, fate had other plans. A fierce snowstorm accompanied by a howling gale descended upon the ship, causing temperatures to plummet to a bone-chilling 8°F (−13°C). In the midst of these treacherous conditions, Captain Harding may have mistaken the newly erected Shinnecock Lighthouse at Ponquogue Point in Hampton Bays for the familiar Montauk Light. This error led the John Milton to run aground off the shore at a location now known as "Ditch Plains."
The aftermath was grim. The frozen bodies of 24 sailors were discovered washed ashore and were laid to rest at the South End Burying Ground in East Hampton, New York. Today, a marble monument stands at this site, commemorating those who perished in the wreck. Among the identified bodies was that of Captain Harding, though tragically, his son's remains were never found. Captain Harding's body was returned to his home and buried in the Village Cemetery in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts.
The story of the John Milton serves as a haunting reminder of the perils faced by seafarers in the 19th century. It underscores the relentless power of nature and the small margins for error that could lead to such catastrophic outcomes. As we remember the lives lost in this tragic disaster, we are reminded of the bravery and resilience of those who venture into the uncertain and often unforgiving embrace of the sea.