The Legend of John Maynard

Immortalized in a poem by Theodor Fontane

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, February 28, 2016

1. The Legend of John Maynard Marker

John Maynard
“Who is John Maynard?”
“John Maynard, he was our helmsman
Who held out ’till he brought us safely through,
Saved us and wears a hero’s crown above.
For us he died, and his reward our love.
John Maynard.”

Across Lake Erie the “Swallow” wings, Foam like snow the ship’s bow rings, Detroit to Buffalo she makes her way, All hearts aboard feel free and gay, And passengers with kith and kin, Can see the shore in the twilight dim, And chattering to John Maynard say, “Helmsman, how much further away?” He looks ahead, then around and explains,

“Still thirty minutes ... half an hour remains.”

Every heart is cheerful and every heart feels free, When from below a cry suddenly: “Fire!” was the awful shout, As smoke from cabin and hatch poured out. First smoke, then flames, a blazing glow.

And still twenty minutes to Buffalo.

And passengers crowd around

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the bow, The colorful mass pressed together now; At the bowsprit there’s still air and light: But at the helm the smoke’s grip is tight; A moan is heard, “Where are we? Do you know?”

And still fifteen minutes to Buffalo.

The wind increases but the smoke cloud says. Towards the helm the captain turns his gaze, He can discern his helmsman no more, But through the speaking tube implores: “Still there, John Maynard?” “Yes, sir, I am.” “Head to the beach! Into the surf!” “Yes, sir. I’ll ram.” And the people cheer on: “Please don’t let go!”

And still ten minutes to Buffalo.

“Still there, John Maynard?” Then this reply, with a dying man’s voice, “Yes, sir, I’ll try.” And into the surf among rocks and stone, he guides the “Swallow” steering alone; Should rescue come it will only come so. Rescue: the beach of Buffalo.

The vessel’s broken, it smolders like coal. All have been saved, all save one soul.

All the city bells peel, then woes upswell, To heaven from each church and chapel, A ringing and tolling, all else is silent. Just one goal on which all will bear: Ten thousand or more make up the train, And none in the crowd the tears can restrain.

The coffin’s lowered upon flowers laid, With flowers they then close the grave, And out in the marble in letters of gold, The city’s debt of thanks is told: “Here rests John Maynard. In smoke

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, February 28, 2016

2. Northward

Towards the end of the breakwall at the entrance to Erie Basin Marina.

and flame, He held onto the rudder with might and main... Saved us and wears a hero’s crown above. For us he died, and his reward our love.
John Maynard.”

Sie lassen den Sarg in Blumen hinab, Mit Blumen schließen sie das Grab, Und mit goldner Schrift in den Marmorstein Schreibt die Stadt ihren Dankspruch ein: “Hier ruht John Maynard! In Qualm und Brand Hielt er das Steuer fest in der Hand, Er hat uns gerettet, er trägt die Kron, Er starb für uns, unsre Liebe sein Lohn.
John Maynard.”

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, February 28, 2016

3. Southward

Towards the 1833 lighthouse on the opposite side of the entrance to the Buffalo River.

Augustus Fuller, also known as Luther Fuller and John Maynard, was the helmsman of the steamboat Erie. He died on August 9, 1841 at 23 years of age, at the wheel of the ship which was destroyed by fire. He was praised for his heroism for remaining at his post. ...

An anonymous prose sketch entitled The Helmsman of Lake Erie did not appear until four years after the loss of the Erie. Many researchers have stated that the sketch referred to Fuller, probably due to the magnitude of the tragedy, which up to 1841

Via Wikimedia Commons from Student and Schoolmate, vol. 21, no. 1, January 1868

4. John Maynard at the Helm of the Erie

was the worst steamer conflagration on Lake Erie. Nonetheless, it is claimed the helmsman in the sketch is not Fuller, but “Old John Maynard.” ...

In Germany ... Fontane's “John Maynard” was hugely popular and still is compulsory reading in school and thus the City of Buffalo was urged by enthusiastic German tourists to install a commemorative plate (explaining the legend and the man) at the lake in 1998.

... The ERIE left the dock at 10 minutes past 4 P. M., loaded with merchandise destined for Chicago, and as nearly as now can be ascertained, about two hundred persons, including passengers and crew on board. The boat had been thoroughly overhauled, and although the wind was blowing fresh, everything pronounced a pleasant and prosperous voyage. Nothing occurred to mar this prospect till about 8, when the boat was off Silver Creek, about 8 miles from shore, and 33 miles from this city, when a slight explosion was heard, and immediately, instantaneously almost, the whole vessel was enveloped in flames. ...

Public Domain, unknown source, circa 1860

5. Theodor Fontane, Novelist and Poet (1819–1898)

Forty-five years after the event, Theodor Fontane elevated the helmsman into the legend of John Maynard, who has lived on in schoolchildren’s imaginations ever since. Fontane did not adhere strictly to the facts. His steamer sailed in the opposite direction – from Detroit to Buffalo – and all his passengers survived the inferno. He turns Maynard into a heroic figure, one who sacrifices his own life to save countless others. Very much in the spirit of his time, Fontane condensed an actual event into a gripping drama of courage, duty and devotion, extolling the protagonist as the standard-bearer of these outstanding human virtues.

Public Domain

6. Perhaps the Erie Engulfed in Flames

This uncredited undated illustration is often used on Internet pages when discussing Fontane's poem.

1882

7. The Legend of John Maynard Marker

edited page from christian herald