Downtown Ottawa , Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Henry Albert Harper
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2019
1. Henry Albert Harper Marker
the heroism of
Henry Albert Harper M.A.
who in an effort to save the life
of Miss Bessie Blair was drowned
with her in the Ottawa River on the
sixth of December, 1901 in his twenty
eighth year
Érigé par la population pour commémorer l’acte d’héroïsme de Henry Albert Harper M.A. en tentant de sauver la vie de Melle Bessie Blair il fut emporté avec elle dans les eaux de la rivière Outaouais, c’était le six décembre 1901 il avait 28 ans.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Heroes. A significant historical date for this entry is December 6, 1901.
Location. 45° 25.414′ N, 75° 41.898′ W. Marker is in Ottawa, Ontario. It is in Downtown Ottawa. Marker is on Wellington Street (Route 34) just west of Metcalfe Street (Route 89), on the right when traveling west. Marker and Sir Galahad statue in honor of Henry Albert Harper are located along the sidewalk, directly in front of the Parliament of Canada. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 Wellington Street, Ottawa ON K1A 0A6, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Henry Albert Harper (Wikipedia). On December 6, 1901, Harper was attending a skating party held on the frozen Ottawa River by the Governor General, the Earl of Minto. Andrew George Blair's daughter Bessie, and Alex Creelman, fell through a patch of weak ice - though Creelman pulled himself to safety, Harper dove into the river to save Blair, and both ultimately drowned. His last words were reportedly "What else can I do?" when their companions tried to dissuade his rescue attempt, another telling says that he quoted Galahad's famous "If I lose myself, I save myself" before jumping into the water. Their bodies were recovered the following
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2019
2. Henry Albert Harper Marker (Français)
2. Harper Memorial - Sir Galahad. Often, public monuments commemorate political figures, military campaigns or large national events. Some monuments, though, are more personal in nature. They help us remember the people who make up our history and culture. This bronze statue of Sir Galahad honours the bravery of an everyday hero, and is a testament to the power of friendship. It tells the story of Henry Albert Harper, a young civil servant who gave his life trying to rescue a drowning girl more than 100 years ago. (Submitted on June 1, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2019
3. Henry Albert Harper Monument
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2019
4. Sir Galahad Statue
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2019
5. Inscription at Base of Monument
Galahad cried, “If I lose myself, I save myself!”
Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 271 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 1, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
