In 1914, the Ancient Order of Hibernians erected an impressive 18-foot Celtic Cross monument high on a hill to commemorate the 45 Irish immigrants killed in a shipwreck. Their remains rest in a common grave below the hill, marked by the Brig St. John Bench.
The cross is at the apex of the cemetery, both emotionally and physically. A columbarium wall defines it. The cross is intricately carved and has a three-part base made of granite. The Celtic Cross bears the seals of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (A.O.H) and its Ladies Auxiliary (L.A.A.O.H.).
It reads: "This Cross was erected and dedicated May 30, 1914, by the A.O.H. and L.A.A.O.H. of Massachusetts to mark the final resting place of about 45 Irish emigrants from a total company of 99 who lost their lives on Grampus Ledge, off Cohasset, October 7, 1849, in the wreck of the Brig St. John from Galway, Ireland". The marker features the seals of the A.O.H., clasped hands, harp, rising sun, ivy, and shamrocks, and the L.A.A.O.H. clasped hands, harp, ivy, and shamrocks.
In October 1849, the brig was carrying over 100 famine refugees from the Irish counties of Galway and Clare plus 16 crew members bound for Boston when a storm blew the vessel off course as it approached Massachusetts Bay. The ship anchored near Minot's Ledge outside Cohasset Harbor to ride out the storm, but the anchors failed to hold. The ship ran aground on a submerged ledge and broke into two pieces. Only 20 individuals survived. Sadly, Minot's Ledge Lighthouse, located one mile off the perilous rocky coastline, was finished in 1850, only three months after the wreck.
Writer Henry David Thoreau visited Cohasset after reading of the wreck in a Boston newspaper. He recounted the story of the St. John in his book, "Cape Cod." The Rev. Joseph Osgood of the Cohasset Unitarian Church initially performed services, but this was unacceptable to the Catholic Church. Summoned was Father John Roddan of St. Mary's Parish in West Quincy, who performed the Catholic funeral rites and the Eucharist. This was the first Catholic presence and burial in the Town of Cohasset. Though buried and memorialized in 1849, it was not until 1914 that a marker officially commemorated the gravesite.
For more information, read the article, "Wreck of the St. John ~ The tragic wreck of the Irish “famine ship” St. John."
