John Sparrell

John Randolph Sparrell was born on June 26, 1899 in Groton, Massachusetts, the son of Alfred T. and Jennie E. (Woodruff) Sparrell.

He was working as a bank clerk at the age of 19 for the Commonwealth Trust Company in Boston. His draft record in 1917 stated that he was of medium height with a slender build, and had brown eyes and black hair.

John Sparrell spent most of his adult life as a merchant seaman. During the 1940's (including during WWII) he sailed on the ships, "President Harding", "John D. Archbold", "Harrison Smith", "E.G. Seubert", "Thomas H. Wheeler", and several tankers belonging to the Esso Petroleum Company- the "Esso Baltimore", "Esso New Haven" and "Esso Pittsburgh". He crewed on the "Aquitania" during the post-WWII period when it was ferrying war brides and their children between England and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Sparrell traveled the world, docking at such far-flung ports as Aruba, Glasgow, Curacao, Swansea, La Cruz. . . and always eventually returning to New York.

John Sparrell died August 10, 1981, at the age of 82, and is buried on Hart Island.

Sources: Social Security Death Index; WWI Draft Registration Cards 1917-1918; New York Passenger Lists 1820-1957; U.S. Border Crossings from Canada to U.S. 1895-1956; Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records 1620-1988; and www.norwayheritage.com for information and illustration relating to the Aquitania.