Was Aquila Webb Rev John Harper's Last Convert?

[Donald Kennedy]

Does anyone know the name of the man who was quoted as being John Harper's last convert, in the book,"The Titanic's Last Hero" by Moody Adams (The Olive Press, 1997)? One article states that at a Titanic survivors meeting in Ontario, Canada four years later, this man (a survivor) gave his testimony recounting how John Harper had led him to the Lord. The man's name was not mentioned.
The testimonies in the book were compiled in 1912 by John Climie of Scotland.


Thanks for your help,

Donald Kennedy

 

[Noleman]

Who was Aquila Webb?

Can anyone lend some insight to the person of Aquilla Webb, who claimed to be the last convert of Rev John Harper on the Titanic as it was sinking. It has been reported that Webb was converted while floating on debris from the stricken ship when John Harper neared him and asked him if he was saved. Webb replied, no. Harper floated away, but the waves brought him back to Webb who was converted at Harpers second enquiry.

 

[Bob Godfrey]

There were two crewmen on board who had the surname Webb. Neither was called Aquila and neither survived. There were no passengers with that name.

 

[Mark Baber]

But, but, but, but...Bob, it's on the internet! It must be true!!!

JOHN HARPER AND THE TITANIC A SOULWINNER TO THE LAST

Titanic - The Little Known Story of John Harper

;-)

 

[Bob Godfrey]

But Mark, it's not in Wikipedia so it can't be true!

>

 

[Mark Baber]

it's not in Wikipedia

Give me five minutes and it will be.

;-)

 

[richardquo]

Hi, really was George Henry Cavell (1889-1966) and was part of the crew, list not available on wikipedia. Thanks.

 

[Seumas]

Hi, really was George Henry Cavell (1889-1966) and was part of the crew, list not available on wikipedia. Thanks.

And just what proof exactly do you have of an interaction between Harper and Cavell ?

 

[Jason D. Tiller]

Hello and welcome to the ET forum,

Hi, really was George Henry Cavell (1889-1966) and was part of the crew, list not available on wikipedia. Thanks.

This has already been debunked - it's a complete myth. George Cavell and John Harper did not come into contact, with one another. Cavell was in boat #15; he could not have seen Harper. The supposed man was Steve Crain, but there is no such name on the passenger or crew lists. The only survivor that ever mentioned Harper during the sinking, was Miss Leitch.

If you wish to view the crew or passenger lists, you can do so here:

Titanic Crew List | Encyclopedia Titanica

Full list of Titanic Crew

www.encyclopedia-titanica.org

Titanic Passenger List | Encyclopedia Titanica

Complete Titanic passenger list

www.encyclopedia-titanica.org

 

[Kurt Glenie]

Who was Aquila Webb?

Can anyone lend some insight to the person of Aquilla Webb, who claimed to be the last convert of Rev John Harper on the Titanic as it was sinking. It has been reported that Webb was converted while floating on debris from the stricken ship when John Harper neared him and asked him if he was saved. Webb replied, no. Harper floated away, but the waves brought him back to Webb who was converted at Harpers second enquiry.

Aquilla Webb (c. 1871 – 1938) (sometimes spelt Aguilla) was ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1898. He was an American (not a Scott), and not on the Titanic. He was well-eulogised in the newspapers. Webb’s only connection to the story is that he included it in his book 1001 Illustrations for Pulpit and Platform in which the story of the last convert appears as entry 501. Convert—Dying Man’s.

“Rev. Webb Dies from Stroke,” The Morning News, July 2, 1938, p. 2, Jul 02, 1938, page 2 - The Morning News at The News Journal - The News Journal Archive

Aquilla Webb, 1001 Illustrations for Pulpit and Platform (New York: Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc., 1929), p. 180, 1001 illustrations for pulpit and platform : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

 

[Kurt Glenie]

Hello and welcome to the ET forum,


This has already been debunked - it's a complete myth. George Cavell and John Harper did not come into contact, with one another. Cavell was in boat #15; he could not have seen Harper. The supposed man was Steve Crain, but there is no such name on the passenger or crew lists. The only survivor that ever mentioned Harper during the sinking, was Miss Leitch.

If you wish to view the crew or passenger lists, you can do so here:

Titanic Crew List | Encyclopedia Titanica

Full list of Titanic Crew

www.encyclopedia-titanica.org

Titanic Passenger List | Encyclopedia Titanica

Complete Titanic passenger list

www.encyclopedia-titanica.org

Steve Crain is a blogger who bloged about the subject once, and people confussed him with his subject.

Larry Steve Crain, “Steve Crain: John Harper’s Last Convert,” Steve Crain (blog), June 5, 2009, John Harper's Last Convert