Harry Ward
Harry Ward was a first-class passenger on the Valencia headed for Seattle, then to Eagle Harbor to visit his mother. Harry Ward was 17 years old and lived in San Francisco with his father, Captain Daniel Ward, a prominent, retired, sea captain. There was some confusion on the identity of Harry Ward as he was initially reported as Harry R. Ward of San Francisco. Harry R. Ward contacted The San Francisco Call newspaper to let them know that, “he is well and busy”. In Victoria, the Daily Colonist on January 25th reported another incorrect Harry Ward, this one from Nelson, BC. “Mr. Harry Ward, who was one of the best known accountants in Kootenay”. They reported that he is from a well-known and highly respected family, and to add to the tragedy, just a year ago he lost his father. The article quite irresponsibly listed this incorrect Harry Ward’s two brothers and sister-in-law and, “It is not known whether any of these are among the rescued”. The Daily Colonist didn’t just report one person dead, but possibly four people that were not even on the Valencia. They corrected their mistake in the following days paper and reported that, “Mr. Ward was at Fernie a week ago”.