Horrible Endings Can Lead To Comebacks

Horatio Spafford was a lawyer and invested greatly into Chicago real estate in 1870.

However, the Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed all of his investments.

In 1873, his wife and four daughters made the transatlantic voyage to Paris. The ship Ville du Havre was built for operating round trips to France and New York City. However, Horatio was unable to make the trip.

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At 2 a.m. on November 15th, the Ville Du Havre was struck by another ship and sank in just 12 minutes. Two hundred and twenty-six souls perished. Anna Spafford survived while found unconscious, however all four young daughters drowned.

Horatio Spafford received a telegram from his wife 9 days later which read “Saved alone… What shall I do…”

Horatio Spafford immediately left to bring his wife home. When the ship passed where his daughters drowned, he retreated to his cabin.

Horatio Spafford penned the words to the iconic song It is Well With My Soul.