Charles Henry Allen was born in Salem, Massachusetts, on 26 March 1830, the son of William E. and Sarah H. (Wright) Allen. William Allen was a shipmaster, who died in Africa in 1838. Charles Allen first shipped out at the age of 15 on the Ship St. Paul, commanded by his uncle, also named Charles Henry Allen, on a voyage to Manila and back to Salem. Allen continued voyaging on a number of different ships, although in 1850-51, he stayed for a period of time in California, where he spent time in the gold mines. A companion of his during this period was the Salem adventurer, Frederick Townsend Ward.

In June 1861, Allen took command of the ship Sooloo. He commanded several other ships during the 1860s and 1870s, but returned to the Sooloo in 1876 and captained her until his retirement in 1884.

Allen married Margaret McKenzie of Salem on 10 October 1856. Allen died at his home in Salem on 5 December 1910. He was survived by his wife and four children: Charles F. Allen, Mrs. Frederick G. Pousland, Mary F. Allen, and Lillian H. Allen.

Historical Note on the Ships Involved

The ship Formosa was designed and built at East Boston by the firm of John Taylor and was launched on 20 November 1868, 1252 tons. She made at least eight voyages and was wrecked off Java in 1880.

The ship Mindoro was designed and built at East Boston by John Taylor, and was launched on 6 November 1864, 845 tons. She made 14 voyages between 1864 and 1883. Ultimately the Mindoro was towed to Salem and lay idle alongside Derby Wharf for several years until she was converted to a coal barge.

The ship Panay was designed and built at East Boston by Justin Taylor, the eldest son of John Taylor, who succeeded his father in the firm. The Panay was launched on 25 June 1877, 1190 tons. She made at least ten voyages and was lost on 14 July 1890, on Simara Island, the Philippines, after going aground on 12 July 1890.

The ship Sooloo II was designed and built at East Boston by John Taylor, and launched on 1 May 1861, 784 tons. She made 19 voyages between 1861 and 1887/8, when she was sold to the Boston Tow Boat Company and converted to a coal barge. Sooloo II foundered and was lost on 15 November 1892.

The ships above were owned by the Salem merchant firm of Stone, Silsbee & Pickman (later Silsbee, Pickman & Allen - the firm changed its name in 1863). The reader is referred to the extensive manuscript collection of Stone, Silsbee & Pickman (MSS #63), to which this material is ancillary.