1869

Great Storm of November. - One of the most severe and destructive storms in history of lake navigation occurred in the month of September, 1869. Its especial violence was not felt at any parti- cular place, but with a fearful widespread gust it swept the chain of lakes, leaving in its pathway of destruction a number of wrecked craft of all descriptions. The large steamer and propeller escaped its violence no less than the small scow and schooner engaged in shore- trading; all were piled in a wrecked mass along the beach or sunk in the engulfing waves. There was scarcely a lake port that did not feel the effects of the storm, and scarcely a ship-owner of importance who did not suffer some loss of property.

The wind began to blow in a gale from the northwest on the evening of September 16(sic), accompanied by a blinding snow-storm at the Straits of Mackinac and other points. The storm spread rapidly, and continued to blow to the eastward and to the westward for four days. All craft upon the lakes sought shelter at once when the indications became so unfavorable for safe passage; but fortunate were they who were near a harbor. During the first hours of the storm several boats went ashore on Lake Michigan, some on Lake Erie and Lake Huron; and this number constantly increased until the shore lines were strewn with wreckage. Vessels of all descriptions to the number of 97 were stranded or foundered during the rough weather. Their aggregate tonnage was 27,026, valued at $1,267,800. The number of total losses was 35, aggregating 16,954 tons burden, with a valuation of $468,600. The list comprises one steamer, six propellers, one tug, eight barks, four brigs, 18 scows, three barges and 55 schooners. Of the total losses there were two propellers, two barks, four brigs, 19 schooners, six scows and two barges. Among those list was the bark Naomi, a fine vessel, Capt. James Carpenter, which was wrecked at Manistee, Lake Michigan, and, under the circumstances, was most distressing. Captain Carpenter had himself and wife lashed to the mizzen-gaff, and she breathed her last with her head resting on his shoulder. After saying to a member of the crew "Mother is dead," he rolled off and disappeared in the waves. He had been many years on the lakes, was a man of strict integrity, and had lived a Christian life. He was a resident of Painesville, Ohio.

The Odgensburg Daily Journal of December 3, 1869, contained the following paragraph: "On the night before Thanksgiving, a little daughter of L.W. Houghton, of this city, awoke the young woman sleeping with her, and demanded to have a lamp lighted, saying that she had seen her grandfather standing by the bedside. Mr. Houghton's wife is a daughter of Captain Disbrow, lost on the Volunteer. This incident, told to Mrs. Disbrow Thanksgiving morning, cast a gloom over her, from which she had not recovered, when the startling news of the loss of the Volunteer came to hand. This is certainly a remarkable incident."

Classified List of Vessels Lost in that Storm. - A classified list of steamers, propellers, schooners, brigs, barks, tugs, scows and barges lost on the lakes during the storm of November 16-19, is as follows:

Summary of Disasters During 1869. - During the navigation of 1869 no less than 138 vessels of every description passed out of existence, with an aggregate loss of 33,920 tons. There were commissioned during the season 67 new vessels, with an aggregate of 19,293 tons, thus showing a decrease for the year of 14,627 tons.

Decline of Side-wheel Steamers. - During the navigation of 1869 there were variously employed on the northern lakes 121 side-wheel steamers, 140 propellers, 247 tugs, 175 barks, 50 brigs, 904 schooners, and 223 scows, making a grand total of all craft employed 1,860. At this epoch of lake history, side-wheel steamers began to decline, the scow class having already gained the ascendancy, and there was no indications that a full-rigged ship had ever been on these waters, for they had long since disappeared and were almost entirely forgotten.

Other Events of 1869. - The barkentine Golden Fleece was converted into a three-masted schooner, as were also the Bridgewater and Sunrise. The number of vessel sales which took place amounted to about 335 as far as the records show. The propeller Saginaw, after 19 years' service, was converted into a tow barge at Detroit. The steamer Rothesay Castle, a former blockade runner, took her departure from Lake Ontario for ocean service. March: Vessels commenced plying on Lake Michigan, March 26, and between Detroit and Port Huron. 27, navigation opens at Cleveland by the clear- ance of the schooner Fannie L. Brooks. April: Barks Geo. Sherman and J.P. Marsh collide in the Straits. Schooner W.S. Lyons sunk at Malden. Schooner Mr. Vernon sunk at Keweenaw. Steamer Manitowoc damaged by collision with schooner Jefferson, near Chicago. Schooners L.C. Irwin and Sea Gem collide near Chicago. Canalboat Gen. McClellan sunk at Chicago. Bark Wm. T. Graves collides with the schooner Metropolis, damaging the latter. One hundred vessels took their departure from the Welland canal, April 30, bound for western ports. May: The propeller Dean Richmond, Capt. Ben. Wolvin, was the first boat to leave Buffalo; 1, propeller Dominion damaged by collision with the schooners E.W. Head and Bigelow, off Point Pelee. Bark H.P. Bridge lost on Lake Huron. Schooner Lucy J. Latham sunk at Chicago; raised May 19. Schooner Ringgold capsized near Michigan City. Steamer Grecian sunk at the heard of Long Sault rapids. Schooner Comet sunk near Charity island; raised and brought to Bay City. Schooner Columbia and bark Tanner collide in Buffalo, damaging the latter to the extent of $500. Schooner Spaulding damaged by collision in Saginaw bay. Severe storm on Lake Michigan May 14. Scow Storm sunk at Chicago. Bark City of Painesville collides with schooner Monterey at Thunder Bay island. Schooner Sarah sunk at Port Hope, raised. Propeller Tonawanda collides with propeller Equinox at Clay Banks. On May 25 the bark Etowah, Capt. W.F. Campbell, arrived at Cleveland from Liverpool with merchandise and June 17 sailed from Cleveland for Liverpool with a cargo of oil. June: Scow Hirondelle sunk near Kalamazoo. Schooner Zephyr sunk off Long Point. Schooner J.S. Wallace sunk at Holland, Michigan. Bark Garry Owen sunk off Geneva, Ohio. Schooner Bermuda damaged by collision with scow Seit. Steamer Lizzie May capsized by collision with a lumber craft. Schooners Sinai and Frank Perew collide near Grand Haven, resulting in serious damage. Schooner Tom Downey burned near Ogdensburg. Schooner Consuelo sunk at Toledo. Tug Armstrong sold by Barse & Co., of Bay City, for $2,500. Schooner Lady Moulton sunk on Lake Ontario by collision with bark Sir Edmund Head. Tug Asa Covell explodes her boilers in Cleveland. Schooner Reed Case, a new vessel, failed to pass through the Welland canal, having one inch too much beam, and was obliged to transfer her cargo. Propeller Arctic damaged by collision with the bark Sherman. Propeller Queen of the Lakes burned at Marquette. Tug Goodnow sunk by collision with the bark Sunnyside. Bark Nucleus sunk at Marquette. July: Schooners J.F. Card and Rosa collide at Black River. Tug Harrison sunk at Chicago. Schooner Lee damaged by lightning at Chicago. Scow Supply sunk off Port Washington. Tug F.A. Crawford sunk at Chicago. Propeller Nebraska collides with the tug Wilcox at Detroit. Schooners Whirlwind, Adirondack, Ellen Williams and Onward damaged by collision at Chicago. Schooner J.G. McCullough sunk near Bailey's Harbor by collision with bark Pensaukee. Propeller John Barber sunk at St. Joseph. Tugs Louis Dole and Evans collide at Chicago, sustaining injuries estimated at $400. Severe storm on Lake Erie July 10. Schooner Dolphin sunk and abandoned in the Straits of Mackinac. August: The bark Thumutis, Capt. Robert Dick, sailed from Cleveland for Liverpool with a cargo of oil. The iron side-wheel steamer Helen Brooks, arrived at Detroit from Baltimore, Md., en route to the Mississippi via Chicago. Steamer Lac La Belle sunk November 23, 1866, raised and brought to Detroit. Tug Robert Tarrant, barge East Saginaw, bark J.G. Masten, brig Lowell and schooner Catchpole damaged by collision a Chicago. Schooner L.E. Calvin sunk on Lake Ontario. Schooner Arab sustains injuries during a storm on Lake Michigan. Scow Selma and schooner Leo damaged by lightning. Tug J.E. Eagle burned near Bay City. Tug Dragon severely damaged by collision with the bark Ogarita at Buffalo. Steamer Silver Spray sunk by collision with the propeller Comet in the St. Clair river. Schooner Ellington sunk near Toledo by collision with a lumber raft. Scow William Tell burned at St. Joseph. Schooner Gov. Hunt lost on Lake Erie. September: The propeller Boscobel burned on the St. Clair river with the loss of three lives. The steam barge S. Clement dismantled of her machinery at Detroit and made a tow barge. The screw steamer Washington left the lakes for the ocean, where she had formerly plied. Schooner Commencement lost on Lake Michigan. Bark Nucleus sunk at Whitefish Point, Lake Superior. Schooner Golden Rule sunk at Cleveland. Steam barge Prindeville sunk at Bay City. Severe storm on Lake Erie September 8. Propeller Young America and schooner Theodore Percy collide in Welland canal. Schooner Jaspon sunk in Cleveland harbor by collision with a lumber barge. Propeller Elmira and schooner E. Kanter collide at Buffalo. Schooner Echo capsized off Charlotte. Schooner J.L. Gross sunk in Sault Ste. Marie river. October: Tug Traffic burned at Saginaw. Schooner Son & Heir total loss at Georgian Bay. Schooner Norway sunk at Sheboygan. Schooner Raleigh total loss at Portage bay. Schooner Titan a total wreck at Pentwater, Mich. Bark Water Witch sunk at Timber island. Barge Three Bells lost on Lake Michigan. Schooner Zephyr capsized near St. Joseph. Bark Favorite and schooner John Weeden collide near Sheboygan. Scow Ferris a total wreck on Lake Michigan. Schooner Sea Gull wrecked at Grand Haven. Scow Falcon total wreck on Lake Erie. Tug Preston Brearley sunk on Lake Michigan by collision with steamer Sheboygan. Propellers Hunter and Comet sunk by collision. Bark Forest King totally wrecked on Georgian Bay. Steamer Omar Pasha burned at Muskegon. Schooner Kate Buley capsized off Point au Sable. Tug Witch sunk at Saginaw. Schooner Comely sunk at Point Albino. Bark City of Milwaukee and bark C.K. Nims collide near Point Albino. November: Schooner Melvina wrecked on White shoal. Schooner Alfred Allen goes to pieces on Mohawk reef. Tug Kate Gerlach burned on Lake Erie. Schooner Eliza White sunk off Port Dover. Schooners White Oak and Magdalia collide on Lake Ontario. Schooner Emma lost near Blue Point. Live Yankee wrecked at High island. Steamer Excelsior burned at Portsmouth. Schooner Nora sunk near Sheboygan by collision with the schooner Sweepstakes. Sloop Eureka wrecked at Au Sable. Schooner Alfred Allen abandoned at Mohawk island. Barge Illinois sunk near Lakeport. Brig Wm. Fisk went to pieces at Devil river. Propeller Wenona collides with the schooner Fremont, resulting in sinking the latter. Bark Naomi wrecked near Manistee. Schooner Jessie McDonald sunk at Consecon, Ontario. The barque Wirralite arrived at Cleveland from Liverpool with a cargo of merchandise. December: Steam barge M. Groh wrecked in Sandy bay.

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Volume II

Some of the transcription work was also done by Brendon Baillod, who maintains an excellent guide to Great Lakes Shipwreck Research.