1827.

Trip to Green Bay. -- The steamer Henry Clay made a trip to Green Bay in June, 1827, and was the third steamer to visit Lake Michigan waters. On her return voyage she had as passengers Generals Scott and Brady, with other U. S. officials. In that year the line of boats plying between Detroit and Buffalo was increased by the Niagara, of 180 tons, built at Black Rock and sailed by Capt. W. Pease, and in the arrangements thus completed there was one to leave either port on alternate days.

Over the Falls. -- In 1827 the schooner Michigan, having been condemned as unseaworthy, was sent over Niagara Falls. The event was announced in sensational handbills, which proclaimed that "the pirate ship, Michigan, with a cargo of furious animals, will pass over the Falls of Niagara on the 8th of September, 1827." Entertainment was promised for all who might visit the Falls on that occasion, which would "for its novelty and the remarkable spectacle which it will present, be unequaled in the annals of infernal navigation." The Michigan was 136 tons burden. The event was witnessed by several thousand people.

Other Events of 1827. -- February 23: Lake Erie free from ice at Cleveland. April 19: Navigation opened at Buffalo by the schooner Marie Antoinette, in command of Captain Whittaker. May 2: Congress appropriates $4,000 for a foundation to a lighthouse at Buffalo; 18, Congress appropriates $33,348 for the construction of two piers at the north of Oswego harbor; 8, schooner Young Lion, 50 tons burden, launched at Black Rock. Owned by Norton & Bliss and Captain Burnett, and built for the Canada lumber trade. June 22: British schooner Surprise wrecked on Lake Erie. Schooner Nucleus ashore at Sandusky. Steamboat Ontario ashore at Oswego. August 10: Steamer William Penn, bound for Buffalo, damaged on Lake Erie, by breaking of her machinery. September 8: Schooner Michigan, 136 tons, sent over Niagara Falls, and witnessed by several thousand people. October 3: Steamboat Pioneer disabled near Buffalo. November 6: Schooner America, loaded with salt, ashore at Long Point. Steamboat Superior aground at Sandusky bay: released November 3; 5, schooner Ann wrecked at Long Point; several lives lost. Schooner Young Farmer ashore at Long Point; greater part of cargo lost; 17, schooner Columbus, in command of Captain Naper, bound for Ashtabula, ashore, while attempting to enter Dunkirk harbor. December 31: Nine hundred and seventy-two arrivals and departures at Buffalo during the season.

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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.