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Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== MARINE DISASTERS on the WESTERN LAKES during the NAVIGATION OF 1871 with the LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY, VESSELS BOUGHT AND SOLD, NEW VESSELS AND THEIR TONNAGE; ALSO, THOSE WHICH HAVE PASSED OUT OF EXISTENCE, WITH A SKETCH OF EARLY MARINE HISTORY, AND VESSELS LAID UP AT VARIOUS PORTS. --------------------------- Carefully compiled by CAPT. J. W. HALL, Marine Reporter at Detroit. --------------------------- DETROIT: Free Press and Job Printing Establishment. 1872 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -76- EARLY LAKE NAVIGATORS ----------------------- Our brief narrative of marine events would by no means be complete without at least a passing notice of the lake navigators of earlier times, many if not nearly all now gone to their final rest. We much regret our inability to present this portion of the work in complete detail, but owing to the incompleteness of the records of the lake events in the past, we must content ourselves by giving an abstract, and in so doing we have been favored with very important information from Capt. L. H. Cotton, one of the oldest steamboat commanders now living, and to whom we return our sincere thanks. The steamboat men of the earlier times are at present limited to a comparative few, and of those now living, Capts. WILLIAM T. PEASE, now a resident of Buffalo; L. H. COTTON, of Detroit; DAVID WILKESON, of Perrysburg, and HARRY WHITTAKER, of Buffalo, are the oldest on record. The command of the first steamer, the Walk-in-the-Water, devolved on Capt. JOB FISH, an imported man from the East, whose knowledge of lake navigation did not extend very far, and who resigned his post on en- countering the first gale, which occurred on his third or fourth trip, and delivered over the safe management of the vessel to JOHN DAVIS, his mate, before reaching port. JEDEDIAH ROGERS subsequently commanded the Walk-in-the-Water, and up to the close of her career. The Superior, being the second steamer on the lakes, was placed in command of Capt. ROGER SHERMAN, who, although imported, as was the case of FISH, proved himself equal to the position, and continued as master of the same boat two or more seasons, when he returned from whence he came. Capt. W. T. PEASE, who comes next on the list, commanded respectively the Niagara 1st, Pioneer, Superior, Niagara 2d, and others at a later period, in- cluding the Boston. He was also at one time master of the schooner Michigan, which subsequently was sent over Niagara Falls. He was living and a resident of Buffalo in 1871. Capt. L. H. COTTON commanded the first steamer that ever towed a vessel up the Fort Erie Rapids, the steamer being the Monroe, and the vessel the ship Milwaukee. Capt. C., also, during a very lengthy and popular career, was master of the steamers Ohio 1st, Pennsylvania, D. Webster, Oregon, Baltic, Anthony Wayne, and latterly the mammoth steamer Western World. At an early period in his life, in 1835, he fitted out the brig Queen Charlotte, which during the war of 1812, was captured from the British, and for many years lay sunk at Erie, Penn. Capt. DAVID --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -77- EARLY LAKE NAVIGATORS WILKESON, who in 1871 was living retired at his old home in Perrysburg, commenced (as did those previously named, except SHERMAN and FISH) his career in command of sail vessels. He commanded the schooners Eagle and Guerriere, his first steamer being the Commodore Perry, of whom he re- mained master until the close of her career, when himself and others caused to be built the Superior 2d, which he commanded for several years. Capt. C. L. GAGER is also among the early lake men, and was with Capt. LEVI ALLEN, JAMES HARRINGTON, LORING PIERCE, and JOHN KIMBERLY on the Walk-in-the-Water as a seaman, comprising her crew. He was absent from the lakes for several years, and on his return bought the steamer Red Jacket and sailed her, then the Gen. Porter, which he converted into a propeller, and afterward the Albany. Capt. WALTER NORTON, many years deceased at Buffalo, was among the early pioneers, and first commanded sail vessels, among which was the schooner Michigan, already alluded to. He sailed the steamers Henry Clay, Gen. Porter and Michigan. Capt. GEORGE MILES sailed vessels for several years, among others the Erie, which, during a fearful gale, got dismasted on Lake Erie and came near being lost with all hands. He afterward sailed the steamboat Enter- prise, somewhere in the years 1834-35, and died several years since at Erie. Capt. JOHN F. WIGHT commanded the William Penn, and subsequently the Chicago. He died some years since at Erie. Capt. HARRY WHITTAKER was not only prominent as a steamboat navigator, but also as a builder of steamboats, and through the intrigues of others has had his fortune wrecked on more than one occasion. At an early day, he sailed the schooner Marie Antoinette, then the steamers North America, Monroe, United States and A. D. Patchin. What was never previously nor since achieved, he navigated with the steamer United States throughout the winter of 1845, between Buffalo and Detroit. He is yet a resident at Buffalo, N.Y. Capt. MORRIS TYLER was also a vessel man at the first, and in 1831-2 sailed the schooner Cincinnati, and others previous to that time. He also commanded the steamers Ohio 1st, Dan. Webster and James Allen. He last sailed the brig Columbia, which he owned and built. He died at his residence in Lower Sandusky somewhere about the year 1845. Capt. JOHN FLEEHARTY commanded vessels at first, then steamers Wm. Peacock and Pennsylvania, and on his retirement went into the forwarding business at Huron, Ohio, and subsequently at Buffalo, where he died a few years since. Capt. CHESLEY BLAKE died at Milwaukee, with cholera, in 1849. He commanded the schooners Hannah, Napoleon and others; also, steamers Niagara, Michigan and Illinois. Capt. AUGUSTUS WALKER was probably one of the most prominent navigators in aiding and furthering steamboat interests that ever sailed the lakes. He built the steamers Sheldon Thompson, Washington 1st, Columbus and Great Western, and first commanded the steamer United States, and subsequently the others herein named. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -78- EARLY LAKE NAVIGATORS The Western was the first steamer on the lakes provided with upper cabins. Capt. W. died at Buffalo, in 1865, aged 65. Capt. LEVI ALLEN, one of the most popular lake men throughout his sailing career, com- manded respectively the steamers United States, Superior, Pennsylvania, Buffalo and Niagara 2d. He still resides at Buffalo N.Y. Captain ARCHIBALD ALLEN died several years since, at Black Rock, N.Y. Among other craft he commanded during his time were the steamers Michigan and Nile. Capt. SIMEON FOX will be remembered by many acquainted with early lake events. He served on board sail craft the greater part of his time, and at one period sailed the schooner Amaranth. He also commanded the steamboats Charles Townsend and Chautauque, the latter when plying between Buffalo and Barcelona. He died at Buffalo, N.Y, many years since. Capt. PETER SHAINHOLDTS served as first officer on the steamboat Superior, along with Pease, and in the same capacity for several years on different boats. He commanded the steamer Cincinatti, between Buf- falo and Chippewa, for a time, and the Charles Townsend between Buffalo and Detroit. He died at Buffalo, somewhere in 1847 or '48. Capt. THOMAS WILKINS was a man unsurpassed in popularity by any who ever came before or after him. In connection with his duties, he always main- tained the strictest sobriety in the performance of the same. He was the popular commander of the steamers Wm. Peacock, Thos. Jefferson and Missouri, and after retiring from the lakes, served faithfully for several years, and up to the date of his decease, as Collector of Cus- toms at Erie, Pa. He died in 1870. Capt. SAM. CHASE, long since dead, commanded in his day the steamers Ohio 1st, also the Gov. Marcy and the Monroe. Capt. CHARLES BURNETT (familiarly known as BUCK BURNETT) com- manded the steamers Ohio 1st and the New England. He also in earlier times commanded vessels. After his retirement from the lakes he was appointed Harbor Master at Buffalo, and proved an excellent officer. He died like most all sailors, very poor. Capt. JAMES LUNDY commenced his career on board sail vessels, and, among others, we remember his con- nection with the schooners Detroit, Maria and others; also, steamers Pennsylvania, Cleveland 1st, Uncle Sam, Constellation, Rochester, Baltic, City of Cleveland, and others we do not call to mind. He was a man of strict habits and always popular. BOB WAGSTAFF, as he was familiarly called, will not soon be forgotten by many. He commanded the first and finest ship ever on the lakes, the Julia Palmer, in 1836. He was also a steamboat man for many years of his life, and not long since died in New York. Capt. CHARLES C. STANNARD commanded the brig Ramsay Crooks, on Lake Superior, also the steamboats Niagara, Bunker Hill, and Saratoga, and died at "the bells," on board the Western World, on leav- ing the dock at Detroit, in 1856. Capt. A. E. HART commanded steamers United States, Cleveland 1st, propellers Oregon and Edith. Previous to steamboating he sailed the schooner Buffalo and others. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -79- EARLY LAKE NAVIGATORS He still resides at Buffalo. His brother, Capt. ROBERT HART, deceased at Buffalo, sailed at an early day the sloop Wm. Tell and other vessels, also steamer ROBERT FULTON and propeller Paugassett. The steamer Chip- pewa, built at Buffalo, without frames, with the shape or model of a muskmelon, was sailed by Capt. BENJAMIN ARMSTRONG, who also commanded the schooners Sterling and Brittania, besides other craft. Capt. G. APPLEBY sailed the schooner New Connecticut, which capsized in Lake Erie, and three days afterward a woman was rescued from the cabin alive, which was conceded one of the most remarkable events of the times. He also commanded the steamers North America, Constitution, Ben. Franklin and Sultana. He died at Buffalo, in 1867. Capt. THOMAS J. TITUS com- menced his career on sail vessels, commanding the schooners Aurora, United States and others. He also sailed the steamers Ohio 1st, San- dusky, Erie, Buffalo, Queen City and Julia Palmer. His last command was that of the propeller Monticello, and while on Lake Michigan was drowned from the small boat while attempting to land on shore. Capt. H. VanALLEN was deservedly one of the most popular men navigating the lakes, in which the qualities of the sailor and gentleman were combined. His sailing career began on the Canada side, and we remember him on board the steamers Thames, Kent, Emerald, London, Canada and Clifton; also, on the American side, on board the Mayflower and Empire State, two of the finest steamers that ever floated. Since his retirement from the lakes his home is at Mackinaw. The steamer Thames was also at one time commanded by Capt. G. R. WILLIAMS, plying between Buffalo and Port Stanley, C.W. Capt. S. F. ATWOOD ranks also among the first navigators on the lakes widely and favorably known. Besides sail vessels, he commanded at different periods the steamers Macomb, Monroe, Gen. Harri- son, Troy, Arrow, T. Whitney, Parsons, and others we do not at present call to mind. He is yet in excellent health, enjoying life at his island home on Lake Erie, at North Bass, where he is extensively engaged in the culture of grapes. If we have omitted already, we did not in- tend to, the name of Capt. J. L. EDMONDS, who commanded for several years vessels and steamers. Of the latter we mention the North America, Chicago and Southerner. While in command of the latter, and after leaving Buffalo on her second trip of the season, in March, 1850, he was taken suddenly ill, causing the immediate return of the steamer to port, where he died on entering the harbor. Capt. AARON ROOT sailed the schooner Amaranth, steamers Contellation in 1836, Bunker Hill in 1837 and subsequently the propeller Henry Clay. He died at Black River, O. Capt. JOEL H. McQUEEN commanded the steamer Constellation in 1837 - afterwards the Sam. Ward and other boats we do not now remember. He also at one time commanded the schooner White Pigeon. Capt. JOHN SHOOK sailed the schooner Cincinnati, besides other vessels, at an early period, also steamers United States and Columbus. He died at Huron, O., --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -80- EARLY LAKE NAVIGATORS some years since. His brother, Capt. JIM SHOOK, sailed the fine clipper brig Illinois in 1835, of the Eagle Line, when it was fashionable to have the pea jacket ornamented with the spread eagle. He also at one time commanded the propeller Sciota, besides several sail craft. He died at Huron, O., a few years since. Capt. CLIFF BELDEN died at Cleve- land in August, 1858. He commenced early on the lakes, on board of sail vessels, and one time commanded the steamboat Star. Capt. A. H. SQUIER sailed vessels for several years, among others the schooner Laquire, steamers DeWitt Clinton, Garden City and others. He is a resident of Buffalo, N.Y. Capt. AMOS PRATT, long a prominent lake navigator, will be recollected as master of the steamer Anthony Wayne, or Mad Anthony, as she was at first called. He commanded one of the finest propellers on the lakes, the Samson, in 1843, afterwards the Princeton and Globe. He was a popular seaman and gentleman. His death occurred but a year or two since. Capt. Wm. DICKSON died at Buffalo in 1865, aged 65. He was reared on the waters, and commenced life as a ferryman between Black Rock and Fort Erie. After several years' experience on the lakes, he commanded the schooners Sterling, Merchant, Michigan 2d, ship Milwaukee, brig Robert Hunter, propellers Hunter and Illinois. Capt. J. T. PHEATT died at Toledo in 1859. He came from the lower lake, and our first recollection of him is when in command of the schooner Grant. While on the upper lakes he commanded the steamer Gen. Harrison, in 1840 (log cabin times), the steamer Indiana, in 1842, the Northern Indiana and Western Metropolis. At the time of his decease he was managing a ferry at Toledo. Capt. JOHN STEWART sailed, for the late OLIVER NEWBERRY, several vessels, commencing at an early period - the schooners Marengo, LaSalle, brig Manhattan and others. Previous to his decease, which took place on the River St. Clair, he commanded the steamers Michigan and Northerner. He was universally liked. We also pay a passing tribute to the memory of other lake pioneers, among whom were Capt. SAM. VARY, who died at Sheboygan a few years since; "OULD NED BURKE," as he was widely known; JERRY OLIVER, who commanded the steamer New England, besides sail vessels at other periods; Capts. PAINE MANN, JOE SHERWOOD, JOHN KLINE, also Capt. JOHN W. WEBSTER, who, with Capt. JAMES HACKETT, light-keeper at the mouth of Detroit river, are the two oldest vessel masters at present living. Capt. W. resides at Painesville, O. Capt. W. P. STONE, once of the steamer Keystone State, and favorably known, died a few years since, at a hotel in New York City. Capt. THOMAS RICHARDS died while in command of the steamer Niagara, at Milwaukee, in 1849. Capt. G. W. FLOYD came from the seaboard, and sailed the brig Indiana, in 1837, in 1839 the steamer Sandusky, and in 1843 the propeller Hercules, after which he returned to salt water. He died in California. Capt. GEORGE E. WILLOUGHBY died at Quebec a few years since. He commanded respectively the Emerald, London, --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -81- EARLY LAKE NAVIGATORS Canada, Ocean, Mayflower and Plymouth Rock, and was popular. Capt. C. H. LUDLOW sailed vessels, and in 1849 commanded the steamboat Baltic. He also sailed the propeller Globe, subsequently the propeller New York. He died some four years since. Capt. JACOB IMSON, formerly of the Hendrick Hudson, Diamond, Buckeye State and propeller St. Joseph, is farming in Michigan. Capt. S. CLEMENT is in business at Chicago. He in 1839 sailed the schooner Philadelphia, and at other periods different vessels, besides the Atlantic and others of Ward's steamers. Capt. E. B. WARD was also at an early date a vessel man, sailing, among others, the schooner Gen. Harrison. The first steamboat he commanded was the Huron, in 1840. Subsequent events are too familiar for repetition here. Capt. L. B. GOLDSMITH is still navigating the lakes, and latterly in command of the steamer Jay Cooke. He commenced early and promises to stay late. Capt. FRED S. WHEELER commanded the propeller Hercules and steamboat St. Louis, and has been dead for several years. Capt. FRED S. MILLER still navigates, and has been tossed about from an early date. There are those who will also remember Capt. R. C. BRISTOL, who sailed vessels; also the steamers James Madison and Niagara 2d. His death took place not long since. Capt. D. P. NICKERSON came from the seaboard, and has filled numerous important positions both on the salt and fresh waters. We remember the Captain on board the steamers Eclipse, Bunker Hill, Ohio 2d, Saratoga, and others we do not call to mind. He resides at Cleveland, hale and hearty. Capt. MORRIS HAZARD came from the east, having an experience on the rivers, if we are correctly informed. He brought out the steamer Milwaukee, at Buffalo, in 1838, and afterwards commanded the Constellation, Empire State, and also sailed the Monroe. In nearly all of these steamers he held more or less interest. He died at his residence in Buffalo, in 1869. Capt. D. H. McBRIDE died at Milwaukee, in March, 1871, after a lengthy sojourn on the lakes. He had large experience on both sail and steam craft. The schooner Havre was the last vessel he commanded, in 1842, and the propeller Ironsides the last steamer. He was second mate of the steamer Erie, which was burned on Lake Erie, in 1841, and narrowly escaped being counted among the lost. Capt. Wm. HINTON, for several years past pilot on the U.S. steamer MICHIGAN, was first officer of the Erie when she burned, and also met with a narrow escape. He has served long and faithfully on board steamers, and commanded the Daniel Webster after she was changed to the Black Dan, and knows all about it. Capt. JAMES M. AVERILL, an old lake man, commanded the steamer Erie (the little) in '40 or '41, and subsequently sail vessels - the Barton and others. Previous to this period the Captain was several years at sea. He resides at Buffalo, retired and contented. Capt. HEBER SQUIER resides at Grand Haven. He has been connected with the steamers St. Louis, Empire, City of Cleve- land, propeller Oriental, and others we do not at --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -82- EARLY LAKE NAVIGATORS present remember, with all of which he leaves a bright record. Capt. JACOB TRAVERS commanded the steamer Golden Gate, besides several sail craft; Capt. BENJAMIN A. STANNARD, numerous sail craft; but both have long since retired to a quiet life. Capt. JOHN CALDWELL, who died at Cleveland in 1864, commanded, in 1836, '37 and '38 the schooner Hudson, afterwards the Henry Crevolin and Trenton. Subsequently for several years he commanded steamers to Lake Superior, and in the Northern Transportation Line. He was universally respected. Capt. B. G. SWEET resides at Toledo, and dates his lake career back to 1831, sailing the schooner N. C. Baldwin in 1837-8, and took to steamboats somewhere about 1845, commanding the propeller Phoenix in 1846, burned on Lake Michigan in November of that year. He also sailed the Northerner, North Star, propeller Iron City and others. He retired some three years since. Capt. D. HOWE, at one time quite prominent on the lakes, was a lower lake man, and sailed at one time the schooner Saratoga. In 1837 we find him in command of the steamer New York, which craft was bedecked with four pipes. In 1840, Capt. HOWE was in command of the Chesapeake, and in 1844-5 the Empire, at that date the mammoth of the lakes. He also sailed the steamer America and others. He went to Vermont and there died, some six or eight years since. Capt. J. C. BENJAMIN died at Prairieville, Mich., in 1864. He sailed the steamboat Ben. Franklin in 1849, and previously sail vessels out of Cleveland. In crossing the line, we add to those already given of Canadian Captains, McINTOSH, DOBSON, PETER MELISH, of schooners Lagrange, Wellington and Perseverance; Capt. JOHN YOUNG, of the schooner Hope and others; Capt. E. H. MALLOY, of the steamer Adelaide and other craft - all now de- ceased. The present Captains on the lakes we hope at some future time to take in consideration, in order that in future the record may be kept up. ===========================================================================