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Submitted by Linda Talbott
for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
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Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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    VESSEL NAME:   George Washington
    OTHER NAME(s): seen sometimes only as Washington
    OFFICIAL NO:   --
    REASON:        Fire
    DATE OF LOSS:  15 June 1838
    LOCATION:      Lake Erie, off Silver Creek
    RIG TYPE:      Sidewheel steamer
    HULL TYPE:     Wooden
    BUILDER:       1838 at Ashtabula, Ohio
    OWNER(S):      Henry Hubbard, Ashtabula & M. Kingman, Buffalo.
    MASTER:        Capt. Nathaniel W. Brown
    TONNAGE:       380 t.
    LENGTH:        --
    BEAM:          --
    DEPTH:         --
    CASUALTIES:    30 - 60 (sources vary)
    SURVIVORS:     about 40-50 (sources vary)

             Bound Detroit to Buffalo on the return leg of her maiden
         voyage, the GEORGE WASHINGTON stopped at Cleveland to board more
         passengers, leaving that place at 8 a.m. on June 14.  The lake
         was calm and the weather clear when, at about 2 a.m., in the
         vicinity of Silver Creek, fire was discovered near the boilers
         which advanced at such a rapid rate that it could not be con-
         tained.  She was immediately headed for the shore but, after
         stopping to lower the yawl, became unmanageable when the wheel
         ropes were burnt off.  The burned wreck was towed into Silver
         Creek where she was scuttled and sunk at the wharf.
             Accounts vary as to how many lives were lost but place the
         number between 30-60.  About 40 survivors were picked up by the
         NORTH AMERICA, Capt. J. L. Edmonds,  which rushed to scene when
         her helmsman spotted the bright glare of light in the direction
         of Silver Creek.  Forty-five survivors were transported to Buffalo
         aboard the NORTH AMERICAN.
             The engine of the GEORGE WASHINGTON was later recovered.


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Sources: "History of St. Clair County, Michigan," Andreas, 1883.
          Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, 16, 30 June 1838