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    VESSEL NAME:   W. C. Richardson
    OTHER NAMES:   -
    OFFICIAL NO:   81816
    DATE OF LOSS:  8 December 1909
    CAUSE OF LOSS: Stranded
    LOCATION:      Lake Erie, Waverly Shoal
    RIG TYPE:      Propeller
    HULL TYPE:     Steel
    BUILDER:       American Shipbuilding Co., Cleveland, OH
    OWNER(S):      W. C. Richardson, Cleveland, OH
    MASTER:        Capt. E. J. Burke
    TONNAGE:       3,818 gt, 2,841 nt
    DIMENSIONS:    354 x 48 x 28
    CASUALTIES:    5 of 19

                     FREIGHTER SINKS, 5 DROWN
                        ------------------
               W.C. RICHARDSON GOES DOWN IN LAKE ERIE
                     FIVE MILES OUT OF BUFFALO
                     
                          --------------
                          
                    Buffalo, N.Y., Dec. 9 - The W.C.
                  Richardson, a big steel freighter,
                  sank early today at a point five
                  miles up the lake from Buffalo
                  harbor and five members of the
                  crew went down with the ship.
                  The remainder of the crew of
                  fourteen were rescued by the
                  Steamer William Pain which, with
                  the Richardson had anchored off
                  Waverly Shoal early in the night,
                  fearing to enter the harbor
                  because of the storm.  The sea
                  was high and early today the
                  Richardson shifted her cargo and
                  listed, the water rushing into her
                  before she could be righted.  She
                  now lies in about twenty feet of
                  water with her bow in the air.
                  Those lost were Chief Engineer
                  Maryberry, of Cleveland, the
                  second mate and three deck
                  hands.  Captain E. J. Burke of
                  Detroit, in command of the
                  Richardson, is with the rescued
                  aboard the William Pain.
                    The W. C. Richardson is a
                  propeller boat of 3,818 tons,
                  built in 1902 and owned by W.C.
                  Richardson of Cleveland.  She
                  carried a cargo of 200,000
                  bushels of flax consigned here
                  for winter storage.  It is insured
                  for $385,000.  The steamer is
                  insured for $200,000.
                  
                  New York Times, New York, N.Y.
                  December 10, 1902
                  ---------------------------------
                  
      In "Shipwrecks of the Lakes" there is no mention of the
      W. C. Richardson being anchored.  In fact, it states that
      "struck hard upon the hidden rocks." afterwhich her cargo
      of flaxseed shifted causing the boat to list.  Five members
      of the crew decided to try to make their way to safety in
      a lifeboat and were lost.
      
      Captain Detlefs, of the William A. PAINE waited until day-
      light to make a rescue attempt.  Through the still raging
      storm he maneuvered the Paine until its bow touched the
      Richardson and, one at a time, the crew of the Richardson
      was pulled aboard. 


 ========================================================================
Sources: "Shipwrecks of the Lakes" Dana Thomas Bowen, 1952
         New York Times, New York, N.Y. - December 10, 1909
         Buffalo Evening News, 9 December 1909