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Submitted by Linda Talbott
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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    VESSEL NAME:   Wisconsin
    OTHER NAME(s): -
    OFFICIAL NO:   -
    DATE OF LOSS:  21 May 1867
    REASON:        Fire
    LOCATION:      Lake Ontario, grounded on Grenidier Island
    RIG TYPE:      Prop.
    HULL TYPE:     Wood
    BUILDER:       Stevens & Presley, Cleveland, OH., 1852
    OWNER(S):      Northern Transportation Company
    MASTER:        Capt. Townsend
    TONNAGE:       352 t.
    DIMENSIONS:    137 x 25 x 11
    CASUALTIES:    accounts vary, minimum of 19 & possibly upwards of 30.
    SURVIVORS:     ?

             Departed Ogdensburg, N.Y., at 11 p.m. for Toledo.  Fire was
          discovered near the boiler when about two miles from shore near
          Grenidier Island.  Capt. Townsend ordered the boats to be gotten
          ready and lowered near the water, but not into it.  Then came the
          order to throw open the throttle as he pointed the WISCONSIN for
          Grenidier Island.  The passengers were awakened and cautioned to
          remain calm.  The order was that no one should enter the boats
          unless instructed to do so.  The panic striken passengers, along
          with the first mate and two engineers, ignored the order and
          crowded into one of the boats.  The bow line was cut and, with
          the WISCONSIN running at full speed, the bow of the boat was
          plunged into the water with its stern line still fast.  Every
          person who sought refuge from the fire in the waiting boat was
          flung into the cold, dark water to meet their doom.  Within
          twenty minutes of the alarm being given the bow of the WISCONSIN
          was resting in shallow water, beached on Grenidier Island, where
          the remaining passengers and crew were safely landed.  At a
          coroner's jury all the survivors who testified agreed that all
          who perished did so because they did not follow the captain's
          orders.
             In June the wreck of the WISCONSIN was raised and towed to
          Ogdensburgh to remove the machinery and anything else of value.

          Among the lost:
            CREW -
            Jno. Powers, First Mate, Ogdensburg
            A. F. Morrison, First Engineer, Clayton
            Edw. McCormick, Watchman, Clayton
            David Horan, Deck Hand, Prescott
            Henry Chatman, Deck Hand, Ogdensburg

            PASSENGERS -
            Mrs. Robert Chisholm
                 (children)
                  Eliza, Mary, Ann, Catherine and Thomas, of Canada
            Mrs. Nancy Creed, Potsdam
            Miss Catherine Creed, Potsdam
            Frederick Creed, Potsdam
            Mr. Galligher, Pembrooke, C.E.
            Henry McAlpine, Edwardsburgh, C.W.
            James Casey, St. Lawrence Co.
            Geo. Lindsley, St. Lawrence Co.
            A. White, Keesville
            Ira Cook, ticketed at Aurora, Ill.



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Sources: Sandusky Register, 23 May 1867
         Oswego Advertiser & Times, 27 May 1867
         Toledo Blade, 26 June 1867
         Detroit Free Press, 20 December 1867