Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. 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. =========================================================================== History of St. Clair County, Michigan A. T. Andreas & Co., Chicago; 1883 [431] THE MARINE OF THE LAKES The first boat, other than Indian canoes, which appeared on the River St. Clair, was the Griffin, the history of which is given in other pages. Following in the track of the Griffin came the boats of the couriers, but not until the Fair American and Friendship appeared here about the year 1816, has any account of large boats been given. One of these vessels was known as the Revenue Cutter, under Capt. WILLIAM KEITH. These boats passed up the river in 1822, en route to Saginaw, and returned to Ft. Gratiot, in 1823, with the garrison of that post, then commanded by Maj. BAKER. Dr. ZINA PITCHER was on board the Friend- ship, then commanded by Capt. KEITH; while the Fair American was under Capt. WALKER. The Tiger and the Porcupine Cutters were on the river and lake after this time, one under Capt. WILLIAM KEITH and the other under JOHN O'FLAHERTY. Between the years 1820-22, ANGUS McINTOSH built on the spot where WALKER'S distillery now stands in Canada a three-masted, square-rigged, barque-shaped vessel called the Duke of Wellington, of 132 tons, which was at that time the wonder and admiration of the lakes. In fact, pre- vious to 1830, the sailing vessels belonging to Michigan were small sloops and schooners, rarely reaching 100 tons, and generally under sixty. These were mostly built at Huron, Ohio, and in Buffalo, the late OLIVER NEWBERRY especially patronizing the former place. In nothing is the rapid growth of our commerce and wealth of the State more clearly exhibited than in the increase in the number and capacity of the vessels owned at her ports. The Salem packet of 1818, 27 tons burden, the St. Clair of 28 tons, built in 1824, the Albatross, 20 tons, and Marshal Ney, 93 tons, built in 1830, the Elizabeth Ward, 65 tons, and Gen. Harrison, 115 tons, built in 1833, all the property of SAMUEL and E. B. WARD, during 1850-60. Every one who knows anything of the history of our lake marine has heard of the famous "fleet" of OLIVER NEWBERRY, who was known as the "Admiral of the lakes." For the benefit of the present generation, we append the following list of vessels composing this fleet, with their tonnage: The Pilot 54 tons, built at St. Clair, in 1825; LaGrange, 101 tons, at Mt. Clemens, in 1826; Napoleon, 107 tons, at Detroit, in 1828; Savage, 30 tons, at St. Clair, in 1828; Marengo, 104 tons, built at Huron, Ohio, in 1832; Lodi, 64 tons, at Huron, Ohio, in 1834; Jena, 55 tons, at Detroit, in 1834; all these were schooners. These were commanded by such veteran sailors as CHESLEY BLAKE, MASON DINGLEY, JOHN STEWART, HARRY WHITTAKER, GUS. McKINSTRY, AMOS B. HINCKLEY, LEVI ALLEN, and BEN. MILLER. The first steamer enrolled as belonging to Detroit was the Argo, and she was called a steam sloop. She was built in 1830 in Detroit, and was owned and commanded by JOHN BURTIS. She was 42 feet long, 9 broad, and 2 1/2 deep. Her capacity was nine tons. She was used as a ferry, and occasionally ran up the River Rouge to Dearborn. The next steamer was the Gen. Gratiot, built at Black River, Ohio, in 1831. She was 45 tons burden and was licensed here in June of that year, owned by FRANCIS F. BROWNING, and commanded by ARTHUR EDWARDS. Then came the Gen. Brady, 65 tons, built at Detroit in 1832, owned by a number of the then principal business men; and the Andrew Jackson, 49 tons, built at Mount Clemens in 1832, by Gray & Gallagher. During the years 1833 and 1834, a number of steamers were built, of which the following are the names and tonnage: Lady of the Lake, 26 tons, built at Mount Clemens; Major Jack Downing, 54 tons, also built at Mount Clemens; Oliver Newberry, 170 tons, built at St. Clair; Uncle Sam, 220 tons, built at Grosse Isle; Michigan, 470 tons, built at Detroit; Detroit, 137 tons, also built at Detroit; Delaware, 178 tons, built at Huron, Ohio; Monroe, 349 tons, built at Monroe. Those enrolled ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [432] HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY after this gradually increased in size, and the date of their building becomes so recent that their history "doth not outstrip the memory" of this generation. The first steamboat between Detroit and Port Huron was the Argo, referred to above. She was constructed from two large whitewood trees, converted into dug-outs, joined so as to make a sharp bow and square stern. She was the property of her Captain, BURTISS, of Detroit. On her arrival at Stromness Island, she would take on board a quantity of fence rails, as it appears she could not load sufficienct fuel for her trip at either Port Huron or Detroit. The Gen. Gratiot, referred to, was purchased by Dr. RICE and Co., of Detroit, and placed on the St. Clair route about 1831, under Capt. JOHN CLARKE, of East China. The boat and her Captain became great favorites. In 1833-34, the Gen. Brady, under Capt. BURTISS, plied on the lake and river. The Lady of the Lake, with Captain SYLVESTER ATWOOD, was a small boat, which plied on the river for a short time. The Erie was placed on the route in 1836 by JAMES ABBOT, and was known as the Fast Boat until her wreck on Lake St. Clair in 1842. Capt. SAMUEL WARD placed the Huron on the St. Clair route in 1840, with E. B. WARD as Captain. This was the great boat of the period. In the Stewart memoirs, it is said that at this time Newport, St. Clair and Port Huron were rapidly increasing in population, and the county was filling up with industrious farmers. The same evidences of progress were shown on the Canadian side of the river. Lake Huron shore and the river ports gave this boat full freights, her commodious cabins were always crowded with passengers. She continued on the route, until worn out with ser- vice she was withdrawn, having proved herself the foundation on which the colossal fortune of the WARDS was built up. The first boat built in the county was the St. Clair, in 1820, owned and operated by SAMUEL WARD. After the opening of the Erie Canal, WARD took on freight for New York, and taking two horses with him to tow the boat through the canal, started on his Eastern trip. On his arrival at Erie, he stowed away the masts and sails, pushed through the canal to Hudson, where he replaced masts and sails, and proceeded to the city of New York. Having procured a full freight list, he entered upon the re- turn home. He expected to receive a premium from the canal authorities for his enterprising in running the first lake boat through; but the canal men failed to appreciate the deed, and instead of receiving a pre- mium he was called upon to pay toll. The St. Clair was the first boat built at Marine City. The Grand Turk was the first boat built at St. Clair, or Palmer Village. She was completed shortly after the St. Clair. Capt. ALEX- ANDER St. BERNARD was in charge of this ungainly looking product of Barber's naval architectural knowledge. The Savage of Detroit was built in Clay Township in 1824, by Capt. AMOS HENKLEY and R. NEWHALL. The Savage was a trader on the Mackinac, Green Bay and West Michigan route, and was the first vessel that entered and wintered in the St. Joseph River. Capt. HENKLEY, on returning to Detroit, gave a glowing account of the shore at St. Joseph, and succeeded in urging its adoption as the location of a village. He built the first house there, and claimed an interest in the village plat. This lake sailor died on board his boat in 1834, and was buried on the Canada shore. In the winter of 1835, WILLIAM BROWN caused the body to be exhumed, and interred on United States soil. SHIP-BUILDING IN ST. CLAIR The names and tonnage of the several vessels that have been built in this county up to December, 1847, are here given. Most of them were built within the three years ending in 1847. It is estimated by ex- perienced builders that shipping could be built 20 per cent cheaper upon the St. Clair that at any other point on the lakes: Built at Lexington - Schooners Big Z, having 140 tonnage; China, 65; Merinda, 57; B. G. Allen, 34; Ann, 38; Dolphin, 8; Pontiac, 90; sloop, H. Young, 30. Built at Burtchville - Schooner Baltic, having 96 tonnage. Built at Port Huron - Schooners Amazon, having 215 tonnage; H. W. Hubbard, 75; Freedom, 28; Industry, 45; H. Hopkins, 14; brig David Smart, 223; steamer America, 1,100. Built at St. Clair - Schooner Uncle Tom, having 140 tonnage; pro- peller Goliath, 315. Built at China - Schooner Macomb, having 45 tonnage; St. Clair, 35. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [433] HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY Built at Newport - Steamers Huron, having 150 tonnage; Champion, 196; Detroit, 217; Sam. Ward, 433; schooners Henry Clay, 190; Morning Star, 38; Gen. Harrison, 106; Vermont, 95. Built at Algonac - Schooners Venus, having 45 tonnage; Wolverine, 213; Vengeance, 78; Mary Ann Larned, 98; Congress, 215; steamers Macomb, 132; Franklin, 250; Sultana, 850; Fashion, 280. Total, 9 steamers, 1 propeller, 25 schooners and 1 sloop. In addi- tion to these, there were building at Port Huron a brig of 220 tons, a propeller of 350 tons; at St. Clair, a steamer of 1,600 tons; and at Algonac, a brig of 200 tons. In addition to the information given, the following history of the lake marine is given. The paper was found in the writer's scrap-book; but to whom the credit of its compilation is due, is unknown. All of the early writers of our lake history seem to agree that the name of the first vessel which ever floated the lakes was the Griffin, which made her debut in 1679. She was built on the Niagara River, six miles above the Falls, was of sixty tons burden; and set sail August 7, of that year, in command of Chevalier de la Salle, with a crew of six persons all told, for Mackinac; and in the course of a few days, loaded with furs, started on the return voyage, which is the last that is known of her, although it has been averred that the crew and outfit of the vessel were saved, wich assertion, however, is most positively contradicted by the best au- thority. It may here be noted as the first marine disaster that ever occurred on the lakes. From this period up to the year 1766, no mention is made as to the movement of any craft on the lakes, although it is not to be doubted that others were introduced previous to that time. Four vessels, named respectively the Gladwin, Lady Charlotte, Victory and Boston, were navigating the lakes in the last-named year, and in subse- quent years up to the present time their names have rolled up to legion. As early as May 1, 1770, the schooner Charity was launched at Niagara; she was commanded by Capt. JOHN LAIGHTON, and was employed in the freighting of merchandise; her dimensions are not given; she was employed in the carrying trade for several years. On Lake Ontario, history informs us, the first vessel was set afloat in 1789. She was built at Sodus Bay, by Capt. JOHN FELLOWS, who came from Sheffield, Mass., her first cargo being tobacco and tea. Eventually Capt. FELLOWS transferred his operations to the Upper Lakes, and com- manded, besides owning vessels, until quite a late period - until 1839 - when he died at Fort Erie, opposite Black Rock, N.Y. The first merchant brig introduced upon the lakes was called the Union. She was ninety-six tons, and was built in 1814, but being found too large for the business requirements of that period, was for a time laid up. The first full- rigged ship on the lakes was built at Buffalo in 1836, by Col. ALANSON PALMER, and called the Julia Palmer, of about 300 tons burden. She proved inadaquate for the trade, was converted into a steamer, and lost on Lake Superior in 1847. During our lake history, two vessels were sent over Niagara Falls. One of these, called the Michigan, was a condemned craft built in 1817, and 132 tons burden. Early in the season of 1829, she was purchased by parties at the Falls and fitted out with yards aloft, and in September of that year was sent over the Falls, stocked with a few tame and wild animals. She was got underway from Navy Island and piloted as far as dare be by Capt. JAMES ROUGH and HARRY WEISHUHN. Two bears were on board, one of which escaped to the shore previous to the vessel making her final leap, and was presented to the notorious SAM PATCH, and accompanied him on his last leap over Rochester Falls. A similar experiment was carried out by the same parties in 1831, who pur- chased at Buffalo, a condemned vessel called the Superior, of about the same dimensions as the Michigan, but in this instance, the programme of the occasion failed to meet their expectations. After reaching the rapids, she struck on an island, and there remained until floated off by high water a month subsequently. The first vessel to Chicago was the schooner Gen. Tracy, a vessel of about ninety tons burden, and built at Detroit somewhere about the year 1800, and wrecked on Fort Erie reef in 1809; owned at the time by Porter, Barton & Co. The Tracy set sail from Detroit for Chicago in 1803, having on board a company of soldiers, under command of Col. SWEARINGEN. On the passage, she called at St. Joseph and other points. Chicago at this per- iod had but one white man's dwelling, that of an Indian trader. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [434] HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY Having thus briefly alluded to the commencement of our vessel his- tory, it may not be deemed inopportune to present the following history of the first steamboat and others which have followed and passed off the stage of existence. History deemed authentic informs us that the first steamboat, the Clermont, was built by ROBERT FULTON, in 1807, near Hurl- gate, on East River. She was 140 feet long, of flat construction, and drew twenty-two inches of water. Her wheels extended below the bottom of the boat. A fly-wheel was attached to the paddle-wheel, having a run four inches wide, which was able to make the paddle-wheel pass the center without a jerk. There was a big hub just inside the boat, into which the shaft fitted. In 1817, a steamer was built and launched at Prescott, Lake Ontario, called the Dalhousie, which was the first steam craft on that lake. The year following, 1818, the Ontario came out at Sackett's Harbor, which was the first American steamer. In 1818, the steamboat Walk-in-the-Water was commissioned on Lake Erie. She was built opposite Squaw Island, on the Niagara River, below Black Rock, and was 342 tons burden, low pressure engine, and arrived on her first trip at Detroit August 22 of that year, commanded by Capt. JOB FISH. In 1819, she made her first trip to Macki- nac, and on November 1, 1821, was lost in Buffalo Bay, since which time upward of 200 side-wheel boats have been built and passed out of exist- ence. Thirty-four were burned, involving the loss of upward of 700 lives; sixty-nine are known to have been wrecked or foundered, with the loss of 136 lives; twelve were sunk by collisions, with a loss of 601 lives; upward of sixty went to decay, or having served their time, were broken up; and forty-one converted into other uses. Of the lost, we summarize as follows, having no reference to those yet in commission. Walk-in-the Water, 342 tons, built at Black Rock, 1818, wrecked at Buffalo November 1, 1821. Superior, 300, Buffalo, 1822, made a ship and lost in 1843. Chippewa, 100, Buffalo, broken up in 1825. Niagara 1st, 180, Black Rock, 1825, broken up. Henry Clay, 348, Black Rock, 1825, broken up. Pioneer, 230, Black Rock, 1825, wrecked on Lake Michigan, July, 1834. William Penn, 275, Erie, Penn., 1826, wrecked. Enterprise 1st, 250, Cleveland, 1826, wrecked. William Peacock, 120, Barcelona, 1829, exploded, killing 15 persons, on Lake Erie, 1830. Newburyport, 75, Erie, Penn., 1829, broken up. Sheldon Thompson, 242, Huron, Ohio, 1830, broken up. Ohio 1st, 187, Sandusky, 1830, burned at Toledo in 1842. Adelaide (Champlain), 230, Chippewa, C. W., 1830, wrecked on Lake Michigan, 1849. Gratiot, 63, Black River, Ohio, 1831, broken up. Pennsylvania, 395, Erie, Penn, 1832, broken up. Gen. Brady, 100, Detroit, 1832, made into a vessel in 1844. Uncle Sam, 280, Grosse Isle, Mich., 1832, made into a vessel in 1844. Perseverance, 50, Erie, Penn., 1832, broken up. Washington 1st, 600, Huron, Ohio, 1833, wrecked on Long Point, first trip. New York, 325, Black Rock, 1833, went to decay. Michigan 1st, 472, Detroit, 1833, broken up. Daniel Webster, 358, Black Rock, 1833, burned in 1835 at Buffalo; rebuilt. Detroit 1st, 240, Toledo, 1833, wrecked on Lake Michigan, 1836. Lady of the Lake, 60, Mount Clemens, 1833, broken up. Gov. Marcy, 161, Black Rock, 1833, broken up. North America, 362, Conneaut, Ohio, 1833, burned at Conneaut in 1847. O. Newberry, 170, Palmer, Mich., 1833, broken up. Delaware, 170, Huron, Ohio, 1833, wrecked near Chicago, 1836. Victory, 77, Buffalo, 1834, broken up at Buffalo. Gen. Porter, 342, Black Rock, 1834, made a propeller. Thomas Jefferson, 428, Erie, Penn., 1834, converted into a floating elevator at Buffalo. Commodore Perry, 352, Perrysburg, 1834, exploded in 1835, killing 6. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [435] HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY Monroe, 341, Monroe, 1834, went to decay. Mazeppa, 130, Buffalo, 1834, made into a vessel. Sandusky, 377, Sandusky, 1834, burned at Buffalo, made a bark, lost in 1845. Minnissetunc, 250, Goderich, C. W., 1834, sunk near Malden by steam- boat Erie in 1839. Gen. Jackson, 50, Mount Clemens, 1834, broken up. Jack Downing, 80, Sandusky, 1834, made into a vessel. Little Western, 60, Chatham, C. W., burned at Detroit in 1842. Caroline, 80, Charleston, S.C., 1834, burned and sent over Niagara Falls in 1837. Robert Fulton, 308, Cleveland, 1835, wrecked at Sturgeon Point, Lake Erie, in 1844. Columbus, 391, Huron, Ohio, 1835, wrecked on Dunkirk piers in 1848. Charles Townsend, 312, Buffalo, N.Y., 1835, condemned in 1849. United States, 366, Huron, Ohio, 1835, broken up at Buffalo. Chicago, 166, St. Joseph, Mich., 1835, wrecked in a gale in 1842. W. F. P. Taylor, 95, Silver Creek, 1835, once burned, afterward wrecked on Lake Michigan in 1842. Thames, 160, Chatham, 1833, burned at Windsor in 1838 by rebels, and rebuilt. DeWitt Clinton, 493, Huron, Ohio, 1836, sunk at Dunkirk in 1851. Julia Palmer, 300, Buffalo, 1836, formerly a ship, lost on Lake Superior in 1847. Don Quixote, 80, Toledo, 1836, wrecked on Lake Huron, 1836. Little Erie, 149, Detroit, 1836, sunk in Lake St. Clair in 1843. Barcelona, 102, Dunnville, 1836, formerly Princess Victoria, made into a vessel. United, 40, Detroit, 1836, made into a barge. St. Clair, 250, Sandusky, 1836, formerly Rhode Island, went to decay. Cincinatti, 116, Sandusky, 1836, made a vessel, called the John F. Porter. Illinois 1st, 755, Detroit, 1837, made a propeller barge and lost on Lake Huron in 1868. Rochester, 472, near Fairport, 1837, made a barge, wrecked at Erie, 1852, 7 lives lost. Madison, 630, Erie, Penn., 1837, condemned in 1849. Cleveland 1st, 580, Huron, Ohio, 1837, burned at Tonawanda in 1854. Wisconsin, 700, Conneaut, 1837, sunk in Lake Erie by collision. Erie, 497, Erie, Penn., 1837, burned off Silver Creek in 1841, 250 lives lost. Constellation, 483, Black River, Ohio, 1837, broken up. Bunker Hill, 457, Black River, Ohio, 1837, burned at Tonawanda, in 1857. Constitution, 443, Conneaut, Ohio, 1837, broken up at Sandusky. New England, 416, Black Rock, 1837, went to decay at Buffalo. Milwaukee, 400, Grand Island, 1837, wrecked on Lake Michigan, 1842. Anthony Wayne, 390, Perrysburg, 1837, exploded in 1850, broken up in 1851. Macomb, 100, Mount Clemens, 1837, condemned at Monroe. Rhode Island, 164, Sandusky, 1837, once called the St. Clair. Star, 128, Belvidere, Mich., 1837, burned at Buffalo in 1845. Commerce, 80, Sandusky, 1837, broken up. Mason, 33, Grand Rapids, 1837, condemned. Great Western, 780, Huron, Ohio, 1838, burned at Detroit in 1839 and rebuilt. Buffalo, 613, Buffalo, 1838, made a barque in 1848, and lost on Lake Michigan. Chesapeake, 412, Maumee, 1838, sunk in Lake Erie by collision with a vessel in 1846. Vermillion, 385, Vermillion, 1838, burned at Huron, Ohio, 5 lives lost. Lexington, 363, Black River, Ohio, 1838, condemned. Fairport, 259, Fairport, 1838, burned at Algonac in 1844. Red Jacket, 148, Grand Island, 1838, condemned at Detroit. Gen. Vance, 75, Perrysburg, 1838, exploded, 9 lives lost near Windsor in 1844. James Allen, 258, Chicago, 1838, broken up. Washington 2d, 380, Ashtabula, 1838, burned off Silver Creek in 1838, 60 lives lost. G. W. Dole, 162, Chicago, 1838, sunk at Buffalo in 1856. C. C. Trowbridge, 52, Kalamazoo, 1838, condemned at Milwaukee. Marshall, 51, Perrysburg, 1838, broken up. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- [436] HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY Wabash, 34, Perrysburg, 1838, broken up. Owaskenonk, 45, Grand Haven, 1838, broken up. Patronage, 56, St. Joseph, 1838, broken up. Gen. Scott, 240, Huron, Ohio, 1839, sunk in Lake St. Clair by collision, in 1848. Chautauqua, 200, Buffalo, 1839, sunk at Buffalo in 1848. Brothers, 150, Chatham, C. W., 1839, sunk in River Thames, 1846. Kent, 180, Chatham, C. W., 1839, sunk in Lake Erie by collision with steamboat London, 1845, 7 lives lost. Huron, 140, Newport, 1839, dismantled in 1848. Gen. Harrison, 63, Maumee, 1839, wrecked near Chicago, 1854. Detroit 2d, 350, Newport, 1840, sunk in Saginaw Bay, by collision with bark Nucleus, 1854. Missouri, 612, Erie, Penn., 1840, converted into a propeller barge in 1868. Waterloo, 100, Black Rock, 1840, wrecked in Georgian Bay, 1846. Indiana, 434, Toledo, 1841, burned at Conneaut in 1848. Ben Franklin, 231, Algonac, 1842, wrecked at Thunder Bay, 1850. John Owen, 230, Detroit, 1842, burned on river St. Clair, 1860. Nile, 600, Detroit, 1843, wrecked at Milwaukee in 1849. Union, 64, Black Rock, 1843, broken up in 1850. Champion, 270, Newport, 1843, broken up. Emerald, 250, Chippewa, 1844, sunk in Bear Creek in 1858. Empire, 1,136, Cleveland, 1844, made a propeller barge, and lost in 1870 on Long Point. Tecumseh, 259, Algonac, 1844, wrecked in 1850, formerly the Fairport. J. Wolcott, 80, Maumee, burned in 1851. Indian Queen, 112, Buffalo, 1844, wrecked at Dunkirk in 1846, 20 lives lost. New Orleans, 610, Detroit, 1844, formerly Vermillion, lost at Thunder Bay in 1853. St. Louis, 618, Perrysburg, 1844, wrecked on Lake Erie in 1852. U.S. steamer Michigan, 583, Erie, Penn., 1844. U.S. steamer Alert, 133, Buffalo, 1844. Niagara 2d, 1,084, Buffalo, 1845, burned on Lake Michigan in September, 1856, 60 lives lost. Boston, 775, Detroit, 1845, wrecked at Milwaukee, November 24, 1846 Oregon, 781, Newport, 1845, burned at Chicago in 1849, while laid up. Troy, 547, Maumee, 1845, wrecked at Goderich in 1860. G. P. Griffith, 587, Buffalo, 1845, burned on Lake Erie in 1850, 250 lives lost. Superior 2d, 507, Perrysburg, 1845, wrecked on Lake Superior, 35 lives lost, in 1856. Astor, 200, Green Bay, 1845, condemned. London, 456, Chippewa, 1845, made a bark called Oliver Lee, wrecked in 1857. Helen Strong, 253, Monroe, 1845, wrecked near Barcelona in 1847, 2 lives lost. Romeo, 180, Detroit, 1845, made a ferry boat in 1858, and taken to Toledo. Albany, 669, Detroit, 1846, wrecked at Presque Isle, Lake Huron, in 1853. Hendrick Hudson, 759, Black River, Ohio, 1846, burned at Cleveland in 1860. Louisiana, 900, Buffalo, 1846, wrecked at Port Burwell in 1857. Saratoga, 800, Cleveland, 1846, wrecked at Port Burwell in 1854. Canada, 800, Chippewa, 1846, made a bark and lost on Lake Michigan in 1855. Islander, 73, Kelly's Island, 1846, sunk at St. Clair Flats by ice in 1861. Baltic, 825, Buffalo, 1847, made a barge in 1863. Sultana, 800, Trenton, 1847, made a barge and wrecked in 1858. A. D. Patchin, 870, Trenton, 1847, wrecked at Skillagalee in 1850. Baltimore, 500, Monroe, 1847, wrecked at Sheboygan in 1855. Diamond, 336, Buffalo, 1847, broken up at Detroit in 1860. Pacific, 500, Newport, 1847, made a barge, and lost on Lake Michigan in 1867. Ohio 2d, 600, Cleveland, 1847, dismantled at Erie in 1859. Sam Ward, 450, Newport, 1847, made a barge, and running yet. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- [437] HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY Southerner, 500, Trenton, 1847, wrecked on Lake Erie in 1863. Arrow, 350, Trenton, 1848, condemned in Green Bay in 1863. Alabama, 600, Detroit, 1848, sunk near Buffalo in 1854. Franklin Moore, 300, Newport, 1848, broken up in 1862. J. D. Morton, 400, Toledo, 1848, burned on River St. Clair in 1863. Empire State, 1,700, St. Clair, 1848, made a dry dock at Buffalo in 1858. Queen City, 1,000, Buffalo, 1848, made a barge and lost on Lake Huron in 1866. Globe, 1,200, Detroit, 1848, converted into a propeller. Columbia, 167, Fairport, 1848, wrecked on Lake Huron in 1866. Charter, 350, Detroit, 1848, made a propeller and lost in 1854 on Lake Erie. Albion, 132, Maumee City, 1848, broken up in 1865. John Hollister, 300, Perrysburg, 1848, burned on Lake Erie, rebuilt, and lost on Lake Huron. Atlantic, 1,100, Newport, 1849, sunk at Long Point by collision, 150 lives lost. Mayflower, 1,300, Detroit, 1849, wrecked at Point au Pellee in 1854. Keystone State, Buffalo, 1849, foundered on Saginaw Bay in 1861, 33 lives lost. Telegraph, 101, Truago, Mich., 1849, sunk by collision with schooner Marquette, 1859, on Lake Erie. *Dart, 297, Trenton, 1859, dismantled in 1866. *Dover, 81, Port Dover, 1859, wrecked near Port Dover in 1855. *Ocean, 900, Newport, 1859, made into a barge in 1867. *Fox, 162, Buffalo, 1859, burned at Newport, Mich., in 1863. *Gore, 149, Lake Ontario, 1859, dismantled at Detroit. *May Queen, 688, Trenton, 1859, burned at Milwaukee in 1866. [TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: The 6 entries above appear out of build date sequence and it should be noted that these boats were built in 1849, not 1859.] Arctic, 857, Newport, 1851, stranded on Lake Superior in 1860, at Huron Island. Ruby, 251, Newport, 1851, broken up at Saginaw. Bay City, 479, Trenton, 1851, wrecked at the Clay Banks in 1862. Buckeye State, 1,274, Cleveland, 1851, burned in Buffalo, dismantled in 1857. Northerner, 514, Cleveland, 1851, sunk in 1856 by collision with steamboat Forrest Queen, on Lake Huron. Swan, 166, Detroit, 1851, burned at Toledo, 1852, and at Algonac in 1854. Pearl, 251, Newport, 1851, broken up in 1869. Plough Boy, 450, Chatham, 1851, renamed the T. F. Parks, burned in 1870 at Detroit. Mazeppa, 250, Lake Ontario, 1851, wrecked on Lake Huron in 1856. Minnesota, 749, Maumee, 1851, wrecked at Summer's Island, Green Bay, in 1861. Caspian, 1,050, Newport, 1851, wrecked at Cleveland pier in 1852. Lady Elgin, 1,037, Buffalo, 1851, sunk by collision with schooner Augusta, on Lake Michigan, 1860; 400 lives lost. Iowa, 981, Buffalo, 1852, made a propeller and finally a barge in 1868, lost in 1869. Cleveland 2d, 574, Newport, 1852, wrecked at Two Heart River, Lake Superior, in 18**. [remainder of year is missing from page.] Golden Gate, 771, Buffalo, 1852, wrecked at Erie in 1856, 1 life lost Huron 2d, 348, Newport, 1852, in commission. Traveler, 603, Newport, 1852, burned at Chicago in 1854, and at Eagle Harbor, 1865. Michigan 2d, 642, Detroit, 1847, made a barge, and lost on Lake Erie in 1869. Crescent City, 1,740, Buffalo, 1853, dismantled in 1859. Queen of the West, 1,851, Buffalo, 1853, dismantled in 1859. Mississippi, 1,829, Buffalo, 1853, dismantled in 1862. St. Lawrence, 1,844, Buffalo, 1853, made a bark, and wrecked at Buffalo in 1863. E. K. Collins, 950, Newport, 1853, burned at the mouth of Detroit River in 1854; 23 lives lost. Ariel, 165, Sandusky, 1853, burned opposite Belle Isle, Detroit River, in 1868. Garden City, 450, Buffalo, 1853, wrecked near Detour, in 1854. Canadian, 389, Chatham, 1853, broken up in 1868. Kaloolah, 450, Buffalo, 1853, wrecked at Saugeen in 1862. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [438] HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY J. Whitney, 238, Saginaw, 1853, made a barge in 1867. Northern Indiana, 1,470, Buffalo, 1853, burned on Lake Erie in 1856; 56 lives lost. Southern Michigan, 1,470, Buffalo, 1853, dismantled. Forester, 504, Newport, 1853, dismantled in 1865 and made a barge. Plymouth Rock, 1,991, Buffalo, 1854, dismantled in 1857. Western World, 1,000, Buffalo, 1854, dismantled in 1857. North Star, 1,106, Cleveland, 1854, burned in February, 1862, at Cleveland. Illinois 2d, 826, Detroit, 1854, made a barge in 1869, and lost same year on Lake Huron. R. R. Elliot, 321, Newport, 1854, dismantled in 1866 and made a barge Clifton, 247, Chippewa, 1854, dismantled in 1866 at Owen Sound. Forest Queen, 462, Newport, 1855, dismantled in 1866, and made a barge. Planet, 1,164, Newport, 1855, dismantled in 1866 at Manitowoc, and made a barge. Island Queen, 173, Kelly's Island, 1855, in commission. Amity, 217, Chatham, 1856, wrecked on Long Point in 1867. Magnet, 256, Saginaw, 1856, in commission. Western Metropolis, 1,860, Buffalo, 1856, made a bark, and wrecked on Lake Michigan, 1864. City of Buffalo, 2,000, Buffalo, 1857, made a propeller and burned at Buffalo. City of Cleveland, 788, Buffalo, 1857, made a barge, and lost on Lake Erie in 1868 Princess, 109, Algonac, 1858, broken up in 1869. Olive Branch, 89, Detroit, 1858, broken up. Gazelle, 422, Newport, 1858, wrecked at Eagle Harbor in 1860. Sea Bird, 638, Newport, 1859, burned on Lake Michigan in 1868; 72 lives lost. Detroit (steamship), 1,113, Buffalo, 1859, made a propeller in 1871. Milwaukee (steamship), 1,113, Buffalo, 1859, wrecked at Grand Haven in 1868. Bonnie Boat, 125, Huron, Ohio, 1859, wrecked at Kincardine in 1869. Comet, 385, Newport, 1860, in commission. Philo Parsons, 221, Algonac, 1861, at Chicago. Sunbeam, 398, Manitowoc, 1861, foundered in Lake Superior in 1863; 21 lives lost. Bruce, 100, Goderich, 1862, broken up. Emerald 2d, 249, Algonac, 1862, in commission at Saginaw. Morning Star, 1,141, Trenton, 1862, sunk in Lake Erie in July, 1862, by collision with bark Courtland; 32 lives lost. Sarah Van Epps, 179, Fort Howard, 1862, in commission. Susan Ward, 359, Detroit, 1862, made a barge in 1870. Young America, 89, Algonac, 1862, in commission. Stephen Clement, 602, Newport, 1863, made a barge in 1869. Heather Bell, 149, Detroit, 1863, in commission. Reindeer, 320, Saginaw, 1863, in commission, Capt. ORR. Silver Spray, 269, Port Dalhousie, 1864, in commission. W. J. Spicer, 446, Port Sarnia, 1864, Grand Trunk ferry. L. G. Mason, 139, Grand Rapids, 1864, at Saginaw. George Dunlap, 358, Green Bay, 1864, plying on Green Bay. C. W. Reynolds, 171, Toledo, 1864, plying at Saginaw. J. B. Smith, 141, Algonac, 1864, plying at Detroit. Wave 2d, 159, Algonac, 1864, plying at Saginaw. Keweenaw, 635, Marine City, 1865, plying to Lake Superior. City of Toledo, 362, Toledo, 1865, plying on Lake Michigan, Capt. J. P. Hodges. Waubuno, 180, Port Robinson, 1865, plying on Georgian Bay. Minnie (flat), 242, Saginaw, 1865. Gen. Sheridan, 100, Cleveland, 1865. W. R. Clinton, 395, Marine City, 1866, plying to Saginaw, Capt. P. Kenyon. City of Sandusky, 432, Sandusky, 1866, plying on Saginaw Bay. Orion, 636, Manitowoc, 1866, plying on Lake Michigan. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [439] HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY Saginaw, 563, Marine City, 1866, plying on Green Bay. Evening Star, 342, Saginaw, 1866, plying at Sandusky. Mackinaw (flat), 191, Detroit, 1866, plying on the river. Alpena, 617, Marine City, 1866, plying on Lake Michigan. Marine City, 573, Marine City, 1866, plying to Mackinac. R. N. Rice, 1,030, Detroit, 1866, plying between Detroit and Cleveland, Capt. McKAY. Great Western, 1,200, Windsor, 1866, iron ferry steamer at Detroit. Union, 1,000, Windsor, 1866, ferry for railroads at Detroit. Frances Smith, 625, Owen Sound, 1867, plies to and from Owen Sound. Manitowoc, 773, Manitowoc, 1867, plies on Lake Michigan. Northwest, 1,100, Manitowoc, 1867, plies to Cleveland, Capt. VIGER. Dominion, 221, Wallaceburg, 1863, plies to Chatham, Capt. STEINHOFF. Jay Cooke, 450, Detroit, 1868, plies to Sandusky, Capt. GOLDSMITH. Dove, 427, Trenton, 1868, plies to Malden, Capt. SLOAN. J. K. White, 80, Cleveland, 1868, plies to Toledo. Ivanhoe, 223, Buffalo, 1869, plies to Niagara River. Manitoba, 800, Port Robinson, 1871, plies to Collingwood, and Lake Superior. Cumberland, 750, Port Robinson, 1871, plies to Collingwood, and Lake Superior. North Star, 300, Green Bay, 1871, plies on Green Bay route. There were several others which plied to and from Detroit, of the smaller class, not noted in the above. The following brief mention of steamers was omitted in the foregoing. The Cynthia, a small steamer plying between Chatham and Malden, was burned near the latter port in 1838. The steamer O. H. Perry (small) burned at Sandusky in 1869. The J. P. Ward, 167 tons, built at Detroit in *1857, burned at Bay City in *1855, and her bottom built into a vessel. The steamers Reindeer and Free Trader (both pollywogs), Canadian boats, were lost in 1857. The former was wrecked at Big Point Au Sable, Lake Michigan, and 23 lives lost. The latter was burned at Port Stanley, C. W. The Fremont was burned at San- dusky in 1858. The Sebastopol, built in Cleveland in 1854 or 1855, was wrecked at Milwaukee in 1855, and the Canada 2d wrecked at Bar Point, Lake Erie, and was burned previously on River St. Clair, in 1855. The steamer America, built at Port Huron, and about 600 tons, was wrecked on the rocks at Dunkirk in 1854. The steamer Bruce Mines foundered on Lake Huron, and one life lost. The Belle, a small boat, built at Buffalo, and first commanded by Capt. FRANK PEREW, was wrecked on Georgian Bay in 1852. The Telegraph No. 2. formerly a lower lake boat, was burned at the head of Lake Erie in 1852, and a Canadian steamer, the Queen Victoria, wrecked at the head of Niagara River in 1851. A steamer called the Atlas was wrecked near Grand River, C. W., in 1851, and the Wave 1st, built at Detroit, wrecked near same place same year. The Col. Crockett was lost near St. Joseph in 1834. Of her career, we know nothing; she was of the smaller class. The Mezeppa 2d was brought from Lake Ontario in 1856, and was shortly after wrecked on Lake Huron. In 1847, a steamer called the Experiment, brought from Lake Ontario, navigated Lake Erie, and was broken up on the Detroit River a few years since. In 1848, the Dispatch came from the lower lakes, and plied on Lake Erie, and eventually became a tug on the rivers. She was broken up at Chatham in 1860. Communication between Lakes Erie and Ontario was first opened up in 1831, via Port Robinson and Chippewa, thence via Niagara River to Lake Erie. The first vessels to pass through (and they arrived simulta- neously) were the Bristish schooner Ann and Jane and the American schoon- er Erie and Ontario. The event was duly celebrated. Subsequently, the outlet was extended to Port Colborne and to Port Maitland, on Lake Erie, the former twenty miles distant from Buffalo, the latter forty miles. The introduction of propellers on the northern lakes was first inaugu- rated by the arrival on Lake Erie, early in 1842, of the Vandalia, a sloop-rigged craft, built at Oswego, and 150 tons burden. Since that date, upward of 700 have been set afloat on the upper and lower lakes. In 1842, the Chicago and Oswego, each 150 tons burden, were built at Oswego. In 1843, the Hercules and Sampson -- the former built at Buffalo, the latter at Perrysburg -- were the first built on the upper lakes; the Hercules was 275 tons, the Sampson 250 tons burden. The Emigrant came out same year at Cleveland, 275 *[transcriber's note: The information (years) appearing here are exactly as they appear on the printed page, and not a typo.] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [440] HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY tons, and the Independence at Chicago, 262 tons. The Racine and New York also came out that year at Oswego. In 1844, the Porter, 310 tons, at Buffalo. In 1845, were the following: The Syracuse, of Oswego; Henry Clay, of Dexter; Island, of Kingston; Oregon, of Cleveland; Princeton, of Perrysburg; Phoenix, of Cleveland; and Detroit of Detroit. The tonnage of these last named was from 300 to 400 tons. In 1846, the following were commissioned: The James Wood, of Dexter; Genesee Chief, of Roches- ter; Milwaukee, formerly Vandalia, of Oswego; Ontario, of Rochester; Pocahontas, of Buffalo; California, of Buffalo; St. Joseph, of Buffalo; Earl Carthcart, of Malden; Queen of the West, of Malden; Lady of the Lake, of Cleveland; Oneida, of Cleveland; Goliah, of St. Clair, Mich.; Delaware, of Black River, Ohio; Globe, of Maumee City; Odd Fellow, of Grand River, Mich., and Cleveland, of Cleveland. The tonnage of these last boats ranged from 300 to 400. In 1847, the Paugasset, Manhattan and Boston were all commissioned at Cleveland; tonnage respectively 320, 330, 350. In 1848, the Gen. Taylor, Sandusky, Montezuma and Charter Oak came out at Buffalo (the latter previously a vessel), the Republic, Monti- cello and Ohio at Cleveland. The following propellers have passed out of existence. There being several years during which no lake records were published, we make no attempt to furnish complete details: Goliah, burned on Lake Huron in 1848, and 18 lives lost. Monticello, wrecked on Lake Superior in 1851. Henry Clay, cargo of flour, rolled over in Lake Erie in 1851. Vandalia (Canadian), sunk by collision with schooner Fashion in Lake Erie in 1851. City of Oswego, sunk by collision with steamboat America on Lake Erie in 1852. Ireland, burned on the St. Lawrence River in 1852. Sampson, cargo of flour, wrecked near Buffalo in 1852. Oneida, cargo of flour, capsized off Erie in September, 1852, all lost, 19 lives. James Wood, cargo of flour, wrecked near Ashtabula in 1852. Genesee, burned at Rochester, L. O., in 1852. The Independence, wrecked on Lake Superior in 1853. Princeton, cargo of merchandise, sunk off Barcelona in 1854. H. A. Kent, burned off Gravelly Bay, Lake Erie, in 1854. Bucephalus, foundered on Saginaw Bay in 1854; 10 lives lost. Boston, sunk by collision with a vessel on Lake Ontario, in 1854. International, burned at Black Rock, N.Y., in 1854. Cincinnati, went ashore in a gale at Point au Barque in 1854. Westmoreland, foundered near the Manitous, Lake Michigan, in 1854, 17 lives lost. Rossiter, lost in a gale at head of Lake Michigan in 1855. Charter Oak, foundered in Lake Erie in 1855, 11 lives lost. Delaware, wrecked in a gale at Sheboygan, in 1855, 10 lives lost. Fintry, exploded off Port Stanley in 1856, 10 lives lost. Forest City, sunk in Lake Michigan by collision with schooner Asia in 1855. Oregon, exploded head of Detroit River in 1855, 17 lives lost. Lord Elgin, wrecked on Lake Ontario in 1856. St. Joseph, ashore and total loss at Fairport in 1856. Sandusky, ashore at Conneaut in 1856. J. W. Brooks, foundered on Lake Ontario in 1856; all lost - 22 lives Phoenix, burned on Lake Michigan, November, 1846, 190 lives lost. B. L. Webb, burned on Lake Superior in 1856, 1 life lost. Brunswick, foundered on Lake Michigan in 1856, 1 life lost. Tinto, burned at Kingston, Lake Ontario, in 1856. Charter, wrecked in a gale at Fairport in 1856. Paugassett, burned at Dunkirk in 1856. Protection, sunk by steamer Boston, on River St. Lawrence, in 1856. Toledo 1st, foundered at her anchors off Port Washington, 1856, 42 lives lost. Falcon, burned at Chicago in 1856. Louisville, burned off Chicago in 1857, one life lost. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [441] HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY Republic, burned at Sandusky in 1857. Oliver Cromwell, sunk in the Straits by collision with schooner Jessie, in 1857. City of Superior, wrecked at Eagle Harbor, 1857. Napoleon, wrecked at Saugeen, Lake Huron, in 1857. St. Nicholas, wrecked at Sleeping Bear in 1857. Forest City, burned off Port Stanley, C.W., in 1858. Indiana, sunk in Lake Superior in 1858. North America, burned at St. Clair Flats in 1858. Ontario, went to California in 1850. Manhattan, wrecked at Grand Marais River, Lake Superior, in 1859. Oriental, cargo of provisions, lost on Skillagalee, with two wrecking pumps, in 1859. Troy, foundered with cargo of wheat on Lake Huron in 1859, 23 lives lost. Ohio, exploded and sunk off Erie, in 1859, 2 lives lost. Milwaukee, sunk by collision with schooner J. H. Tiffany in 1859, near Skillagalee. Lady of the Lakes, exploded and sunk in Lake Erie in 1859, 2 lives lost. Peninsula, wrecked on Lake Huron in 1853. M. B. Spaulding, burned at Forrester, L. H., in 1860; bottom made into a vessel. Mount Vernon, exploded on Lake Erie in 1860, 2 lives lost. Globe, formerly side wheel, exploded at Chicago in 1860, 16 lives lost Wabash Valley, stranded at Muskegon in 1860. Dacotah, wrecked at Sturgeon Point, L. E., in 1860, and all lost, 35 lives. Jersey City, lost by same storm, with 19 lives. Ogontz, converted into a vessel in 1860. Cataract, burned off Erie, Penn., in 1861, 4 lives lost. L. L. Britton, stranded off Calumet, Lake Michigan, in 1861. Banshee, sprung a leak and sunk off South Bay, Lake Ontario, 1861, 1 life lost. Oshawa, went ashore at South Bay, Lake Ontario, 1861. Gen. Taylor, wrecked at Sleeping Bear, Lake Michigan, in 1862. Bay State, sunk in Lake Ontario in 1862, all hands lost - 22 lives. Pocahontas, wrecked at Long Point, Lake Erie, in 1862. Euprhates, wrecked on Sandusky Bar in 1862. C. Mears, sunk by collision with propeller Prairie State in Lake Michigan in 1862. B. F. Bruce, burned near Port Stanley, Lake Erie, in 1862. California, wrecked on Gull Island Reef, Lake Erie, in 1862. Jefferson, dismantled at Cleveland in 1863. Detroit 1st, dismantled and made a barge in 1863. Globe 1st, burned and sunk in Saginaw Bay in 1863, resurrected and made a barge. Vermont, sunk in Lake Erie, by collision with propeller Marquette, in 1863. Water Witch, lost in Lake Huron, with all hands, in 1863, 20 lives lost. Nile, exploded at Detroit dock in 1864, 6 lives lost. Racine, burned off Rond Eau, 1864, bottom made a bark; 8 lives lost. Sciota, sunk in Lake Erie by collision with propeller Arctic in 1864, 9 lives lost. Ogdensburg, sunk in Lake Erie by collision with schooner Snowbird, 1864. Kenosha, burned near Sarnia in 1864. Pewabic, sunk in Lake Huron by collision with propeller Meteor, 1864, 100 lives lost. Illinois, sunk at Point au Pellee by collision with propeller Dean Richmond, in 1865. Stockman, burned at Bear Creek in 1865. Brockville, wrecked at Big Point Au Sable, Lake Michigan, 1865, 3 lives lost. City of Buffalo, burned at Buffalo in 1866. Mary Stewart, wrecked at Grand Haven in 1866. Whitby, lost on Lake St. Francis in 1866. F. W. Backus, burned at Racine in 1866. Wisconsin, burned on Lake Ontario in 1867, 50 lives lost. Acme, wrecked in a gale off Dunkirk 1867. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- [442] HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY North, burned on River St. Clair 1867. Antelope, burned at Buffalo 1867, made a steam barge. Portsmouth, wrecked on Middle Island, Lake Huron, 1867. Owego, wrecked off Barcelona in 1867, 5 lives lost. Sunnyside, wrecked at Pine River, Mich., 1867. Genesee Chief, burned at Detroit in 1868, made a barge. Gov. Cushman, exploded at Buffalo in 1868, 12 lives lost. River Queen, burned at Marine City in 1868, made a tug. Hippocampus, burned on Lake Michigan, 1868, 26 lives lost. Perseverance, burned on Lake Ontario, 1868, 14 lives lost. Congress, (formerly Detroit 2d), wrecked at Thunder Bay, 1868. Queen of the Lakes, burned at Marquette, 1869. Boscobel, burned on River St. Clair in 1869, 3 lives lost. Forrest Queen, sunk by ice off Clay Banks 1869. Omar Pasha, burned at Muskegon, 1869. Avon, wrecked at Presque Isle, Lake Huron, 1869. Hunter, sunk by collision with propeller Comet in Detroit River, 1869. Belle, burned off Port Washington, 1869, 2 lives lost. Colonist, sunk in Lake Huron with valuable cargo, 1869. Equator, wrecked at North Manitou, Lake Michigan, 1869. Free State, wrecked on Graham Shoals, 1871, valuable cargo. Anna Horton, wrecked at Kincardine in 1871. R. G. Coburn, foundered on Saginaw Bay, 1871, valuable cargo, 42 lives Navarino, (new) burned at Chicago in 1871. Evergreen City, wrecked at Long Point, 1871. Alex. Watson, burned on River St. Clair, 1871. J. Barber, burned on Lake Michigan, 1871, 2 lives lost. From the foregoing, which, as previously stated, mentions those only which have become extinct, and by no means includes all, owing to absent records, including 1870, of which no report was given, it appears there were 45 propellers burned, 10 lost with all hands,7 exploded, and 120 total losses, besides 544 lives lost. The history of the Lake Marine from 1871 to the present time is summarized for the chronological table. Like the commerce of the lakes, it has increased rapidly, not so much in number as in the magnificence of the vessels employed. ==========================================================================