1856 — July 17, MI steamer Northern Indiana burns, Lake Erie off Pt. Pelee, Ontario-40-58
— 40-58 Blanchard estimated death toll.*
–140-150 Weekly Argus and Democrat. “Steamer Indiana Burned,” July 22, 1856.
— 58 Buffalo Commercial Advertiser. “1856 Casualty List,” Jan 31, 1857; cited in MHGH.
— 58 Maritime History of the Great Lakes (MHGH). “Northern Indiana, (St. P.), 1856.”
— 56 Buffalo Evening News. “Burning of the Indiana,” 17 July 1902; cited in MHGH.
— 56 Mills. Our Inland Seas, 1910, p. 148.
— 56 Morrison, John Harrison. History of American Steam Navigation. 1908, p. 375.
— 30-56 Swayze, David D. “Great Lakes Shipwrecks N.”
— 30-56 Swayze. Shipwreck!…Directory of…Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. 1992, p. 172.
— >50 Daily News, Kingston, Ontario. “Burning of the Northern Indiana.” 7-23-1856, p. 4.
— 40-50 Lafayette County Herald, WI. “Burning of…Steamer Northern Indiana.” 7-31-1856.
— 50 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 683.
— 30-50 Sullivan Democrat, IN. “Terrible Disaster on Lake Erie!” 7-26-1856, p. 4, col. 2.
— 46 Blanchard compiled listing of fatalities from sources cited herein.
— >40 Augusta Daily Chronicle and Sentinel, GA. “By Telegraph.” 7-30-1856, p. 3, col. 1.
— 40 Little. Cyclopedia of Classified Dates. “[US]. 1856, June 2-1857 – Feb 11.” P. 181.
— 40 Simonds. The American Date Book. 1902, p. 100.
— ~40 Superior Chronicle, Superior, WI. “Terrible Calamity,” July 29, 1856, p. 2.
— 30-40 New York Times. “Another Dreadful Disaster,” July 18, 1856.
— 38 Blanchard compilation of bodies reported as recovered or counted floating in the lake.
— >30 Harper’s Encyclopedia of United States History. “Wrecks…Great Lakes.” NY, 1902.
— 30 New York Herald. “Burning of the Steamer Northern Indiana on Lake Erie.” 7-18-1856, 1.
— ~30 Weekly Democratic Standard, Janesville, WI. “Burning of No. Indiana.” 7-28-1856, 1.
— 28 New Era, Newmarket, Ontario. “The Steamer Northern Indiana.” 8-1-1856, p. 1.
— 27 Lehigh Register, Allentown, PA. “A Day of Horrors.” 7-30-1856, p. 2.
— 26 Chronicle & Sentinel, Augusta, GA. “The Lake Erie Disaster.” 7-25-1856, p. 2, c. 5.
— 26 Whitewater Gazette, WI. “The lake steamer Northern Indiana…” 7-24-1856, p. 2, c.3.
— 21 St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. “Steamer Northern Indiana Burned.” 7-26-1856, p. 2.
— <20 Auburn Weekly American, NY. “Burning of the Steamer Northern Indiana.” 7-30-1856, 1.
-- ~20 La Crosse National Democrat, WI. “News Items.” 7-25-1856, p. 2.
-- 15-20 Janesville Gazette, WI. “By Telegraph.” 7-19-1856, p. 3, col. 5.
-- 18 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 257.
-- 18 Lytle and Holdcamper. Merchant Steam Vessels of…[US] 1807-1868. 1952, p. 242.
-- 15 Mansfield (Editor). History of the Great Lakes (Vol. 1). 1899, p. 676.
* Blanchard estimated death toll: A very large range of fatalities is noted in sources cited herein; from a low of fifteen reported in Mansfield, to a high of 140-150 reported by the Weekly Argus and Democrat. “Steamer Indiana Burned,” July 22, 1856. Most of the reporting at the time, however, ranged from thirty to fifty lives lost. Given this uncertainty we attempted to compile a listing of individuals identified at the time as lost. This listing, though far from definitive, came to 46 deaths. If one counts the reports of bodies reclaimed from the lake at various times, that counting comes to at least thirty-eight (twenty-five counted, though not recovered, at one time).
In that our addition of reports of bodies recovered (at least 38) is very close to the forty, or thirty to forty, or forty to fifty deaths noted by several sources, we choose to use forty deaths as the low-end of our estimated death toll.
For the high-end of our estimated death toll we choose to follow the Maritime History of the Great Lakes website, which, it would appear, accepts the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser report of fifty-eight deaths of 1-31-1857 (“1856 Casualty List”).
Narrative Information
Alchem Inc.: “Northern Indiana: Passenger steamer bound from Buffalo to Toledo caught fire 7/17/1856 5 miles East of Point Au Pelee Island and burned rapidly to the water line. Fortunately the fire started just before noon on a dead calm day with several other vessels nearby. Mr. Wetmore, the first mate who was in command of the vessel that day, acted with great coolness in directing the crew and passengers from the bow. After an initial panic which caused the loss of the only unburned lifeboat due to overloading, life vests were issued and inflated and doors, planks, chairs and anything else which would float were thrown overboard. Reportedly, Mr. Wetmore was the last person into the water. The steamers Mississippi, Republic, and several sailing vessels soon arrived to rescue the floating passengers. Swayze claims from thirty to fifty six people lost their lives in this wreck. The contemporary newspapers report that of the approximately 100 passengers and 50 crew on board few women and children perished. The hull of the burned vessel was towed into Pigeon Bay by the Republic and left in 10 feet of water. 41deg 53.87', 82deg 30.59'.” (Alchem Inc. Lake Erie Shipwreck Map “B” and Index.)
Mansfield: “1856….Burned Under Full Steam. – The passenger steamer Northern Indiana burned to the water’s edge Thursday morning, July 17, off Point Pelee, Lake Erie, while on her passage from Buffalo to Toledo. The Passengers and crew numbered about 150, and of these 15 were lost. The water was smooth, and only a light wind was blowing. Captain Pheatt had been detained by sickness at Buffalo, and the first mate, named Wetmore, was in command. The officers were taking tickets when the alarm of fire was given. The steamer Mississippi was about five miles astern, the propeller Republic at a greater distance, and a schooner bear by. The mate rang the bell to stop the engine, but the engine room was apparently deserted, for no attention was paid to the signal, and the machinery remained in motion, carrying the burning boat rapidly away from the schooner, and driving the flames aft. Life preservers, consisting of pieces of plank, with two ropes attached to each, were hastily taken from the hurricane deck till the flames drove back the men. The forward deck was then cut to pieces with axes and the fragments thrown overboard, and about one=half the passengers at intervals jumped into the water and clung to the floats. When the engines of the Northern Indiana finally stopped, the Mississippi and the Republic came up and rescued the survivors.” (Mansfield (Editor). History of the Great Lakes (Vol. 1). 1899, p. 676.)
Swayze: “Bound Buffalo for Toledo [with ~175 passengers & crew], she caught fire at 11 am and was consumed quickly, burning to the water’s edge. Most of the passengers and crew escaped to the water and were picked up by the steamers Mississippi and the propeller Republic and several smaller vessels. Passenger list was lost with the boat, so the number lost and the number aboard was never determined accurately. The Republic towed the smoldering hulk to a reef near where the wreckage of the steamer Mayflower…lay. Bodies were pulled out of the lake for several weeks after the disaster.” (Swayze. “Great Lakes Shipwrecks N.”)
Newspapers
July 17: “Buffalo, Thursday, July 17. The steamer Northern Indiana took fire about 11 o'clock this morning, while on her voyage to Toledo and burned to the water's edge. Thirty to forty of the passengers are reported as being lost….There are 15 or 20 missing who were known to be on board, but it is supposed they were saved by the propeller Republic and a schooner that assisted in picking up the passengers.” (New York Times. “Another Dreadful Disaster,” July 18, 1856.)
July 18: “The Buffalo papers of Thursday, 18th inst., contain a dispatch received by telegraph from Detroit, to the effect that steamer Northern Indiana of the Southern Michigan line, always regarded as the best and fastest boats on the lake, destroyed by fire. The steamer was on up trip from Buffalo to Toledo. She left Buffalo on Wednesday evening at 9 0 o'clock, and when off Point au Peele, on Thursday forenoon at 11 o'clock, she took fire and burned to the water's edge. It is supposed that about forty passengers were lost.” (Superior Chronicle. July 29, 1856, p. 2.)
July 23: “The bodies of eight persons lost by the burning of the Northern Indiana, were picked up today by the steamer Plymouth Rock. Two were burned and six drowned.” (Burlington Daily Hawk Eye and Telegraph, IA. “Latest News Items.” 7-25-1856, p. 3.)
July 24: “The steamers Northern Indiana and Mississippi, the one of the Southern Michigan, the other of the Michigan Central Railroad, left Buffalo about 9 1-2 P. M., on Wednesday last. At about 11 o'clock on Thursday morning, the Northern Indiana was observed to be steering very wide, and shortly after" fire was observed issuing amidships. When the fire was discovered, she was about four miles ahead of the other steamer, and when at last the Southern Michigan reached her, the most heart-rending spectacle presented itself! ‘The water black with human beings struggling for life.’
“The bows of the burning steamer were packed with men, women and children, some screaming with mortal terror, others holding up their little ones in their arms and vainly calling for help. The utmost expedition was used by the officers of the Mississippi in lowering the boats, but ere they arrived at the burning vessel, many an unfortunate had sunk to rise no more.
“The loss of life was chiefly among the ladies and cabin passengers. A young lady lately married who was saved, reported the loss of father, mother, husband and sister….
“No blame is attached to anyone. The origin of the fire is unknown. The 1st officer had charge of the boat at the time, (who conducted in a humane manner toward the sufferers, and acted with bravery), the Captain lying sick in Buffalo. The boat was not insured, and the passengers saved lost everything, but their lives….
“The number of persons on board the Northern Indiana, including passengers and crew, is supposed to have been about 160….
“We glean additional particulars in relation to this sad affair, from the Detroit Free Press. The existence of the fire was first discovered by smoke appearing in the fire-hold. The wood-work of the cabin and engine room burned like tinder. In a very short time from the discovery of the fire, the whole width of the steamer, in the vicinity of the middle gangway, was in a blaze. The flames spread rapidly aft, driving those on that portion of the steamer to the necessity of jumping into the lake. A boat on her bow was got ready, but as she was cleared from the deck preparatory to being let down, it was filled so full of frightened persons that it broke loose from the cranes, precipitating them into the water, and then falling on them, causing, probably, all of them to lose their lives.” (Illinois State Chronicle, “Burning of the Northern Indiana,” 7-24-1856.)
July 25: “Buffalo, July 25. – Four more bodies have been recovered from the wreck of the Northern Indiana, and it I now believed that at least forty perished by the disaster.” (Augusta Daily Chronicle and Sentinel, GA. “By Telegraph.” 7-30-1856, p. 3, col. 1.)
Aug 6: “Capt. Wye, of scow Sophia, from Port Lally, who arrived at Cleveland on Saturday night, says the Herald, reports passing some twenty-five of the bodies of the lost from the Northern Indiana. He had no conveniences on board for taking care of them, and therefore made no attempt to pick them up. They were all in an advanced state of decomposition, and it would have been almost certain death to him and his crew. Five of the bodies were in one group, the others separate.”
(Auburn Weekly American, NY. “More Bodies from the Northern Indiana.” 8-6-1856, p. 4.)
Aug 16: “Letters have been received in this city from Malahide, Elgin Co., C.W. [Canadian West?] stating that a number of bodies have floated ashore at that place, supposed to be among those lost by the Northern Indiana disaster. Two of them are supposed, from the description, to be the father and husband of Mrs. Akroyd, the English lady, whom it will be remembered lost all her family. One of these bodies was that of an old man apparently sixty years of age, and the other a young man. Nothing was found upon them by which their names could be identified. Each of them had money in belts around their person, the money being mostly gold sovereigns, and in all about $1,700. We understand that Mrs. Akroyd has been written to in Illinois where she is stopping among friends, and she will probably be here in a few days, and go hence to Malahide with a view to identify the money and effects, which are in the hands of Mr. McDormand of that place. ‘’ Detroit Advertiser.” (Daily News, Kingston, Ontario. “The Loss of the Northern Indiana.” 8-16-1856, p. 3.)
Aug 23: “Buffalo, Aug. 23….Three more bodies of persons lost by the destruction of the steamer Northern Indiana, have floated ashore at Westfield [NY]. One of them has been identified as that of Miss Jennings, of Waverly, Illinois, who was on her way home from Philadelphia, where she had been attending school.” (Augusta Daily Chronicle and Sentinel, GA. 8-27-1856, p. 3, col. 1.)
Named Fatalities in Sources Cited Herein
(Yellow highlighting indicates inclusion in Chronicle & Sentinel (Augusta GA) listing.)
1. Ackreyds (Ackroyds? ) Mr. England Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
2. Ackreyds, Mrs. Mary (Akroyd? ). England Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
3. Ackreyds, child 1 of 2 “ Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
4. Ackreyds, child 2 of 2 “ Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
5. Father of Mary Akroyd “ Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
6. Mother of Mary Akroyd “ Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
7. Blanchard, Mrs. Eliza Augusta, ME Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
8. Bressly, Joseph Passenger, Frankfort, Clinton Co., IN attorney. (See Presslin)
9. Burke, Michael Fireman, Buffalo, NY Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
Cary, Eugene Greenbush, WI Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
10. Cary (or Carey ), child of Eugene “ Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
11. Castle, J. A. Syracuse, NY St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
12. Charlevers, L. V. Montreal, Canada St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
13. Choate, Nathan Adrian, MI St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
14. Clary, F. W. Mishawaka, IN St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
15. Cole, J. H. Little Falls, NY St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
16. Commerford, Nicholas. Rochester, NY Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
17. Croman, J. Buffalo, NY St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
18. Dawson, George Brockport, NH Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
19. Dodman, Rev. J. N. West Needham, MA St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
20. Doty, Milo Hartford, CT St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
21. Dunn, D. T. Elmira, NY St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
22. Ellsworth, J. Saratoga Springs, NY St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
23. Farie, Thomas Fireman, Buffalo, NY. Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
24. Fistvalle (Fortvalle? ), Augustine. Buffalo, NY. Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
25. Goodrich, C. Syracuse, NY St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
26. Gray, Daniel Rome, ME. Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
27. Jennings, Miss. Waverly, IL Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
28. Ladayard (Leyard? ), Mrs. Mary. England Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
29. Mace, E. Dayton, WI St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
30. McQuilton, James Salem, PA St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
31. Nims, Henry Tully, NY Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
32. Nims, child of Henry Tully, NY Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
33. Paine, Benjamin Ogdensburg, NY St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
Presslin (Presley? ), brother of Rev. J. M.; of Indiana. NY Herald. 7-18-1856, p.1, c. 5.
34. Riley, Fred Rochester, NY St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
35. Skeggs, E. A. St. Mary’s, LA St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
36. Smith, G. (Indiana watchman ) Buffalo, NY Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
37. Stowell, Josiah Hudson, MI St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
38. Thomas, Hezekiah Buffalo, NY Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
39. Turner, Sewall Rome, ME Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
40. Warner, C. H. Rochester, NY St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
41. Wood, Lewis St. Louis, MO St. Paul Weekly Minnesotian. 7-26-1856, 2.
42. Unnamed woman Louisville, KY Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
43. Unnamed child of woman; Louisville, KY Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
44. Unnamed “coal-heaver” Northern Indiana Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
45. Unnamed deck hand Northern Indiana Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
46. Unnamed child Sacramento Daily Union, CA. 8-16-1856, 1.
Sources
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