1865 — Aug 9, Pewabic collides with Meteor, sinks, Thunder Bay, Lake Huron, off Alpena, MI-40

— 40 Blanchard estimated death toll.*

— 125 Gaines, W. Craig. Encyclopedia of Civil War Shipwrecks. LSU Press, 2008, p. 56.
— 125 Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News Archive. Report News (August 2009).
— <125 Professional Mariner. “The Sinking of the…Steamer Pewabic…” Oct/Nov 2005. -- 125 Ratigan, William. Great Lakes Shipwrecks & Survivals (Revised), 1969, p. 114. -- ~125 Stonehouse, Frederick. A Short Guide to the Shipwrecks of Thunder Bay. 1986. -- 125 Thompson, Mark L. Steamboats & Sailors of the Great Lakes. 1991, 149 -- ~125 Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA. “Salvage of the Pewabic.” 2007. -- >100 Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “The Disaster on Lake Huron.” Aug 14, 1865, 6.
–75-100 NYT. “A Terrible Disaster…The Pewabic Run Into by the Meteor…” 8-12-1865, 1.
–75-100 Swayze, David D. “Great Lakes Shipwrecks P.”
–70-100 Pioneer Democrat, Saint Paul, MN. “An Appalling Steamboat Disaster.” 8-18-1865, 1.
— 75 Brooklyn Daily Eagle, NY. “Still Another Horror.” 8-11-1865, p. 5, p. 5.
— >75 New York Times. “Events in 1865. Chronicle of…Occurrences…” 12-30-1865, p. 2.
— 70 Mansfield. History of the Great Lakes. 1899.
— ~70 New York Times. “The Disaster on Lake Huron.” Aug 14, 1865, p. 8.
— 40 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 259.
— 40 Lytle and Holdcamper. Merchant Steam Vessels of the [US] 1807-1868. 1952, p. 266.
— 40 McNeil. “Pewabic (Propeller), sunk by collision, 9 Aug 1865.” Maritime Hist. …Great Lakes.
— 40 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 685.
— 40 Supervising Inspector of Steamboats (Alfred Guthrie), 8th District. Annual Rp.t, p. 223.
–33 passengers
— 7 crew
— 32 NY Times. “A Terrible Disaster…Pewabic Run Into by the Meteor…” 8-12-1865, 1.
— 30 Federal Writers’ Project. Michigan: A Guide to the Wolverine State, 1941, p. 123.

* Blanchard estimated death toll. Though we cite sources noting a range of 30 to 125 deaths we choose to follow the report of the Supervising Inspector of Steamboats (US) in his 1865 report, noting 40 deaths. We cite four other sources noting 40 deaths, perhaps following the Inspector of Steamboats as well. In that our own attempt to compile a listing of named fatalities, by looking through dozens of papers well into September, derives but 33 names, we are disinclined to accept statements of loss ranging from 70-125. There were indeed such fears and speculation early on, and some sources appear to have picked up on these newspaper sources and regurgitated unfounded (or at least unsupported) numbers.

Narrative Information

Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News: “On this day in 1865, the Pewabic, Captain George P. McKay, was down bound on Lake Huron when she was rammed by her sister ship, Meteor. The Pewabic sank with an estimated loss of 125 lives and a cargo of copper ingots, ore and hides valued at $500,000.” (Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News Archive. Report News, August 2009.)

Mansfield: “The most serious disaster of the season of 1865 was the loss of the Pewabic August 9, by collision with the propeller Meteor, both of the Lake Superior line. The Pewabic was bound down, laden with a valuable cargo of copper. She had a large passenger list. The accident occurred on Lake Huron, about six miles off Thunder bay light. It was about 8:30 o’clock in the evening, and twilight still lingered over the lake. The approaching vessels saw each other when miles apart. They kept their course until near each other, when the Pewabic put her helm aport, and had just commenced to swing when she was struck in the vicinity of the pilot house by the Meteor, cutting her down to the water’s edge. A number of men were killed in the terrible crash, both vessels going at full speed.

“Confusion followed aboard both vessels. The Pewabic had on board about 175 passengers. Many were below, but others were forward to see the Meteor pass. When it became evident that a collision was inevitable they ran for safety to the after part of the vessel. Before the vessels separated a few of the passengers on the ill-fated Pewabic jumped aboard the Meteor. Captain McKay of the Pewabic remained cool and collected, doing his utmost to save the passengers by preventing a panic. The boats were at once lowered, but within five minutes of the crash the Pewabic went down. Captain McKay was one of the last upon the wreck. Many had thrown themselves overboard, and others were still below when the heavily laden vessel disappeared from sight. The boats of the Meteor were lowered and Captain Wilson and his crew picked up many of the men, women and children struggling in the water. As the Pewabic went down her hurricane deck was forced up and floated upon the water with pieces of wreckage of all kinds. The Meteor remained in the vicinity all night, and in the morning signaled the passing propeller Mohawk, which came alongside and took the survivors to Detroit. The loss of life was about seventy.

“The Meteor was slightly injured, but proceeded on her way to the Sault. There fire was discovered in her hold, caused by the wetting of a quantity of lime which she carried as freight. To save her from total loss by fire she was scuttled and sunk in the pool of the upper lock of the canal….

“Among officers of the Pewabic who were lost was Mr. Jackson, the chief engineer. His young wife, who was making a trip with him, was also lost. He was a noble fellow, a good engineer, and he had many friends. No doubt, he might have saved himself had he made the effort, but he stood at his post of duty like a true ‘knight of the throttle’ and went down with the ship, his wife with him. He died as he had lived, unselfish to the end. In early days of steamboats on the lakes it was customary, when boats were meeting in the day time (not at night) to check down and pass close together, so as to give an opportunity to throw a bundle of newspapers from one to the other. At this particular period, during the late internal war, passengers were particularly anxious to get war news from the papers. There were no railroads and no telegraph connections, even with the upper Michigan peninsula.” (Mansfield. History of the Great Lakes. “Chapter 38, 1861-1870.” 1899.)

Professional Mariner: “At sunset on Aug. 9, 1865, Pewabic collided almost bows-on with her sister ship, Meteor, and sank quickly. With the loss of as many as 125 lives, the sinking is counted among the 10 worst ship disasters in Great Lakes history. The cause of the mishap on a calm summer evening, with the ships in full view of each other remains a mystery.

“The accident occurred about six miles off Thunder Bay Light. Pewabic was southbound from Sault Sainte Marie on her way to Detroit. Meteor was northbound. The vessels were merely 20 feet apart when Pewabic veered suddenly. Meteor’s bow cut deeply into Pewabic’s port side, just aft of the wheelhouse.

“Passengers, including Union soldiers returning home from the garrison at Mackinac Island, were preparing for a dance. Most were crushed in the main cabin where they were socializing. ‘The crash was awful and frightening,’ survivor W.H. Russell exclaimed. Within five minutes Pewabic plunged into 180 feet of dark, frigid water. The only passenger manifest went with it.

“Adelaide Brush, wearing a homemade life preserver, saved herself and others. Showing calm and courage, as well as skill as a swimmer, she became known as the Heroine of the Pewabic.

“Calvin Wright, after gallantly saving his wife, was not as fortunate. Seized in the water by a drowning woman, he was dragged to his death in a frantic struggle.

“Greyhound of the Lakes

“With a top speed of 12 knots, Pewabic often was referred to as the Greyhound of the Lakes. The sleek vessel was one of the finest passenger ships and package freighters on the Great Lakes. “Adorned with colorful banners and flags, she was fashionably decorated with skylights, stained-glass windows, satin drapery, marble tabletops, rosewood furniture, silver serving ware and ornate woodwork. Card games of whist and euchre were popular diversions during the day. In the evenings, a string orchestra provided entertainment on the promenade deck.

“Built in 1863 by Peck & Masters at Cleveland, Pewabic was powered by twin steam engines that turned 8-foot propellers. The 200-foot vessel had a beam of 31 feet. Her oak hull was 2 feet thick and was strengthened by a wooden arch running down the centerline. She regularly transported more than 100 passengers and 1,000 tons of cargo….

“Pewabic and Meteor were constructed for the Pioneer line of the Lake Superior Transit Co., operated by John T. Whiting. Both were built in 1863 and were about the same size. The only difference was that Meteor was designed with a side arch, Pewabic with a center arch. Each had a crew of about 20.

“Every week either Pewabic or Meteor visited the Lake Superior copper country. An 1865 advertisement promised ‘irresistible attractions for the speculator and geologist, recovery of perfect health for the invalid and abundant recreation for the sportsman.’ Michigan was the first major copper mining region in the United States. Copper was shipped in various forms, including ingots, barreled stampings and large masses of ore. The array of uses included sheathing for ship bottoms, boiler plates for locomotives, spikes, tubing, wiring, coins and even buttons.

“Precious red metal

“On her final voyage, Pewabic was carrying a valuable cargo of copper. There were also rumors of 18 kegs of silver hidden onboard and thousands of dollars in cash and jewels in the safe. The precious red metal, as well as persistent scuttlebutt regarding other treasures, made her the target of many salvage attempts…. In the fall of 1865, a man named Billy Pike took the first dip to try to find Pewabic. Using the customary hard-hat diving helmet and suit invented in 1835, he died in the attempt….

“A board of inquiry convened in Detroit to determine fault. On both ships, the first mates were on watch. ‘We altered course to pass port to port,’ Pewabic’s first mate, George T. Cleveland, testified. ‘For some unknown reason, Meteor turned in the same direction and struck us.’ Meteor’s first mate, Byron Mills, agreed. ‘The wheelman thought Pewabic was crowding. I gave the order to turn hard aport. We hit a minute later.’

“Meteor’s captain, Thomas Wilson Jr., arrived in the pilothouse moments before the collision. ‘If both vessels had kept to their course,’ he observed, ‘we should have gone past each other.’ Pewabic’s captain, George P. McKay, had just come up from the engine room. ‘Meteor drew close. She was trying to avoid us. I gave orders to stop the starboard engines and hold the wheel hard,’ he explained. ‘Then came the crash.’

“Characterized as domineering and overbearing, Cleveland bore the brunt of the criticism. Meteor’s chief engineer asserted that Cleveland was deceived by the drizzly weather and misjudged the distance between the two vessels. A crewmember aboard Pewabic insisted Cleveland noted the nearing of the ships, became rattled and gave the wheelman the wrong order. Cleveland was held guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to prison. McKay’s master’s license was revoked. On appeal, the decisions were overruled and both were exonerated.

“The mystery of why the ships were on courses that brought them so close remains unsolved. One theory outlives all others. In 1865, vessels — especially those affiliated with the same line — often tossed newspapers, messages and small packages from ship to ship while passing. Passengers were eager to obtain the latest news from ports still ahead, but masters weren’t willing to stop just to swap mail.

“Most likely, Pewabic and Meteor arrived at an accustomed rendezvous point. On that evening, perhaps while maneuvering to exchange dispatches, the ships came too close. From the decks of both vessels, passengers were waving expectantly to each other, one eyewitness recalled.

“Pewabic remains on the bottom of Thunder Bay’s Shipwreck Alley….Although Meteor survived the crash, her fate was sealed by the collision. Two days later, water making its way through the leaking hull contacted its cargo of lime, igniting a fire. To extinguish the flames, Meteor was scuttled and sank in 12 feet of water. No lives were lost. The ships’ captains went on to become influential in Great Lakes shipping circles. Wilson founded Wilson Marine Transit Co. McKay managed the Cleveland Transportation Co. fleet and was a founding member and treasurer of the Lake Carriers’ Association. He died in 1918 at 80 after being presented with a souvenir walking cane made from oak timbers and copper salvaged from Pewabic the previous year.” (Professional Mariner. “The Sinking of the…Steamer Pewabic…” Oct/Nov 2005.)

Supervising Inspector of Steamboats: “A collision occurred on the evening of the 9th of August off Thunder bay light, on Lake Huron, between the propellers Meteor and Pewabic, by which the Pewabic was sunk, and thirty-three of her passengers, with seven of the officers and crew, were drowned. This collision, occurring upon a clean, open lake, in a smooth sea, each vessel provided with proper and excellent signal-lights, in full view of each other – and when lights were first made, if each had kept her proper course, would have passed full a mile away – yet approaching each other and colliding under full steam, at a speed of ten or twelve miles an hour, without ever signaling each other by whistle or otherwise, presents, apparently, a case of most aggravated wrong.

“The public very properly called upon the inspectors to give it the most impartial and searching investigation, which was done by the local board of Detroit, and the licenses of Captain George P. McKay and George Cleaveland were revoked for mismanagement, and Mr. Cleaveland arrested and put in prison.

“The facts, substantially, are as follows: The two steamers made each other’s lights when five or six miles off, and without change of course would have passed full a mile apart; each vessel made the other’s green and bright light; the Meteor very properly continued straight forward in her proper course; the Pewabic changes her course a little, but not enough to show her red light, and a little more insensibly crowding up toward the Meteor until within two lengths of her, when she suddenly put her wheel ‘hard a-port’ and showed her red light for the first time, crossing the Meteor’s bows; the next instant the collision occurred. On the instant of showing the red light the captain of the Meteor gave one blast of the whistle, that he would go to the right or starboard gang to stop the starboard engine, and put his wheel ‘hard a-port.’ The time for all this did not exceed one minute, or perhaps a half. The engineers were both at their posts at the instant the engine stopped, and reversed instantly and without embarrassment; and as soon as it was discovered that the Pewabic was sinking, the life-boats of the Meteor were lowered in good order, and life-preservers thrown over for any who might need them, and, in fact, everything was done by the officers and crews of both vessels, after the collision, that coolness and good judgment could do, the Meteor remaining all night in rendering assistance. The conduct of Captain Wilson and all his officers and crew was highly commended by the board of inspectors, and the course he pursued throughout the whole was approved.

“It may be proper to add that these boats were among the very best of their class anywhere, almost new, and supplied with everything required for the safety of passengers – life preservers, life-boats, fire equipments, pumps, &c. The reason why so many were drowned was that the boat sunk so quick that many were unable to get out of the cabin. Most of those who were taken out of the water had life-preservers on. One or two women were found floating in the water, but dead, showing the efficiency of the preservers – if not in these instances of saving the life, at least floating the body.

“Captain McKay, of the Pewabic, whose license had been revoked for mismanagement in the case of the collision, appealed to the supervising inspector for a hearing, which was given, and it appearing satisfactorily that he was regularly and prop4rly off watch until within one or two minutes of the collision, and that under the existing circumstances he found a collision inevitable, and that he took the best measures he could to ease off the shock, and save as far as possible his vessel, the decision of the local board was reversed.” (Alfred Guthrie, Eighth Supervising District, Supervising Inspectors of Steamboats. Annual Report of…1865, pp. 223-224.)

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA: “One of the most famous Thunder Bay shipwrecks was a highly prized target for salvage. The wooden propeller Pewabic was lost on August 9, 1865 after a collision with her sister ship the Meteor. The vessels had drawn close together in order to pass messages and packages (a common practice of the day) when the Pewabic suddenly cut across the Meteor’s bow. The Pewabic sank in just a few minutes in 180 feet of water, with the loss of an estimated 125 lives. Fifty passengers were rescued by the undamaged Meteor.

“The Pewabic was carrying a valuable cargo of copper from the Keweenaw Peninsula mines, making her a target of numerous salvage efforts. Her cargo consisted of copper ingots from four mines (Quincy Mining Co., Hancock Mine, Pewabic Mining Co., and the Franklin Mine), a quantity of barrel copper (chiseled from a large mass of native copper), and several large pieces of mass copper weighing up to 16,000 pounds each. The total copper cargo approached 200 tons. The Pewabic also was carrying 75 tons of specular hematite (iron ore) from the Marquette area and 25 barrels of fish.

“The great depth of the wreck caused many of the salvage efforts to end in failure, and some in death for the divers (at least five have died while attempting to salvage the wreck). Some of the copper bars were saved from smelting by Mueller Brass employees in Port Huron when about half the cargo was recovered during World War I. The most successful salvage attempt was made in 1974 by Busch Oceanographic. Virtually all of the copper has been recovered and some artifacts, including an anchor, are on display at the Jesse Besser Museum in Alpena.” (Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA. “Salvage of the Pewabic.” 2007.)

Newspapers

Aug 12, NYT: “Detroit, Friday, Aug 11. A collision occurred between the steamboats Pewabic and Meteor, at 6 ½ o’clock on Wednesday while passing, six miles from shore. The Pewabic was struck on her port bow, just aft of the pilot-house, and sunk in three or four minutes.

“The boats were running at full speed, and struck with such terrible force as to crush in the entire bow of the Pewabic. At the time the accident occurred it was scarcely dark, and the boats saw each other six miles apart. When approaching, they exchanged signals, and the Pewabic bore off to pass, but the Meteor, for some unexplained reason, turned in the same direction and struck the Pewabic.

“A number of the passengers on board the Pewabic were killed by the crushing of her timers. A few jumped on board the Meteor before the Pewabic sunk. Life-boats were immediately lowered from the Meteor, and picked up those who were not carried down with the wreck.

“One hundred and seventy-five to two hundred persons were on board of the Pewabic at the time of the disaster. Seventy-five of the passengers and twenty-three of the crew were saved. The loss of life cannot be correctly ascertained as yet, but it will be near one hundred.

“The Meteor remained near the scene of the disaster till morning, in the hope of picking up any persons that might be still floating on pieces of wreck; but none were found.

The propeller Mohawk, passing down, the survivors were transferred to her from the Meteor, and brought to this city.

“The Meteor was but slightly injured, and continued her trip to Lake Superior.

“The following are names of passengers known to be lost: [23]

Miss F. Horner, Houghton [MI];
Miss Frank Rider, Houghton;
Miss Taylor, Titan, Ohio;
Caroline M. Wright, Detroit;
Mrs. William Wells, Ann Arbor [MI];
Wife and four children of Edward Swan, Canada East;
Wife, son and daughter of Henry Litcheil, Lake Superior;
Louis James, Rockville;
Miss Hannah Kelly, Illinois;
William Ottell, Cleveland;
Miss Julia Rainboy, Tiffin, Ohio;
Mrs. Hall and two children, Copper Harbor [MI]
A. O. Neal, Cleveland;
Thomas Blackwell, Ontonagon [MI]
John Tracy, Cleveland.

“Names of the crew that were lost: [9]

First Engineer, R. G. Jackson and wife, Detroit;
First Cook, Samuel Bowles, Detroit;
Greaser, 11, Chaler [unclear], Cleveland;
Deck hand James Riley, Cleveland;
Chambermaid Mary…, Cleveland;
Third porter Big Jones, Cleveland;
Watchman Robert Margrave, Cleveland;
Bar-tender Daniel Earls, Marquette [MI]….

“The Pewabic was built last year, and was valued at $100,000. She was insured for $60,000.”
(NY Times. “A Terrible Disaster…The Pewabic Run Into by the Meteor…” Aug 12, 1865, 1.)

Aug 11, NYT: “From the Detroit Advertiser, Aug. 11….

“The following is a statement made by Mr. Russell, the Secretary of the meeting of the survivors, held on the Mohawk, which steamer brought them down to the city….

At about 8:30 o’clock on Wednesday evening, 9th inst., the propeller Pewabic, Capt. McKay, on her down trip, about eight miles from shore, came in collision with the Meteor, Capt. Wilson, on her upward voyage. The Meteor struck the Pewabic just under the pilot house, literally smashing up her bow. The boats were running at the rate of about 12 miles an hour, and the crash was awful, causing the Pewabic to go down in the short space of three or four minutes. A number were killed by the crashing timbers. But few of the passengers of the Pewabic had time to jump from her deck upon those of the Meteor, ere the wreck of the Pewabic sunk entirely out of sight beneath the seething waters. The sight was terrible and heart-rending as the cries and groans of the unfortunate passengers rose upon the rolling wells of the surging billows. The life boats of the Meteor were lowered at the time, and a number saved from untimely and watery graves.

The night was foggy and forbidding, yet at the time and before the collision occurred, they were seen respectively by each six miles off. There were about 175 or 200 passengers on the Pewabic. We have the names of 75 of the passengers saved and 23 of the crew. We are unable to ascertain the number of lives lost; as near as it can be estimated it is supposed to be about 70….

“Only one dead body, that of Mrs. Wells, of Ann Arbor, was found among the floating debris of the wreck….

“The Pewabic and Meteor both belong to the Pioneer Lake Superior line, Messrs. J. L. Whiting & Co., managers. The Pewabic was built in Cleveland, by Peck & Masters, and came out in October, 1863, but was not entirely finished until the Spring 1864….”

“Additional Particulars–Interesting Incidents–Statements of Survivors–The Theory of the Cause.

“….Capt. McKay is not only an accomplished navigator, but a gentlemen whose probity has never been doubted, and the truth of any statement he might make would not be questioned, but he maintains a reticence which is somewhat remarkable under the circumstance. He could certainly throw light upon the matter, but, so far as we know, he does not even state whether he was on watch at the time. The sacrifice of one hundred lives is no small matter. If there is any one at fault, the public should have the facts, and will have them, and if all concerned are blameless, the publication of the truth can inflict no injury upon any one….” (New York Times. “The Disaster on Lake Huron.” Aug 14, 1865, p. 8.)

Aug 14, WI State Journal: “The recent disaster by which the propeller Pewabic was lost, with over one hundred lives, occurred off Thunder Bay Island on Lake Huron….” (Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “The Disaster on Lake Huron.” Aug 14, 1865, 6.)

Named Pewabic Fatalities

1. Blackwell, Thomas Passenger Ontonagon, MI
2. Bowles, Samuel Pewabic first cook Detroit, MI
3. Chaler, Henry Pewabic greaser Cleveland OH
4. Earls [or Cares ], Daniel Pewabic bartender, Marquette, MI
5. Hall, Mrs. Passenger Copper Harbor, MI
6. Hall, child one of two Passenger Copper Harbor, MI
7. Hall, child two of two Passenger Copper Harbor, MI
8. Horner [or Hosmer ], Miss F. Passenger Houghton, MI
9. Jackson, R. G. Pewabic Chief Engineer; Detroit, MI
10. Jackson, Mrs. Wife of chief engineer; Detroit, MI
11. James, Louis [or Lewis ] Passenger Rockville
12. Jones, Big Pewabic third porter; Cleveland, OH
Levan family of Canada (see Swan)
13. Kelly, Miss Hannah Passenger IL
14. Litcheil [or Mitchel ], Mrs. Henry Passenger
15. Litcheil, “ daughter of Henry Litcheil Passenger
16. Litcheil, “ son of Henry Litcheil Passenger
17. Margrave, Robert Pewabic watchman; Cleveland, OH
Mitchel (see Litcheil family of three)
18. Neal, A. O. [or W. O’Neill ] Cleveland, OH
O’Neill (see Neal above)
19. Ottell [or Ottrell ], William Passenger Cleveland, OH
20. Rainboy [or Ramsey ], Miss Julia Passenger Tiffin, OH
21. Rider [or Ryder ], Miss Frank Passenger Houghton, MI
22. Riley, James Pewabic deck hand; Cleveland, OH
23. Swan [or Levan ], Mrs. Edward Passenger Canada
24. Swan, child one of four Edward Swan children Passenger Canada
25. Swan, child two of four Edward Swan children Passenger Canada
26. Swan, child three of four Edward Swan children Passenger Canada
27. Swan, child four of four Edward Swan children Passenger Canada
28. Taylor [or Tyler ], Miss Passenger Tiffin, OH
29. Tracy, John Passenger Cleveland, OH
30. Wells, Mrs. William Passenger Ann Arbor, MI
31. Wright, Calvin M. Passenger Eastern NY
32. Wright, Caroline M. Passenger Detroit, MI
33. Last name not noted, Mary Pewabic chambermaid; Cleveland OH

Sources

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Supervising Inspector of Steamboats (U.S.). “Report of the Supervising Inspector of Steamboats,” in United States Secretary of the Treasury. Report of the Secretary of the Treasury of the State of the Finances for The Year 1865. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1865. Accessed 12-27-2020 at: https://fraser.stlouisfed.org/title/annual-report-secretary-treasury-state-finances-194/report-secretary-treasury-state-finances-year-1865-5509/report-supervising-inspector-steamboats-302219

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