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These records have been transcribed from microfilm copies of early Michigan
newspapers. All records are recorded as is, including mispellings and unusual
punctuation, to give the researcher a feel for the original. Since the original
newspapers were in varying states of preservation when they were microfilmed,
quality of the microfilm copy varies. In cases where a missing word has been
supplied or a guess has been made as to spelling due to gaps or poor text
quality, the text is enclosed in All articles on this page are from the Lake Superior Journal, vol. 2 no. 21, 8 Oct 1851, p. 2 PROPELLER MONTICELLO WRECKED - GREAT SUFFERING OF THE PASSENGERS AND CREW It becomes our painful duty to record the most perilous shipwreck that has ever occurred on Lake Superior, and having been a passenger on board the Monticello at the time, we are enabled to give all the particulars in relation to the loss of the vessel, and the hardships of the passengers and crew. We went on board at the Ontonogan on the afternoon of the 25th ult., on her return from Fond du Lac. She left Mr. Cash's dock in the river at half past five o'clock, bound for the Saut, with about one hundred persons, twenty odd tons of Copper from the Minnesota mine, and a few barrels of fish from La Pointe, and in coming out of the harbor one of the wheels struck a floating log very heavily, and is supposed to have loosened the packing boxes around one of the shafts. She lay on the bar a few minutes on the way out, but the sea at that time was light, and we cannot think it possible that she sprang a leak from the effects of the slight pounding on the light sand. We had been out about half an hour when the firemen discovered the water rising around the floors of the engine; they communicated the fact to Capt. Wilson, and it was made known to the passengers, but the leak was not thought to be serious, and created but very little alarm. The main pump was put into operation and on examination the Captain and Engineer seemed confident that the pump would keep her clear till we could run down to Eagle Harbor, a distance of 60 miles; but it was soon discovered that the water was fast gaining on the pump, and preparations were made immediately for raising water by means of barrels and buckets. The wind was blowing at first from the westward, but soon changed to the northwest - it was fresh but fair, and aided by sails and all the steam that it was prudent to carry, she came on at a rapid rate, still keeping on her course, in hopes to make the harbor. The passengers and crew worked steadily at the pumps, but the water continued gradually to gain on them. The most of the copper and all the other freight was thrown overboard with a hearty goodwill - the wealth of the mine seeming of but little consequence at that time. Every possible means was employed to raise water, and every passenger assisted to the utmost of his strength and ability to keep the sinking vessel afloat. Two pumps, three barrels and half a dozen pails were constantly in motion, and still the water gained steadily but surely on their efforts. We had now been out about three hours, the wind and waves constantly increasing, when it was found there was little hope of reaching Eagle Harbor; the water had risen nearly to the fires and was fast gaining ground, notwithstanding all the exertions of those on board. After remaining on her course a few minutes longer, the boat was headed towards the land, and new efforts were put forth to encourage all on board to assist at the pumps and barrels. By this time there were three feet of water or more in the hold and she moved and rolled heavily through the seas, the wood having to be shifted from one side of the vessel to the other to keep her in trim. One fire after the other rolled into the water and it became evident to the most hopeful that they would be extinguished entirely, and still it was thought the wind would take her in under the land even if the steam should fail. It was not long before the fires were reported out - the engines worked lazily for a short time, the clicking of the valves became faint and less frequent, and finally, like the dying struggle of a strong man, it ceased altogether. Wearied with incessant exertions at the pumps many gave out and retired to the cabins, seeming to prefer rest to the watery grave into which they were fast sinking. Some were even forced into the hold to fill the barrels and pails, and new efforts were put forth to induce the suffering crew and passengers to hold out an hour longer, with the assurance that we could reach the land in that time. With this hope and that influence which strong minds always exert under such circumstances, many took hold again at the pumps with a kind of desperate exertion, and for a time they even gained on the water. There was another circumstance which encouraged them to work. The boat being careened on one side by the sails, one of the fires was partially out of water, and a fire was kindled again by means of dry wood, oil, and the most combustible matter the boat afforded. This not only assisted our progress toward the land, but it stimulated the passengers to new exertions. The fires were in this way kindled and extinguished several times, and all felt that they owed much to the irregular exertion of the engines for their preservation, especailly as the wind for some time died away so as to scarcely fill the sails. For two long hours the water-logged vessel drifted in before soundings could be had. In this region it was well known that the coast was rocky and dangerous for landing and the night was too dark to enable the pilot to distinguish one place from another. A heavy sea rolled in upon the shore, and it seemed like madness to attempt to make a landing under such circumstances. Accordingly Capt. Wilson decided to come to anchor and endeavor to keep the vessel afloat till daylight; and as soon as we came into six fathoms water the anchors were let go, and she swung round heavily in the furious waves that threatened speedily to complete the work of destruction. Several insane attempts had ben thwarted for cutting away the boats, which had they succeeded, we doubt not, would have proved certain destruction to nine-tenths of all on board; for if the boats had not swamped at once they would undoubtedly have been dashed to pieces on the rock-bound shore, leaving the others to swim to shore as best they might. The pumping and bailing were continued with the last energies of a noble crew - two or three hours more would bring the light of another day, and it was understood that an attempt would be made to land soon as it was daylight. The time wore tediously away and the passengers and crew were too much exhausted to keep down the water, and still they labored to do so with what strength they had left. Some time before daylight the wind changed to the north and commenced blowing hard, directly upon the shore, and the sea increased rapidly, often times washing into the hatchways where the men were at work bailing, and it became evident to all that the vessel could be kept afloat only for a short time longer. At five o'clock it was light enough to see that it was a bold rocky shore, against which the waves dashed high and furiously, but it was too late to choose a place for landing and the Captain ordered the anchors raised. Her bow swung around to the east and in fifteen minutes she struck heavily upon the solid rock, about three hundred yards from shore. The men kept at work pumping and bailing till she struck when the waves at once swept in upon her deck and filled the hold. The largest of the two yawls happened to be on the lee side and it was soon lowered away and with a line long enough to reach the land, the first and second mates, Messrs. Lucas and Barney, W.T.Westbrook and one of the crew started for the shore. The line was made fast to a tree and they commenced the far more difficult and dangerous task of returning. The little boat seemed to be engulphed by every breaker that it met on its way, and none but strong and true hands could have saved the boat in this emergency, and no one unaccustomed to the dangers of the sea, can imagine the nerve necessary to manage a boat under such circumstances. There was anxiety depicted in the countenances of many when the first boat load of passengers went ashore. Frequently boat and passengers would disappear from sight, and then again they would rise suddenly as if they were thrown clear above the breakers into the very air. Six or eight only could be taken at a time and then the passengers were obliged to leap into the surf as soon as they could stand, as it would not do for the boat to strike the rocky bottom. Those that could stand assisted those that the surf swept down and in this way all were preserved. The larger yawl boat went ashore more than a dozen times and five times it was swamped completely, so that it had to be hauled upon the edge of the rocks and turned on its side and then in a favorable time launched again, and it never reached the wreck without being half full of water. The smaller boat, after much difficulty and delay, was got around under the lee and bailed out, but it swamped the first trip ashore and was not used afterwards. By constant and untiring exertions the passengers and crew were all landed at half past eight o'clock, and after securing the half shattered boats as best they could on the steep side of the rocky shore, they gathered around the fires to look upon the miserable plight of one another. All were drenched in the water coming ashore and, cold, hungry and worn out by the fatigues of the night and morning, they lopped down around the fires, the sorriest looking gathering that it has ever been our misfortune to witness. We found ourselves in a cedar swamp of the worst description, and with only one axe and few energies left, it was not easy to procure enough wood to keep ourselves comfortable. All had been so anxious in seeing the passengers and crew landed safely, that they had not thought about providing for our future wants, and nothing in the shape of provisions or baggage had been brought ashore. After they had looked around them for a few minutes the boat was again manned and the wreck was explored for provisions, and a few pounds of hard bread, part of a quarter of fresh beef and some boiled beef was brought in, which was, as one remarked, a "poor show" for a lunch for so many sharp appetites. After having eaten this mouthful we proposed to start with as many as possible for Eagle River, which was judged to be about 35 miles distant, and a party of 22 in number set out. It was noon when we started, with our clothes still wet and heavy and little or nothing in our pockets to eat. But we did not know how long the remaining passengers might be kept waiting for assistance or how soon the little food that was on the wreck might be washed off, and it was thought best for some to go in order to favor those that could not well walk so far, and to procure [as] soon as possible aid from Eagle River. We worked our way slowly through the cedar swamp, over logs and under logs, up ravines and down ravines, a crooked, truckless, toilsome way, till the middle of the afternoon, when we met two of our fellow passengers on their way back to the wreck. They had been on some distance further, but worn out with the hardships of their journey and with hunger, they had turned back disheartened, and advised us to do the same. But we decided to go on, and on we went through the worst cedar swamps in the world, till the thick woods began to grow dark with the shades of evening, and till a number of the party became completely exhausted with fatigue and hunger. We then concluded to encamp for the night, although we could not have travelled in all the afternoon over five miles or about a mile an hour. Without an axe a few sticks were collected and two or three poor fires were kindled. All the bits of hardbread and fresh beef, in all a scanty meal for one person's supper, were produced, and rationed out to the twenty-two persons. -- Every one ate as sparingly as possible, and, as we were without tents, we lay down on the cold ground in our wet clothes before the fire and dozed and shivered with cold till daylight. As soon as we could see to travel we proceeded on our toilsome way, and after walking about a mile we came to the trail that leads from Lake Superior to Portage lake, and saw two or three Indians pushing out through the surf a bark canoe, which they soon jumped into and paddled away before the wind. We tried to induce them to return in hopes to procure something from them to satisfy our craving hunger, but they scarcely deigned to look back. Some of our party had been from this trail to Eagle River, and it was some consolation to meet with a land-mark that was known. We now commenced walking along the beach which was composed of large pebbles, covered in many places with logs and trees that had washed in or had tumbled in from one of the overhanging banks, making it as tiresome walking as can well be imagined. Frequently, in order to keep the beach, [we] were obliged to walk within reach of the dash of the waves and were drenched with the cold flood. About two miles east of the Portage trail, we discovered near the edge of the bank, which was some ten feet above the lake, the remains of a human being. The clothes of a man, in a good state of preservation, half covered the bleaching bones, the sad, sickening unburied relics of some poor "shipwrecked brother," who had here ended his voyage "o'er life's stormy main." He had evidently chosen this spot where he could die looking off upon the lake, from whence no succor came, and where he could easily be discovered by the passer by. A description was taken by one of our party of the clothes and the few articles found on them, and we learned on inquiring at Eagle River that they were undoubtedly the remains of a Mr. Mathews, who got lost from the Algonquin Mine a few weeks previous. A brother of the deceased repaired to the spot as soon as possible and brought down the remains for burial at Eagle Harbor. The morning had not far advanced when a number of our party began to lag behind, exhausted from the effects of hunger and weakness, and it was evident that some would have to be left behind, while some of the others might possibly reach Eagle River that day and send assistance. We confidently expected to find provisions in a ware-house at Gratiot River, twelve miles from Eagle River, and all had hopes to reach there before night. A few of our party pushed forward as fast as possible to procure food and fires for those behind, but great was our disappointment not to find a particle of provisions at that place. We kindled a fire and rested for a few minutes till a number of our party came up, the larger number being still far behind. It now became more important that ever that some one should reach Eagle River, and seven of our number determined to make the trial. We had now twelve miles further to go and in our miserable condition we traveled but slowly, but the trail grew better as we proceeded, and we came in sight of Eagle River about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and, under the circumstances, a more pleasant, inviting village we do not recollect even to have seen before. Four or five of our party came through the same evening, and a few others of another party came in the next day with similar hardships. In half an hour after our arrival, Messrs. McKnight and Chamberlain, had fitted out two boats with provisions and sent them off for the relief of those at the wreck and those we had left along the shore. The same evening three other boats with provisions were sent up. The first boat returned towards midnight with as many as the boat could bring of our party left along the shore, and the next morning the boat returned from the wreck with a number of our shipwrecked companions; and during the day they all came down in small boats, except the Captain and crew and such as chose to remain to assist in stripping the vessel of all the valuable articles that could be saved. On the Tuesday morning following Capt. McKay with the schooner Algonquin, proceeded to the wreck and brought off the Captain, crew and remaining passengers, and all that could be saved of valuable property. At the insistance of the passengers, at a meeting held at Eagle River, a full statement of facts was prepared in which the most honorable mention has been made of the noble conduct of Captain Wilson on the trying occasion, and also of the other officers and crew, and individuals who rendered distinguished service, and in addition to what is there stated we need only say at this time that everything there stated is well deserved. SHIPWRECK OF THE MONTICELLO - PASSENGER'S STATEMENT At a meeting of the passengers of the steamer Monticello, on the occasion of her wreck near Salmon Trout river, on the coast of Lake Superior, the following gentlemen were appointed a committee to prepare a statement of the circumstances of said wreck, to wit:
The committee made the following report, which was unanimously adopted, to wit: At half past five on the evening of Thursday, the 25th day of September, the propeller Monticello, commanded by Capt. John Wilson, left the Ontonagon river for the Saut Ste. Marie and intermediate ports, with a load of passengers, 21 tons of copper and about fifty barrels of fish. In going over the bar at the mouth of the river, she struck astern upon a log or some other impediment; but after being winded around, was backed off, apparently undamaged. A boat was then sent ashore with two persons, who had been accidently carried off, and at 6 1/2 o'clock we proceeded on our course for Eagle river. When we left the Ontonagon the wind was S.S.W. and blowing lightly, but at a 1/4 past 7 hauled and commenced blowing freshly W.N.W., throwing up a heavy sea. At quarter past eight, the engineer notified the captain that the boat had sprung a leak. The captin immediately went aft to ascertain the position and extent of the damage, and after a thorough examination, concluded that it was in the stuffing box, but did not suppose it of so serious a nature as to prevent our making Copper Harbor. He discovered, however, that the bilge pump could not keep her clear of water, and ordered the crew to the extra pumps, not deeming any exertion on the part of the passengers necessary. The pumps were hardly at work before the water commenced rising with great rapidity -- so much so that in fifteen minutes it had covered the ceiling. The passengers were then called on to bail with pails and barrels, and every expedient was tried to relieve the vessel. For two hours the effort was successful, and no one feared that the sequel would be so disastrous as it proved; but suddenly the water increased at so fearful a rate that it was evident that she had sprung a fresh leak. When it was known that the ship was leaking, all sail was hoisted and so much steam as possible raised. We were making very good headway, when, at 10 o'clock, it was discovered that the water had reached the furnaces. Considerable anxiety was felt by the passengers and crew, yet we entertained strong hopes of saving the boat. At half past ten, the fires were extinguished and the engines stopped. The captain then ordered the deck load to be cast overboard. It consisted of fish and several large masses of copper. The order was promptly executed. In the meantime, we still kept on our course for Eagle river -- hoping at least to run her ashore on a sandy beach. The passengers and crew continued to labor at the pails and barrels -- the water still increasing in depth. At length the conviction seized all on board, save the captain, that it would be impossible to preserve the vessel, that the struggle had become one of life or death. We were three miles from shore and about thirty-five from Eagle river. The water was rising with greater rapidity than ever -- as if the leak was constantly increasing in size -- and baffled every effort to conquer it. -- The captain then ordered her to be headed for shore, hoping to run her into shoal water, and so to follow the coast as long as she could be kept afloat. In the meantime, lard oil, tallow, pork and other combustible matter were put into the furnaces, and the vessel was listed over so as to clear the larboard engine, which was got to work. The hold, however, was filled with fragments of firewood which floating loosely about, had clogged the cranks, and we compelled to stop their working until these impediments had been removed which, after considerable difficulty was effected. For a time we hoped that we could reach Eagle River, and the captain accordingly ordered her to be headed into the lake, but after a few revolutions the water had risen so high that the fires were again extinguished, and we were compelled to resume our course for the shore. At 12 o'clock the water had risen six feet. The passengers and crew were wet, cold, and wearied with labor, the land was at least a mile distant, and the leak was steadily gaining on us. The lead was heaved, but no soundings were obtained. The imminence of the danger, and the impossibility of salvation were impressed upon every mind. From this time until 2 o'clock the labor was incessant. Every man worked under the conviction that our only hope was to keep the vessel afloat until we could get her into shoal water. We were then about half a mile from the land. The captain determined to make one more effort to save the vessel. The anchors were let go, new means of getting at the water contrived and the men stimulated to do their utmost. At half past three, the boat had sunk to within a few inches of her guards and was settling fast. The wind, accompanied by rain, commenced blowing upon the shore, increasing in strength until it became a gale. The clouds were heavy and the sea continually breaking over the main and upper decks. We saw the waves dashing against her sides and could hear their roaring as they rolled past us and broke upon the rocks, but the darkness hid the shore from our sight, so that we could not tell where we were, how far from land, or what was the nature of the coast. The water began to roll into the vessel's hatchways faster than it could be bailed out -- yet all on board labored coolly and effectively. At half past five the day began to break, and discovered to us a high rock bound coast, on which the sea was breaking with a fury which seemed to defy every effort we could make at preservation. The captain then, for the first time, despaired of saving the vessel. He accordingly heaved his anchors and she gradually drifted toward the land. At half past six she struck in two fathoms water, on a rocky bottom, about three hundred yards from the shore, where the waves washed over her with incessant force, pounding her upon the rocks and threatening to dash her to pieces. The large boat was lowered away and manned by William T. Westbrook, Esq., Lewis Lucas, the first, and William Barney, the second mate, who succeeded in making a line fast to the shore, by the aid of which the boat was conducted to and from the vessel. Messrs. Westbrook and Lucas returned in her, and it was with anxiety almost amounting to fear that we watched her dangerous course through the surf. Once instant they were hidden from our sight by the sea, which would break entirely over them, the next they were borne aloft until the boat seemed to stand perpenicular. The small boat was swamped upon her first trip to the shore and cast upon the rocks. In the meantime, the vessel was pounding fearfully upon the bottom -- the bulwarks and all the offices on the weather side were washed away, the sea was making a breach across her decks, and it was only by holding on to whatever presented itself, that we were enabled to maintain our footing. Every time that the boat came off from the shore it was half filled with water, compelling us to bail it out before it could return, which, owing to the heavy sea and the difficulty of keeping it from under the vessel's guards, was a work at once laborious and dangerous. It was swamped five different times; but, owing to the manly courage of Messrs. Westbrook, Senter, Lucas and Capt. Wilson -- the last of whom was at one time nearly drowned in the surf -- was righted and again brought into use. It was 9 o'clock before every body had left the vessel; so that fourteen hours -- during which we were in almost momentary expectation of death -- had elapsed from the time that the leak was discovered until we felt that we were in a place of safety. We would say in conclusion that we deem Capt Wilson's conduct during this trying scene, prompt, prudent and brave -- that he did all that a man could do to preserve his vessel and passengers. His efforts were ably seconded by his officers, all of whom, especially Mr. Lucas, acted with courage and calmness. To Mr. Westbrook we owe a debt of gratitude we can never repay. His utter disregard of self and efficient exertions in behalf of others, attracted the attention and won the admiration of all. There were many others who distinguished themselves by their courage and promptitude. Among these were William H. Stevens, Esq., and Capt. Ripley, the pilot. Our thanks are especially due to those brave fellows who worked in the firehold, where they were exposed to the steam arising from the dying fires, bruised by floating fragments of wood, saturated with water and threatened with certain death in case of a sudden settling of the vessel. We present them to the piblic as men who are entitled to the respect of all who cherish manly courage. Their names are Alonzo Hazen, C.E. Briant, Abel D. Wood, David Holmes, Chas. Boyer, Isaac Swift, L. Ermatinger, wheelman, and Antoine Le Fleur and Archibald Marshall, the first and second engineers of the boat. We also take pleasure in mentioning Mr. Edward Gray, the clerk of the vessel, whose devotion to the important interests committed to his charge proved him at once a man of courage and worthy of the confidence of his employers. A CARD The passengers of the Monticello during her last unfortunate shipwreck, further state, that they are under the deepest obligation to their friends of Eagle Harbor and Eagle River for their prompt and efficient assistance in sending men and provisions to their relief after they had reached the shore. In order that their services may be fully appreciated, we mention that we were about ninety in number -- that we were entirely destitute of provisions -- that we were at least two days march distant from any settlement -- that the way was through an unbroken wilderness abounding in cedar thickets and swamps, and that many of us in order to avoid starvation, were compelled to set out on foot for the settlements. Mr. Thomas McKnight having learned of the condition of the passengers, sent boats loaded with provisions to relieve us. These boats picked up many stragglers upon the coast, who would otherwise have perished. Mr. Henry Chamberlain is also deserving of our especial thanks for his promptness in sending a boat and provisions to our relief; and Mr. Comfort who followed the coast for ten or twelve miles, distributing provisions as he went. To these gentlemen and the crews of the boats, who labored day and night until they reached us, we tender our sincerest thanks, and assure them that under all the changes of life wherever our lots may be cast, their names and acts shall be cherished remembrances in our hearts.
ALGONQUIN AND THE GALE The schooner Algonquin, Capt. John McKay, arrived on the 6th inst., with some forty of the shipwrecked passengers and crew of the Monticello, and all the articles saved from the wreck. Soon after leaving Copper Harbor, a heavy gale set in from the W.N.W., which fairly made the log house shake that we happened to be in at that place. Captain McKay ran in under Point Keweenaw for lee, but the wind was too much for her anchors and he was obliged to beat about under the c[oa]st for twelve hours, during which time he never left the helm. The passengers speak of the conduct of the captain and of his vessel in the highest terms. THE STEAM PACKET NAPOLEON We have never seen but one full load of passengers and that was on this propeller on her last trip down. The most of the passengers from off the Monticello and the usual number from the ports along the lake made a crowd that was better felt than described, but the kindness and attention of Capt. Rider and the Steward made up for want of room and there are many pleasant remembrances about that trip not soon to be forgotten. |