Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-06-16
From the Geauga Republican.
Burning of Steamers on Lake Erie.


from Tue NrtduSd EAeluDIicdu
Burning of SIeams RS on Lake Erie.
WRITTEN FROM MEMORY.
have often wondered why some
accounts of the most remarkable
disasters on Lake Erie have not been
preserved in substantial form for
the benefit Of posterity. | think no
record has ever been made of the
accidents OH the Lake, only in news
paper reports at the time of their oc-
currence. | hope some competent
historian will compile these facts in
book form for the benefit of the ris-
ing generation. Three such appall-
ing disasters have occurred, in which
perhaps more lives were lost than in
all other accidents on the Lake put
together. They all occurred at a
time when a vast amount of travel
went by Lake navigation, before
railroading superseded that mode of
travel. The three ill-fated boats
whose appalling fate we purpose
giving to the readers of the RepUb-
6caa, were the Washington, the
Erie and the Griffith. The contem-
plation of these awful catastrophes
is hcart-rending. Imagination can
scarcely picture scene more dread
full, a situation fraught with more
horror, than a ship freighted with
human beings, on fire at sea. The
wall of woe, the cry of despair, that
goes up from terror-stricken mortals
can better be imagined than de-
scribed. Above and around them is
the devcuring element, and beneath
a watery grave. All is terror and
consternation--nothing in that dread
hour to cling or flee TO for refuge
but the Everlasting Arm.
The first disaster of this kind that
happened on our Lake. was the
burning of the Washington, off Sill
yer Greek, in the summer of 1888.
The Washington was new boat,
built at the mouth of Ashtabula
Greek, by citizens of that place and
vicinity. Captain Brown was mas
ter. She was, burned on her first
trip from Buffalo to Detroit. My
uncle, Samuel Hale, of Greenwich,
Mass, was passenger on her from
Buffalo to Fairport. The Washing
ton was not first-class boat in style
Of finish or speed. She had an old
engine that was taken from the Ohio,
an old boat that had gone out of
use. She was gotten up on a cheap
plan, which was the cause Of the dis
aster. The fire originated from the
furnaces, which we're very insecure;
and, besides this Insecurity, and to
add to the awful catastrophe, she
had tiller-ropes instead of chains,
which were soon burnt, leaving the
burning boat entirely unmanageable.
The exact number Of lives lost was
never known, but must have been
great, for the boats of that time
were loaded down with passengers.
All the travel in that day went on
the lakes. When the scow that tow
ed the burnt hulk into port arrived
at the scene of the disaster, they
found the surface of the water
around the burning wreck strewn
with hats, bonnets, trunks and ap-
parel of the unfortunate passengers.
The loss of the Washington fell
heavily on the farmers of Ashtabu-
la, many of whom invested largely
in the enterprise, expecting to reap
large dividends from their iavest-
ment, as steamboating was profta-
bic in those days.
The next accident that occurred
on the lake was the destruction ol
the Erie, a splendid first class low
pressure steamer, built and owned al
Erie, Pa, Captain Titus, master.
have a peculiar feeling at the fate
of this noble steamer on account
of making a trip on hef to Buffalo,
May I2tb, ls4l, three months be
fore the disaster, 35 years ago nexI
August. 1t was estimated that there
was 800 lives lost. 1t was the most
appalling disaster that ever occurred
on the lake. What made it more
sad, she had on board a pleasure
party from Buffalo. She had just
been newly painted and vanished in
grand style, and was making hel
first trip after having received hel
new outfit and adornment. Perhaps
a happier company never left port
than that which was steamed out oi
Buffalo harbor on that occasion, &C
companled by a fine brass band
whose enchanting strains foated
over the still waters of the lake or
that delightful summer evening. As
that splendid floating palace rode
majestically on the smooth surface
of Lake Erie, little did that light
hearted, pleasure-seeking company,
as they tripped the light fantastic
toe" to the enlivening music of the
band on the hurricane deck, think
that, before the dawn of morning
that season Of hilarity and mirtt
would be turned to wailing and des
pair. Onward speeds the noble ship
Joy unrestrained thrills every heart
But, alas! in the midst of life We
are in death" Below, on the maii
deck, is heard slight explosion
Some demijohns of varnish had beer
carelessly placed near the boil
ers, the heat causing them to ex
plode. In an instant the boat wa,
wrapped in winding sheet of flame
The scene that followed can better
be imagined than described.