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TELESCOPE Page 59 THE SINKING OF THE PROPELLER WOCOKEN JACK MESSMER On October 13, 14 and 15, 1893 a severe northwest gale struck the Great Lakes with winds in excess of fifty-five miles per hour. There was a heavy loss of ships and lives. Two of the most important disasters, not only in value, but in loss of lives, were the Dean Richmond and the Wocoken. Much has been written about the Richmond, but very little has been recorded concerning the Wocoken. The Wocoken (80778) was a stean-driven propellor of 1,400 gross tons. She was built by T. Lauyle and Sons, of Cleveland, in 1880 for the Winslow Line. Her dimensions were 256.6' in length, 37.2' in beam, with a draft of 18.5'. The Wocoken was capable of 1,200hp.! At the time of her sinking, she was owned by John Mitchell and Company, of Cleveland. * The Wocoken began her fateful last journey much like any other run up the lakes. She had gone to Ashtabula, arriving on Tuesday, October 10.* She was loaded with 1,800 tons of coal consigned for W. L. Scott Company of Mil- waukee. * Before heading up the lakes, the Wocoken reported to Erie to pick up her consort schooner, Joseph Paige, also loaded with coal for the same port. The Wocoken reached Erie on Friday, October 13, and departed the same day with the Paige in tow.® At departure, the Wocoken had aboard Captain Albert Meswald, his wife Sarah, Captain John Mitchell, part owner of the Wocoken, Harry Olson and a crew of fourteen. ° Leaving Erie at noon, the Wocoken headed into the lake with a moderate wind from the nor'east. Unknown to Captain Meswald, a storm which had been brewing for three days was heading directly across the path of the steamer. About 3:00 pm the winds began veering, and by 9:00 pm they had become steady from the northwest and freshening. By 3:00 am Saturday, October 14, the wind velocity had reached gale force, with gusts in excess of 55 miles per hour." _-- At this time the Wocoken was in mid-lake, off Rondeau. The Wocoken continued her course, full speed ahead westerly. However, the gale had blown up such tremendous seas that the steamer could not make progress against the waves. For nearly eight hours the Wocoken labored, trying to make progress against the gale, but instead of making headway, the vessel had actually lost ground by nearly five miles.* Not only had the Wocoken lost in her attempt to make headway against Lake