Boston (Propeller), collision, 28 Jul 1854

BOSTON Propeller, collided with unknown schooner off Oak Orchard, Lake Ontario, the Propeller sank in deep water. Property loss $35,000.
      Buffalo Democracy
      Feb. 28, 1855 (casualty list)

      ----------

Propeller BOSTON sunk in Lake Ontario, 15 to 20 miles off Oak Orchard, and 50 miles from Rochester, in collision with a three masted vessel. The BOSTON was 6 years old 259 tons burden, and owned by Crawford & Co. of Ogdensburg.
      Toronto Globe
      Aug. 15, 1854

      . . . . .

The propeller BOSTON, Capt. McNett, was run into by a schooner on Friday night last, off Oak Orchard, and sunk. She went down in 15 minutes after being struck. The propeller had a full cargo of flour, pork, wheat and corn, and was owned by the Ogdensburg Railroad Co. The passengers and crew, 25 in number arrived at the mouth of the Genesee River about 9:00 on Saturday evening, having been on the lake, in an open boat, nearly 24 hours.
      The Democracy, Buffalo
      August 1, 1854

      . . . . .

      The propeller BOSTON was run into, Saturday night, by the brig PLYMOUTH, off " Devil's Nose," Lake Ontario, and sank in deep water. Fifteen of the crew are known to have been saved, but it is probable some were drowned. The BOSTON was running in Chamberlain, Crawford & Co.'s Line, and was insured for $10,500. She was valued at $12,000. Had a cargo of flour, wheat, wool, and other western produce, value not known; is believed to have been insured.
      Cleveland Morning Leader
      Tuesday, August 1, 1854

      . . . . .

The Propeller " BOSTON," was sunk in thirty fathoms of water, by collision with the bark PLYMOUTH, off Devil's Nose, on Lake Ontario, on the night of the 28th. inst., at twelve o'clock. Passengers and crew all saved in the small boats. Insured for $8,500: in the Northwestern $5,000 ; in the Milwaukee Mutual $2,000; Cleveland Commercial Mutual $1,500.
      Buffalo Daily Courier
      Thursday, August 3, 1854

      . . . . .

LOSS OF THE PROPELLER BOSTON. -- We learn from Mr. Armstrong, one of the crew of the propeller BOSTON, that in three minutes after the collision with the PLYMOUTH, she had sunk to her upper decks. Thirteen men got aboard of the yawl, eleven aboard of the life-boat -- of whom four were women -- two escaped in a small yawl, none were lost. The distance to land was thirteen miles. The accident occurred about 11:30 P. M. The night was extremely dark and stormy. The rain poured down in torrents, accompanied with thunder and lightning. The life-boat had but two oars and no rudder. The large yawl leaked considerably and was kept free with difficulty -- the men having nothing but a hat and a bonnet to bail with. The small boat rode the storm better than either of the others. The boats all parted in the dark a few minutes after the accident. The storm blew the boats some miles further out in the lake before it abated. At daylight the American shore was barely visible. At 11 A. M., it was reached at Oak Orchard. The females were in their night cloths, and none of the crew saved a dollar's worth of property. After coming ashore the captain applied at the American Hotel in Charlotte for lodging, but was brutally refused by the landlord. They then found quarters with Major Williams. The BOSTON was struck between the wheelhouse and stern, while she was steering on her course.
      Cleveland Morning Leader
      Thursday, August 3, 1854


Steam screw BOSTON. Of 259 tons gross. Built 1847 at Cleveland, Ohio, First home port, Cleveland, Ohio. DISPOSITION.-- Lost by collision with Bark PLYMOUTH July 28, 1854 off Oak Orchard, N. Y., on Lake Ontario. No lives lost.
      Merchant Steam Vessels of the United States
      Lytle - Holdcamper List, 1790 to 1868