Caspian (Steamboat), dashed against pier, 1 Jul 1852

CASPIAN Steamer, wrecked at Cleveland piers. Total loss, with cargo and some baggage. Property loss $90,000.
      Buffalo Morning Express
      Dec. 25, 1852 (casualty list)

      . . . . .

      GALE ON THE LAKE -- CASPIAN.
      The Cleveland Plain Dealer says: - Thursday was intensely stormy, the rain descending in torrents, and the atmosphere changing from a sultry hot to cool. About 3 P. M., the lake was observed to be unusually agitated, the ground swell coming in from the N. E., and commenced blowing a gale. The sea ran high and beat the shore with tremendous force. The CASPIAN and QUEEN CITY were lying on either side of the New Pier, belonging to the C.C. & C. Railroad, waiting the cars. The QUEEN left her dock, put out into the lake, and made the old Piers in gallant style, suffering no other damage that the slight abrasion of one wheel. She left this morning at 9 for Dunkirk. The CASPIAN was lying on the west side
of the Pier, head to shore. The wind having a fair sweep at her stern, blew her around, parting her stern fastenings. She held by the head but a moment, when her bow-hawser broke, and let her drift broad side on the new Pier, where, from the top of a wave, she was let down on to spiles, tearing away one wheel and breaking through her guards. This turned her over to the sea, and in this condition she lay pounding until she took water enough to sink. But the sea kept on increasing, and she finally broke in two, her furniture and fixtures,
cabin-doors, &c., washed ashore, one pipe down, and she now lies a complete wreck. The two Ward's were present to witness the destruction. It was their first serious calamity as steamboat men, and they took it like philosophers. She was not insured, they acting on the principle that it is cheaper to lose low-pressure boats left, and one of them will probably take the CASPIAN's place forthwith. The engine will probably be saved, with much of her furniture.
      Propellers and vessels from all parts of the lake came running into port during the storm, some having received slight damage, and one lost her deckload. We expect to hear of further disasters.
      Buffalo Daily Republic
      Saturday, July 3, 1852

      . . . . .

CASPIAN, paddle wheel steamer of 921 tons, built Newport, Mich., 1851. Home port, Detroit. Stranded at Cleveland July 1, 1852. and became a total loss. No lived lost.
      Merchant Steam Vessels of the U. S. A.
      1890 - 1868 Lytle - Holdcamper List

      . . . . .

      The Messrs. Ward are raising the wreck of the CASPIAN. The parties who do the job have also made arrangements to rescue the remains of the propeller CITY OF OSWEGO. The hull of the CASPIAN is said to be uninjured.
      Buffalo Daily Republic
      Friday, July 23, 1852

      . . . . .
     
      Since the loss of the CASPIAN, a score or more of genuine wreckers have appeared in the city, appropriating without advice or counsel, whatever furniture or articles of apparel that has floated ashore from the ill-fated vessel, they can lay their hands on. An old countryman yesteday was found with several of the nice chairs, stools, etc. in his wagon, which he has very coolly appropriating for the benefit of his family. Being asked what right he had to furnish his dwelling from the misfortunes of others, without pay or the consent of the owner, he very coolly stated that he had found it, and "what a man finds is all his own." He disgorged, however, upon being pressed to do so, and went on his way, sorrowing at his loss. Unless the Messrs. Ward go in for a general distribution, they must keep a sharp look out for their furniture, &c., or what comes into the hands of the wreckers by "finding," may be difficult to find again whenever it is needed for their own benefit.
      Cleveland Plain Dealer
      July 3, 1852, 2-1

      . . . . .

The workmen engaged in raising the steamer CASPIAN have succeeded in saving the engine. The hull is found to have been broken to pieces on the piles and has been abandoned.
      Buffalo Daily Republic
      Friday, September 17, 1852

      . . . . .

      Workmen are still busily engaged on the wreck of the CASPIAN, which has been almost picked to pieces since the disaster, and is now only the wreck of a wreck.
      Buffalo Daily Republic
      Tuesday, september 21, 1852

      . . . . .

      The scow JOHN P. HALE, in attempting to make the Cleveland harbor on Friday evening, was carried by a sudden squall upon the wreck of the steamer CASPIAN and several holes knocked in her sides. The waves carried her back inside the piles, where she now lies. One of the hands jumped into the yawl to get the anchor ready for casting, when the oar was washed away, and he was carried out into the lake. Reports say he has not been seen since.
      Buffalo Daily Republic
      Monday, November 15, 1852

      . . . . .

The Cleveland Forest City of the 14th., said that efforts are still continued to remove the wreck of the steamer CASPIAN, under the superintendence of Capt. Nelson, and a brother-in-law of mr. ward.
      Buffalo Courier
      April 20, 1853
     

      Mr. Green, the diver, has made a descent, since the opening of navigation, to the wreck of the stm. CASPIAN, which lies near the C. C. and C. Railroad dock. He found her nearly imbedded in sand, but succeeded in fastening grappels to her bed plate. It is designed to blow the boat to pieces with gunpowder, after the bed plate has been removed.
      Detroit Free Press
      April 29, 1853

      . . . . .