Oliver Richmond (Brig), struck pier, 27 Apr 1854

RICHMOND, OLIVER Brig, driven against breakwater at Chicago. Property loss $5,000
      Buffalo Democracy
      Feb. 28, 1855 (casualty list)



Chicago, April 28. -- We experienced here yesterday one of the most violent and severe gales that has ever been witnessed on this lake. Several schooners have been driven ashore and others have gone to pieces.
      The schooner MERCHANT came to anchor off the break water and soon capsized, four of her men were drowned and three were taken off by life-boats. The schooner ROCKY MOUNTAIN driven ashore near Car works and went to pieces. No lives lost.
      The OLIVER RICHMOND went ashore on break water, and has gone to pieces.
      The schooners P. HAYDEN; LIZZIE THROOP; ARROW and MAINE are also wrecked. Seven lives lost.
      Buffalo Daily Republic
      Friday, April 28, 1854


DESTRUCTIVE GALE AT CHICAGO. - A despatch by Speed's Telegraph Line yesterday afternoon, states that a furious gale sprang up at Chicago on Thursday P. M. The schooners ROCKY MOUNTAIN, MERCHANT and OLIVE RICHMOND, were driven ashore or on the breakwater and are total losses. Four of the Merchant's crew were frowned. The ARROW was also driven on the breakwater, the MAINE cut her foremast away, and other vessels stood out into the lake. Yesterday morning, the gale was subsiding, but many disasters on the Upper Lakes are feared.
      Buffalo Daily Courier
      April 29, 1854


HEAVY GALE AT CHICAGO. Apr. 27: 7 p.m.==The most violent gale ever experienced is at present raging here. About 12 o'clock the schooner ROCKY MOUNTAIN, loaded with lumber, was driven on shore near the American Car Works, and immediately went to pieces. All hands saved.
      The OLIVER RICHMOND was driven on the breakwater, her masts carried away, and is fast going to pieces; crew saved.
      The schooner MERCHANT came to anchor off the breakwater and capsized, three of her crew were taken off by the boats, four of them were drowned.
      The schooner FAME lies at anchor a short distance from the breakwater, her forehead cut away.
      The ARROW was driven on the breakwater about dark, the crew leaped off when she struck.
      The MARY put out into the lake and is standing off.
      The LIZZIE THROOP and P. HYDEN are within a few rods of the breakwater. It is feared they will go ashore before morning.
The POWHATTAN from the Lower Lakes came in safely about noon. The balance of Lake Erie fleet supposed to be on this lake, are expected before morning. Serious disasters are apprehended. The gale is apparently increasing in violence.
      LATER -- 12 M. Schooner ROCKY MOUNTAIN, OLIVER RICHMOND and MERCHANT have gone to pieces. P. HYDEN, LIZZIE THROOP, ARROW and MAINE wrecked. Seven lives lost
      Cleveland Morning Leader
      Saturday, April 29, 1854


      THE LOSS. -- The Chicago Tribune estimates the loss by the late gale on Lake Michigan as follows:-- The OLIVE RICHMOND, total loss, valued at $2,700, cargo, $2,350, no insurance; ROCKY MOUNTAIN, total loss, valued at $2,000, insured for $1,000, cargo $1,000, no insurance; the MERCHANT, total loss, valued at $2,000, cargo $600, no insurance; the ARROW, valued at $3,000, insured $1,000; the P. HAYDEN, valued at $5,000, insured $4,000, cargo $1,200 no insurance; the LIZZIE THROOP, valued at $4,500, cargo $1,200, no insurance; the MAINE, valued at $7,000, insured $6,000, cargo $2,250, no insurance; the A.C. VAN RAALTEE, damage about $200, by striking the break water.
      Buffalo Daily Republic
      Thursday, May 4, 1854