L. B. Crocker (Schooner), freshet, 1 Feb 1857

CROCKER, L.B. Schooner, drifted out of Oswego Harbor in a freshet. Property loss $150
      Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
      January 28, 1858 (casualty list)


      FRESHET IN THE RIVER - SIX VESSELS AND A CANAL BOAT
      CARRIED INTO THE LAKE - NINETEEN PERSONS IN PERIL.
The thaw that dry in Thursday and continued till yesterday, melted the snow very rapidly
and has raised the water in the river considerably, causing a very rapid current some distance below and above the bridge. About four o¹clock on Sunday morning the current became so strong on the west side of the river near the bridge, owing to the coffer dams under the middle of the bridge, that some ten vessels, and a canal boat with a man, his wife and boy on board, and the tug Bloore were forced from their moorings near the bridge and set adrift. Six of the vessels, BELLE SHERIDAN, TITAN, BELL ADKINS, WIDE AWAKE, and THOMAS KINGSFORD, with the canal boat, were carried into the Lake, and have not been recovered. The other vessels and the tug were recovered and are safe. The L.B. CROCKER lies athwart-ships above the Island, safe, and the CANTON is aground on the old coffer dam near the bridge.
The City Hall bell rung the alarm, and early in the morning Capts. Kimball and Fitzgerald, with two large yawl boats and a crew of seven men each, and sails, lines, &c., put out in pursuit of the vessels, with the intention of bringing them back by sail, if found. They have not returned or been heard of at this writing, late Sunday afternoon. The steam tugs of Captain Dobbie, the PAGE and REED, were put in readiness by adjusting the machinery, &c., and fired up, and started in pursuit in ten hours from the occurrence, about five o¹clock in the afternoon.
The wind, which has been southerly for three days, chopped around to the northwest, in the afternoon and blew quite fresh, accompanied with snow, and serious apprehensions are felt for the safety of the men out in the Lake as well as the vessels.
The vessels were moored in a dangerous location, the worst current in the river, and fears were expressed for their safety on Saturday.
      Oswego Daily Palladium
      Monday, February 9, 1857