Levant (Schooner), sunk ?, 14 Oct 1871

Schooner LEVANT, wrecked off Sheboygan; crew lost one, vessel a total loss.
      Marine Disasters on the Western
      Lakes during 1871, Capt. J.W. Hall

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      SCHOONER LOST. - The schooner LEVANT was wrecked off Sheboygan during the
gale on Saturday night. The captain, mate and two of her crew and a passenger
were lost.
      Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
      Tuesday, October 17, 1871

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      S C H O O N E R L E V A N T W R E C K E D.
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      ALL HANDS LOST EXCEPT ONE
      Conduct Of Captain Todd.
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      (From the Milwaukee Sentinel, Oct. 16th.)
      The schooner D.P. DOBBINS arrived last evening with information that the schooner LEVANT, of Chicago, was wrecked off Sheboygan during the gale on Saturday night.
      The DOBBINS had experienced a rough sea during the night, and at dawn, just as the captain had retired, word was sent that a wreck was in sight, from which a cry of distress was heard. Capt. Todd immediately returned to the deck, and, after a careful survey of the situation, placed his mate, John Bolen, in charge of the yawl. The latter has sustained a break during the storm, but this was quickly repaired by a wad of oakum covered with canvas which was tacked over it Three seamen accompanied the mate, one of them to bail the water from the boat, the captain having provided for every emergency.
      On reaching the wreck, Mate Bolen found but one of the seamen able to help himself. The latter took the rope thrown to him, and fastened it about a companion who was lost by entanglement with the rigging. Mate Bolen then secured the seaman who had attenpted to save his companion, after which he lassoed a man named Peter Brandt, and managed to get him into the boat. The remaining men were lashed to the rigging, and were dead when the yawl reached the vessel. By this time the blood was streaming from the hands of Mate Bolen, who deemed it wise to return with the men her had recovered.
      Capt. Todd found it very difficult to keep his vessel in the vicinity of the wreck, but managed to recover both the boat and its crew. The sea was running very high at the time, the yawl " bobbing on the waves like a cord," but through the excellent seamanship of Capt. Todd all turned out well. One of the rescued men, Peter Brandt, of Chicago, lived but fifteen minutes after reaching the deck. Everything was done to revive him, but an exposure of nine hours, with the waves surging over him at every breath, had exhausted and
chilled him beyond the hope of recovery.
      The remaining seaman, Peter Thornum, of Chicago, soon came to, and stated that the LEVANT was capsized at 9 o'clock on the previous evening. She was loaded with shingles, shipped at Manistee for Chicago, and was in command of Capt. Patrick Lyons, of Chicago, a native of Toronto. The captain and mate, Robert Brown, also a single man, boarder at the Fort Donelson House, and three seamen, were left with the wreck, all being dead when
the yawl reached them. The names of the balance of the crew Mr. Thornum was unable to furnish. All resided in Chicago, and two were married men. Capt. Todd, on arriving in port, informed the authorities of the occurrence and requested them to take charge of the body of Brandt, which will be done this morning.
      The LEVANT was owned in Chicago, and was uninsured. The captain and crew of the DOBBIN are entitled to credit for their nobel rescue of the survivors. The fact that another vessel passed the wreck without attempting the rescue of the men, on account of the heavy sea, shows the risk assumed by the gallant captain in launching his yawl and keeping his large and unweildy vessel in course to pick the boat up on her return.
      Captain Todd reports the lake covered with shingles and railway ties in the vicinity of Sheboygan.
      Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
      Wednesday, October 18, 1871