Falcon (Scow), aground, 1 Oct 1869

FALCON Scow, cargo lumber, ashore at Cleveland; total loss.
      Marine Disasters on the Western
      Lakes during 1869, Capt. J.W. Hall

      . . . . .

Our lake marine did not escape the gale of Monday (10/4), which wrought so much destruction of property in different parts of the country, as will be seen from the following statement, taken from the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "During the night the gale increased in fury, beaching one schooner and 3 scows as they were trying to effect entrance into the harbor. First came the MAID OF THE MIST, Capt. Speed, at 9:00 P.M. She struck the west pier and knocked some of her bulwarks off, and then swung around upon the beach, landing high and dry. Slightly damaged. She was bound from Buffalo to Fremont, light. Next came the scow J.C. HILL, at 11:00, with coal from Buffalo to Cleveland. She missed the pier and harbor and beached west of the river. The damage will bot be great, as she is filled with water, which holds her firmly to the ground. Between 1 and 2:00 this morning the schr. J. A McDonald of Montreal, coming in light, ran into the west pier crib, knocking her nose entirely off. She is lying easy, and can be removed without difficulty. The scow FALCON was the next victim. Her officers were deceived by lights on the beach bound vessels, causing her to strike fair and square against a pier, knocking her to pieces. She had a cargo of lath and shingles, from Alpena, consigned to Sturvevant, Bell & Cartwright. The boat and cargo are a total loss. The boat was not insured. About the insurance upon the cargo we have no knowledge.
      Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
      October 6, 1869 3-5



LOSS OF THE SCOW FALCON. -- A letter from the captain of this vessel received at Detroit, informs the Post that on the morning of the 6th inst., during the gale, while attempting to make Cleveland harbor, she missed her bearings in the darkness, the range lights on the pier not being burning. She went ashore near the west pier about 2:30 o'clock A. M. After pounding about till 9 o'clock her masts fell, and she became a total wreck. Her cargo of shingles and lath are strewn along the beach. She was owned by the master, John Sinclair and other parties of this city, and was valued at about $4,000. No insurance.
      Toledo Blade
      October 9, 1869