J. Y. Scammon (Schooner), aground, 18 Apr 1848

Schooner J.Y. SCAMMON, wrecked near Chicago, Lake Michigan, during the gale of April 18th. 1848, with total loss of vessel and wheat cargo - about $15,000 - two men lost.
      Casualty List for 1848
      Erik Hyle,s private papers

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      IMPORTANT LAKE INTELLIGENCE., Chicago, Aprl 12.
The bark UTICA came in with the loss of her mate, and was leaking. The schooner WOODGRIDGE with loss of deck load. The Prop. St. JOSEPH and CALIFORNIA arrived safe last night.
      The SCAMMON ashore 12 miles from here, a total loss with cargo. The DOUSMAN ashore here, but will be got off.
      Prop. MANHATTAN ashore at Racine, badly injured. Cargo of wheat lost.
      prop. CLEVELAND with loss of deck load, passengers and baggage in port in Milwaukee.
      The PRINCETON left last night for Buffalo. Three lives lost during the gale, 2 on SCAMMON and the mate of the UTICA.
      Buffalo Daily Courier
      Monday, April 24, 1848


The J.Y. SCAMMON ashore 12 miles from Chicago, is a total loss, with cargo. The cargo of the SCAMMON consisted of 6,500 bushels of wheat, 200 bbls. port, 500 bbls flour, and 399 hides. At the time the gale sprung up, she was loading outside the piers and was compelled to slip from her anchorage, and run out into the lake. She was owned by C. Walker, Esq., and was insured for $6,000. There was an insurance on her cargo of $2,500. The value of vessel and cargo was about $13,500. Assistance was promptly rendered from the city. A large number proceeded immediately to the scene of the disaster, taking with them a boat, lines, &c. It was not until almost one o'clock in the morning, that those on shore
succeeded in getting a line to the vessel, having become wet and chilled in their efforts. A boat was finally manned, and succeeded in reaching her in safety, when all but two of those on board were rescued, being in a suffering condition, and all well nigh exhausted. It was supposed a greater part of those would have perished before morning.
The two persons whose lives were lost on the J.Y. SCAMMON, died from exposure. One was Charles Walker, a nephew of Charles Walker, merchant of Chicago, who owned the vessel---the other was a boy named Morris Lawrence, the cook on board -Chicago Journal
      Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
      Monday, April 24, 1848

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The Chicago Democrat, April 20, states that the schooner CAMMON is broken in two. There were 20 persons on board when she went ashore, two of whom perished. Mr. C. Walker of Chicago was washed overboard and another of the name of Morley died from exposure. The SCAMMON was insured for $6,000; her cargo for only $2,500, which will not cover the loss.
      Buffalo Daily Courier
      Tuesday, April 25, 1848


FROM THE SCAMMON.---The schooner MINT arrived here last night, laden with damaged wheat, flour, and hides, from the wreck of the J.Y. SCAMMON.---Chicago Journal
      Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
      Tuesday Evening, May 2, 1848

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      MARINE. - From Capt. Dorr, Inspector for the Buffalo Mutual Insurance Co., just returned from the west, we learn that the schooner J.Y. SCAMMON, beached at Calument early in the spring, and abandoned to the underwriters, has been sold to Charles Walker, Esq., of Chicago, and efforts have been made to get her off, but without success. She is therefore left for the present, to the mercy of the elements.
      Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
      Thursday evening, June 29, 1848

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      The schooner J.Y. SCAMMON ashore at Calumet, near Chicago, has also been hauled off and taken to Chicago. She is to be cut in two, lengthened 30 feet and will have a centre board put into her.
      Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
      Saturday evening, August 19, 1848

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