Western Trader (Schooner), frozen in the ice, 30 Dec 1836

VESSEL IN THE ICE. - Early yesterday morning, a vessel was discovered in the ice about three miles from shore opposite this harbor, which struck the night before, and several men went out to ascertain her condition. On reaching her, they found she was the Schooner WESTERN TRADER, which sailed from Cleveland for Detroit on the 13th. December last, with a full cargo of corn, oats, spirits, butter, &c. She became entangled in the ice, near the Islands at the upper end of the lake, and has since been drifting about in the ice, without being able to reach the shore, although frequently in sight of the Canadian and American
shores. A crew of three men were found in the cabin, warmed by a stove, having cut up a plank of the forecastle for fuel. Their provisions except a small quantity of biscuit, had been spent some time, and they have subsided on corn, which they ground in a coffee mill until it was worn out, when they soaked their corn and ate it without grinding. An attempt we understand will be made to get her into this harbor, though the distance, and thickness of the ice, renders it a somewhat doubtful undertaking. - Ashtabula Sentinel, Jan. 1.
      Cleveland Daily Herald
      Tuesday, January 10, 1837

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      The Schooner WESTERN TRADER, owned at Richmond, lies opposite this port. The
hands were ashore on Sunday, - all well. It was feared that the vessel and crew were lost in the violent storm three weeks ago, but it had no effect on them - they being firmly fixed in a field of ice covering at least four acres. A strip of water, free from ice, is now perceptible, apparently half a mile from the vessel, and the intention is to cut a channel for her leading into it, and move as fast as possible up the lake. - Conneaut Gazette, n. d.
      Cleveland Daily Herald
      Monday, March 13, 1837

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      Fredonia, April 26.
The Mystery Explained:- -- The vessel seen off Erie and below for some weeks past, is one we are informed, that wintered in the ice somewhere off Conneaut or Ashtabula, and
since the ice began to move, has been moving about with it. Reports say she has two or three thousand bushels of grain aboard, while others say it was taken out of her during the winter and sledded ashore. There are three men on board, who have spent the winter in her, and who it is said, have been promised some $500 each if they bring her safe into port. She now lies 8 or 10 miles out in the lake nearly opposite Van Buren Harbor, and as the ice is broken up the men cannot get ashore, and their situation is thought to be somewhat perilous. - Fredonia Censor n.d.
      Cleveland Daily Herald
      Monday, May 1, 1837

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      ICE SHIP - The Schooner WESTERN TRADER, which has drifted about in the ice for the past six months, arrived safe at Dunkirk Harbor on the 12 inst. The four persons on board were in good health, considering the privations thay had suffered. For the last five weeks they had supported themselves on corn, and after burning the bulkheads, fore gaff, berths, &c, were obliged to consume oats for the purpose of parching corn for food. The substance of the log kept on board, will be published.
      Cleveland Daily Herald
      Friday, May 19, 1837

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