Tecumseh (Schooner), aground, 11 Nov 1835

Unprecedented Storm - The effects of the gale which was mentioned yesterday, are more disasterous than we had anticipated. The water rose to a height unknown to our oldest inhabitants, covering the entire flats several feet in depth. On the east of Main street,
extending nearly to Seneca street, it presented the appearance of an immense lake, furiously raging, threatening destruction to the inhabitants of that section. Boats were continually in motion, bringing the people from their houses, which in many instances were overthrown, or floating before the wind - some entirely demolished, and others were carried a considerable distance from their former location. The amount of individual suffering is beyong calculation, and we fear a number of lives have been lost, although our information upon that point is so contradictory, that we are unable to give particulars. The damage sustained by the owners of lumber and wood is immense. The merchandise upon the wharves was greatly damaged, and a large amount destroyed. The shipping in the harbor, also, suffered much. The scene throughout was grand and melancholy. The fury of the wind - the raging of the waters - the dashing of the spray - the confusion which prevailed throughout the day, combined, rendered the scene truly grand and awful.
      The following are the particulars as far as we have been able to gather them:
      As to the amount of damage clone to the shipping, it is difficult in the confiusion of the moment, to ascertain, The schooner TECUMSEH, is on the point of the pier, and will probably be lost. Two vessels, names unknown, are ashore in the Bay, south of the light house.
Several vessels came in during the height of the gale, sails and spars much injured, and by running foul of other craft in the harbor, have been seriously damaged. The steamboat UNITED STATES, came in during the gale, and was run into by the COMMODORE PERRY, both of which were much damaged by the concussion. Several steamboats, the SANDUSKY, OHIO, CHARLES TOWNSEND, HENRY CLAY, and SHELDON THOMPSON, are aground, and must have sustained more or less injury. The sohooner FLORIDA, of Oswego, lies high and dry, about 20 feet upon the beach, near the ship canal. The BENJAMIN RUSH is upon one of the docks.
The wharves have suffered more or less, and we trust, that the attention of the forwarding merchants, who generally own the docks, will be turned to the erection of Stone Wharves. The greatest sufferers, are the heavy merchants in the lower town, who had not time to remove their effects from their cellars.
The water was at least two feet higher than it has been for the lest thirty years, No fears were entertained until too late to adopt measures for security.
The bodies of two men have been found, and are said to be recognized as the last two of the number that were drowned a short time since, in crossing the creek.
A bridge over the canal, on Prime street, is broken down. One canal boat, lies partly on the bank of the canal slip, broken through the centre. Schooner ECLIPSE lost one mast, and schooner CANADIAN lost both. The steamboat W. F. P. TAYLOR received considerable injury, by being run into by the schooner HELEN, Several, buildings were blown down, and many chimnrys destroyed. The roof was blown off the new county Clerk's Office. Many other accidents happened during the storm, which are of an unimportant nature, and also, those in relation to which we have not heard the particulars. --- Buffalo Corn. Adv.
      Cleveland Daily Herald
      Wednesday, November 17, 1835

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      The Gale - The schr. TECUMSEH lays aground at the head of the pier, and the COL. BENTON, one of the finest vessels on the lakes ran ashore several miles above, with the loss of her deck load. - Buffalo Republican.
      St. Thomas Liberal
      November 26, 1835

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      Mr. Editor:
      Sir - I understand that a report is circulating, that the old lighthouse was lighted up during the late gale, and that in consequence, the schr. TECUMSEH was ?????, and driven on the pier. This is entirely a mistake; the said lighthouse was not lighted up at all, that night, and the new one could not be, until the wind and sea had subsided, and the water had fallen, which was about 10:00 in the evening.
      S. Russell
      Nov. 16 Keeper of the Light House
      Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
      November 16, 1835

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