Jennie Graham (Schooner), capsized, 1 May 1872

Sarnia, May 1- The schooner JENNIE GRAHAM, of St. Catharines, capsized in a sudden squall on Lake Huron, 18 miles from Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. Capt. Duncan Graham, one of the deck hands, and the cook were drowned; the remainder the crew were saved. The vessel lies near the beach, and will likely be recovered.
      The Toronto Mail
      Thursday, May 2, 1872

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      CAPSIZING OF THE SCHOONER JENNIE GRAHAM of St. CATHARINES.
      Three Lives Lost. -- Full Particulars.
      The squall of Tuesday afternoon, which threw dust into the eyes of landsmen, played more serious pranks upon the water. Wednesday morning, the mate and some of the sailors of the schooner JENNIE GRAHAM. hailing from St. Catharines, Ontario, arrived at this city from Lakeport, and reported the capsizing of the vessel about 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. The squall came from the west struck the GRAHAM when she was some eight miles from land in Lake Huron. They were fifteen or twenty miles north of this city. She capsized immediately and turned keel uppermost, remaining in that position for over an hour. The steward, name unknown, was in the cabin and was not seen after the vessel went over. One of the sailors, a Norwegian, name unknown, was also lost. The remainder of those on board, seven in number, clung to the vessel for nearly an hour, when she turned over on her side, they were able to get at one of the boats, remaining in this for a half hour or moore, when they were picked up by the schooner SWEEPSTAKES and taken to a point within two or three miles of Lakeport, which they reached in their boat. Of the ten persons on board the GRAHAM three therefore were lost, seven saved, but we understand that one of the latter had a broken leg. The survivors arrived at lakeport between six and seven o'clock Tuesday evening. The JENNIE GRAHAM was owned by Capt. Graham of St. Catharines and Capt. Duncan Graham who sailed her. She had a capacity of 20,000 bushels of grain. At the time of her disaster she was bound for Saginaw to load lumber. It is possible that the vessel can be righted and saved.
      Port Huron Times
      Thursday, May 2, 1872
     
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Sarnia, May 3 - The barque JENNIE GRAHAM, capsized, was towed into port by the tugs GLADIATOR and MARTIN, under the supervision of Capt. Douglas, of the Western Insurance Co., Toronto, where the vessel was insured. The body of the cook is still in the cabin.
      The Toronto Mail
      Saturday May 4, 1872

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The capsized schooner JENNIE GRAHAM was towed into Sarnia Friday afternoon. When brought into the river she had been righted up so that her spars were well above water, and also one side and part of her deck. When she rounded towards Sarnia the current heeled her over again and she was dragged to the dock with not enought dry fpr a wild duck to find footing on. She is to be righted up and pumped out as soon as possible, and will afterwards go to the dock of the Port Huron Dry Dock Company.
      Port Huron Times
      Thursday, May 9, 1872



Sarnia, May 1. -- The schooner JENNIE GRAHAM, of St. Catharines, capsized in a sudden squall on lake Huron. eighteen miles from Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. Capt. Duncan Graham, one of the deck hands, and the cook were drowned; the remainder of the crew were saved. The vessel lies near the beach, and will likely be recovered.
      Toronto Mail
      Thursday, May 2, 1872
     


Sarnia. - May 3. -- The barque JENNY GRAHAM, capsized, was towed into port by the tugs GLADIATOR and MARTIN, under the supervision of Captain Douglas, of the Western Assurance Company, Toronto, where the vessel was insured. The body of the cook is still in the cabin.
      Toronto Mail
      Saturday, May 4, 1872
     
     
Sarnia, May 10. -- The schooner JENNIE GRAHAM, which capsized on lake Huron, still lies here partly under water. The work of raising her is progressing, and when raised she will be taken over to Muir's & Livingstone's dry dock, at Port Huron, for repairs, which is estimated will cost $3,000.
      Toronto Mail
      Saturday, May 11, 1872
     
     
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Sarnia, May 10 - The schooner JENNIE GRAHAM, which capsized on Lake Huron, still lies here partly under water. The work of raising her is progressing, and when raised she will be taken over to Muir's & Livingstone's dry dock, at Port Huron, for repairs, which is estimated will cost $3,000.
      The Toronto Mail
      Saturday, May 11, 1872

     
On April 30, 1872, Capt. Duncan Graham was drowned when his vessel, the schooner JENNIE GRAHAM, capsized in a great storm on Lake Huron about twelve miles from Sarnia. His widow was left with a family of two girls and six boys, the youngest being seven months old. His last words, as he was swept away on a plank among the ice floes, were 'May God take care of my wife and children.' More than thirty years later a friend of the family heard the sailors on a Great Lakes boat singing the following song:

"The Schooner Jennie Graham "

How sad and dismal is the tale
Which I relate to you,
About the Schooner Jennie Graham
Her officers and crew.

Who sank within the stormy deep,
To rise in life no more,
Where winds in raging tempests sweep
Lake Huron's rock-bound shore.

They left St. Catharines on the lea,
Their glad songs did resound;
They were so full of life and glee,
And westward they were bound.

Twas little thought the cords of death
Would snare them on their way;
That they, so full of life and health,
Should in Lake Huron lay.

Oh Captain Graham, your many friends
Will long for your return;
They'll vainly look for your return
Back into Glencoe town.

They'll surely miss your genial smile;
Your hand they'll clasp no more,
For in fathoms deep you are fast asleep
On Huron's rock bound shore."
      Courtesy Lachlan MacCrae