William Harrison (Steamboat), U26507, aground, 26 Nov 1895

TERRIFIC GALE
      A 68-mile sou-wester let itself out in Buffalo early this morning, and it has kept up ever since. After the heavy rain subsided, the wind sprang up with startling results. The water in the lake, which has been three feet lower than the normal, is now six feet above.
      There were these results: Telephone and Western Union wires have been damaged, and a great deal of damage done along the sea-wall. The excursion steamer SHREWSBURY is beached with great damage. Squatter along the sea-wall have had their homes washed away and ruined. ................
      STEAMER SHREWSBURY BEACHED
      Fleet Of Excursion Steamers At The Foot Of Genesee Street Suffers
      The WILLIAM HARRISON Also Damaged.
      Down in the Erie Basin at the foot of Genesee Street considerable damage was done by the force of the waves, and the rise in the water. There, at the dock of the fire-tug, the water had risen nine feet in 24 hours. It being 3 feet and 9 inches below the normal early yesterday morning by measurements at the fire-tug dock.
      The water rose all the morning until noon, when it was at its highest. Then is sank perceptibly, and in sinking did the greatest damage. To the right of the fire-tug docks is anchored the fleet of excursion boats. It was there that the principle damage occurred. As the waves rushed in on the undocked beach where the boats lay, they worked the boats towards the beach. The SHREWSBURY and the WILLIAM HARRISON were principally affected. The SHREWSBURY is nearest the beach and as the waves struck her she worked her way on what is ordinarily dry land. By noon she was well on the beach.
Then the water receded. As it went down the boat was gradually left on the beach and began to tilt on her side. Word was sent for tugs, but none came. She tilted more and more and strained and groaned as the waves smashed against her. At 3 o'clock she was almost on her side, and it was thought should the water go down much more she would keel over.
      As it is, the damage cannot well be calculated. Undoubtedly the boat has suffered a serious strain and will have to undergo repairing before she will be fit for service.
      Capt. Pratt hurried about and removed all the portable objects he could reach from the settling ship, he having his winter quarters there. The boat had already suffered a very severe loss, and what the final damage will be, cannot be said, the WILLIAM HARRISON, which is moored by her side, is likely to suffer severely should the SHREWSBURY keel over. --- (part)
      Buffalo Evening News
      Tuesday, November 26, 1895
     
     
Steam paddle WILLIAM HARRISON. U. S. No. 26507. Of 377.67 tons gross; 219.92 tons net. Built Key Port, N.J., 1864. Home port, Buffalo, N.Y. 153.0 x 26.2 x 8.8
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1896