Francis Mills (Brig), storm damage ?, 25 Nov 1841

Milwaukee, Dec. 1.
The Milwaukee Fleet, as our citizens proudly termed the very respectable number of schooners and sloops that were owned here, and were principally engaged in the lumber trade, has met with a severe loss. All of them, except the COLUMBIA and the SAVANNAH were caught out of port by the gale, and all but two driven ashore. Some of them will be got off without suffering material injury, but many of them will be nearly, if not entirely destroyed. The following is, so far as heard, a correct list of the Upper lake craft that was injured by the gale:-
Schooner JEFFERSON driven ashore near Chicago
      " OCEAN " " " " "
      " WAVE " " " "
      " DOLPHIN " " " " Racine
      " McFARLANE " " " "
      " MANITOWOC " " Southport
      " MEMEE " " " Milwaukee
      " WENONAH " " " "
Sloop BLACK HAWK " " "
      The schr. HENRY NORTON, and the brigs FRANCIS MILLS, and OSCEOLA, heavily laden with merchandise from the lower lakes, were also caught out in the gale. The NORTON and OSCEOLA, rode out with safety. The WINSLOW was ashore at Gros Point, 17 miles below Chicago. The vessel and cargo, it is said, will prove a total loss. The WINSLOW was discharging her loading at this place when the gale struck her.
      When it is considered that all this sacrifice of property, and perhaps of life, has been occasioned by the want of harbors on Lake Michigan, surely have not the people who live around it, and are intrerested in its navigation, good grounds for complaining at the past course of Congress about harbor appropriations? And have they not, too, just cause for hoping that the sore neglect with which they have been treated, will be bountifully atoned for at the ensuing session - Courier
      A letter from Capt. Beckworth, of the WINSLOW, says that about half of the cargo had been got out and taken to Chicago. The sails of the brig had come ashore about nine miles from Chicago. The keel of the brig was knocked out, and two feet of water in the hold. ---- Buffalo Commercial Advertiser.
      Erie Gazette
      December 23, 1841