W. A. Chisholm (Schooner), U26232, capsized, waterlogged, 1 Nov 1969

The schr. W.A. CHISHOLM which went ashore on the 22d ultimo at Cedar Creek, has been got off and is now at Cedar Creek, in Pigeon Bay, waiting for a cargo of staves for Buffalo, a heavy snow storm set in with a gale from the southeast before she could make canvas she dragged anchor about 2 miles and struck. To keep her from pounding and going up high and dry she was scuttled and lay easy on the sand. After the gale abated she was pumped out and the anchors carried out the length of the chains, and by means of the winch she was worked into deep water. There had been but 18 inches of water where she lay, and she was worked 600 ft. to find water deep enough to float her. In the mean time a tug had been sent for and BOB HACKETT came to her assistance, but her lines were not long enough to reach the schooner from deep water. After reaching clear water one pump kept her free and she was taken under canvas to Detroit, where she was docked and repaired and after taken to Windsor. During the entire period the weather was intensely cold, and when she started for Detroit her decks were covered with a solid foot of ice, and her rigging on the weather side was deeply encrusted. During the time that she lay aground the men on board suffered severely, and heroic efforts were made by persons on shore to reach the vessel, as her boats had been washed from her davits, and one man named James Topp rode on horseback within a hundred feet of the vessel's stern in his effort to reach her, but was compelled to give it up. The CHISHOLM is owned in this city, and commanded by Capt. Michael Carr.
      Buffalo Morning Express
      December 17, 1869 3-3


Schooner W.A. CHISHOLM. U. S. No. 26232. Of 99.38 tons. Home port, Ashtabula, Ohio.
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1869