Here are accounts of storms that claimed numerous ships. I've linked the ships
mentioned in the accounts to these accounts.
THE STORM OF SATURDAY
The Most Disastrous Ever Known on Lake Michigan
THE SHORE FROM KEWAUNEE TO BAILEY'S HARBOR STREWN WITH WRECKS
AND THE BODIES OF DROWNED SAILORS
The storm that swept Lake Michigan last Saturday was the fiercest and
the most disastrous to lives and property of any within the memory of
the oldest inhabitants. It began about midnight on Friday and continued
with unabated fury until Sunday morning. Vessels were torn from their
moorings and buried upon the beach by the head winds and waves, others
foundered in the heavy seas and went down with all on board, while those
that managed to ride out the tome under the lea of some friendly point
were dismasted, their deck-loads washed overboard or were otherwise
seriously damaged. A great many sailors were lost from vessels that
weathered the storm by being washed overboard by the heavy seas that
continually broke over the vessels and for the time completely engulfing
them. The number of lives lost in this way and by the wrecking of the
vessels cannot at present be estimated, but will, no doubt, reach a
hundred or more. Disasters have been frequent this year but the number
caused by Saturday's storm will nearly double the entire number of
disasters that have occured during the season.
Capt. Edwards, of the scow Blue Belle, who reached this port yesterday
from North Bay, reports the following disasters at that place:
The schooner Floretta from Chicago, lumber laden, dragged her anchor
and collided with the Louisa McDonald. The McDonald had her bulwarks
stove in and was afterwards driven ashore by the wind.
The schooner Guido Pfister of Milwaukee, loaded with corn went ashore
and is leaking badly. The crew were unloading corn all day Sunday to
enable the vessel to get off and to prevent her from breaking up.
The schooner Two Fronds(?), loaded with salt, is also ashore and a total
wreck.
Schooner Jenny Bell, Milwaukee, is ashore and filed with water.
Schooner L.M. Elsworth, loaded with coal, beached and water logged.
Schooner Geo. Murray of Chicago, and schooner Montauk collided, carrying
away the bowsprit and ???boom of the Montauk and broke her ?hartems
badly.
The Murray was also most damaged.
The schooner Naider of Chicago, lost her rudder and anchors.
Schooner Lucy Graham lost her bowsprit.
The schooners Arary and Brunson, both of Chicago, had their canvas badly
damaged and six other vessels dragged anchor to within a short distance
of the rocks and would undoubtedly have gone ashore had the storm lasted
an hour longer.
Capt. Edwards says that during the thirty years he has sailed the lakes
he never saw such a severe storm.
The scow Dunham lost her deck load and went ashore at White Fish Bay.
The schooner H?ngarian broke in two during the storm and is a total wreck
and is ashore at the same place.
The schooner Perry Hannah sprung a leak and went to the bottom at
Jacksonport.
The City of Woodstock is ashor at White Fish Bay.
The Barge Brunette, loaded with 48,000 bushels of corn, is on the beach
at Baileys Harbor in three and one-half feet of water. The captain of the
Brunette had his leg broken and was otherwise badly bruised by being
thrown against the cabin.
The schooner Lotta May, loaded with wheat, and the schooner L.J. Conway,
are both on the beach high and dry at the same place.
The schoooner Reciprocity, loaded with posts and poles, is on the beach
at Foso?ro and has gone to pieces.
The Lawrence and Ebineezer, both stone laden, are total wrecks.
Schooner Gazelle, damaged considerable, and the schooner Contest are
ashore at Mud Bay.
The schooner Ralph Campbell collided with a stone scow, cutting the scow
in two and sinking it, also receiving considerable damage herself.
The steam barge Mary Groh lost her deck load of lumber, 100 barrels of
apples and other fruit during the storm, and had a hard time, her supply
of fuel being exhausted, she had to put into Manitowoc with her one sail.
She was bound from South Haven to Chicago and had fifteen passengers on
board.
Four or five bridge piers between Anhapee and Baileys Harbor were almost
totally wrecked.
Manitowoc County Chronicle, Tuesday, October 19, 1880
(Contributed by Tyler)