Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2022 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= NOTICE TO USERS - These files are protected by the The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. Information contained herein is provided for research purposes and may be freely linked to. Copying for redistribution or presentation by any person, persons or organization is not allowed without the written permission of the author/submitter. Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== VESSEL NAME: Amazon OTHER NAME(s): OFFICIAL NO: 105252 DATE OF LOSS: 28 October 1879 CAUSE OF LOSS: Aground LOCATION: Lake Michigan, Grand Haven RIG TYPE: Steamer, twin-screw, four masts HULL TYPE: Wood BUILDER: A. Turner, Trenton, MI - 1873 OWNER(S): Northwestern Transportation Co. MASTER: Capt. James Fraser TONNAGE: 1406 gt DIMENSIONS: 245 x 40 x 14.16 CASUALTIES: none Bound Milwaukee to Grand Haven laden with about 900 tons of flour, pork and sundries; thirty-six passengers and thirty-two crew. The weather turned savage as she neared Grand Haven. On the first attempt to enter the harbor she was wind-driven about 800 feet to leeward of the south pier and almost onto the bar. Reversing her powerful double engines the AMAZON clawed her way out of the breakers and steamed a mile or so to the north, turned, and again took aim at the entrance. She nearly made it but at the mouth of the piers she was again overwhelmed by the gale and strong undertow which swept her past the southern pier-head and bow- first onto the bar. Her stern swung around to the south leaving her broadside to the breakers. Still her engines worked and she gradually crept nearer to the south pier but couldn't escape the breakers. Every single soul aboard was rescued by the life savers as the Amazon was being smashed to pieces around them. The Annual Report of the USLSS calls this wreck "the most notable of the season." ======================================================================== Sources: Detroit Free Press - 29 & 31 Oct 1879 Northern Tribune (Cheboygan, MI) - 1 Nov 1879 St. Joseph Herald - 1 Nov 1879 Alpena Argus - 5 Nov 1879 Annual Report of the USLSS - 1880