Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2012, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== NAME: Sylph REASON: wrecked in storm OTHER NAMES(s): - DATE: May 12, 1824 LOCATION: Lake Erie, North Bass Island TYPE: schooner HULL TYPE: wooden BUILDER: - OWNER: Capt. Harry Haskin MASTER: Capt. Harry Haskin TONNAGE: - LENGTH: - BEAM: - DEPTH: - CASUALTIES: 5 SURVIVORS: 0 Sandusky, May 19. MELANCHOLY SHIPWRECK - The schooner Sylph, Harry Haskin master and owner, sailed from the port on Wednesday the 12th inst. about 12 o'clock, for Detroit, with two barrels of whiskey, a wagon load of wooden dishes, and three passengers, besides his brother Charles, who assisted in the management of the vessel. In the afternoon a gale commenced from the north-west, which in the night became tempestuous; yet, no apprehensions were entertained for its safety, as its commander was a good seaman, and as the numerous islands between, it was supposed would afford a secure retreat from almost any storm. But in the evening of the 14th, two men arrived at this place in a skiff, with the distressing intelligence, that the Sylph was wrecked on North Bass Island, and that every person on board was lost! They also informed that the bodies of 4 persons, viz. Harry and Charles Haskin, a man is supposed to be _____ Roberts, of Florence, in this county; and a child about a year old, belonging to a Mrs. Hunter, who went on board at this place, had been found and buried. On Saturday morning, a number of men, accompanied by L. Haskin, brother of the deceased, left this place in the schooner Fox, Capt. Green, for the Island, and re- turned in the night, bringing the bodies of Messrs. Haskins', the sails and rigging, and all that could be saved from the wreck of the vessel. The funeral of the two bro- thers was attended on the following day, by their afflicted relatives, and a res- pectable concourse of deeply sympathizing acquaintances and friends. Harry Haskin was 23 years of age and Charles 17 - they were both promising young men. Mrs. Hunter, the mother of the child above mentioned, has not been found. It is said that she formerly resided near this place, was originally from Schoharie, N.Y., and recently from Buffalo. We are informed that the wreck exhibited a frightful appearance, on the morning of the 13th, when it was first discovered by the family of Mr. Martin, whose house was but a few rods distant. The hull lay in two or three feet of water, the stern beat in, and both masts carried away - the foremast broken in two places. The cable was coiled on the bow, and the anchor hung in its pro- per place. The sails were double reefed, but had not been lowered away, and together with the spars, were hanging to the wreck. The captain was hanging lifeless across a rope with his head and feet over the bow, and the person who owned the wooden dishes, and whose name is supposed to be Roberts, was found in the hold, under a barrel of whiskey. It is supposed that the woman was lost before the vessel went ashore; and that Charles attempted to save himself and the child, but was exhausted by the violence of the waves, as they were found on shore, but a few yards apart, about fifty rods from the wreck. --- Clarion. Detroit Gazette May 28, 1824 ======================================================================== Sources: "Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes", by Dana Thomas Bowen Detroit Gazette, May 28, 1824