The Lady Elgin
The sinking of the Lady Elgin, a sidewheel steamer, on September 8, 1860 resulted in the most open water deaths in the history of the Great Lakes. Although the exact number will never be known because the ship manifest was lost, at least 300 people died in the tragedy.
During heavy rain and against a strong head wind, the 252-foot wooden hulled steamship was rammed by a much smaller vessel, the 129-foot schooner Augusta of Oswego, at a speed of 11 knots. The Augusta’s second mate had reportedly spotted the Lady Elgin half an hour before the collision by her bright running lights, the schooner did not have running lights. As a result, a law was passed a few years later mandating that all ships crossing the Great Lakes must have running lights.
After the impact, the captain of Augusta sailed away without rendering aid, thinking there was not much damage to the Lady Elgin. However, the Augusta left a large gash in the side of Lady Elgin. Appliances and other heavy items were moved in an attempt to bring the gash above the water level and mattresses were used in an attempt to plug the hole, all to no avail. Only two small boats and one large raft managed to leave the sinking ship. Many others clung to pieces of wreckage.
Students from nearby Northwestern University and the Garrett Biblical Institute worked frantically to pull survivors ashore. Captain Wilson died heroically trying to save two women as storm-lashed winds beat against the rocks.
During heavy rain and against a strong head wind, the 252-foot wooden hulled steamship was rammed by a much smaller vessel, the 129-foot schooner Augusta of Oswego, at a speed of 11 knots. The Augusta’s second mate had reportedly spotted the Lady Elgin half an hour before the collision by her bright running lights, the schooner did not have running lights. As a result, a law was passed a few years later mandating that all ships crossing the Great Lakes must have running lights.
After the impact, the captain of Augusta sailed away without rendering aid, thinking there was not much damage to the Lady Elgin. However, the Augusta left a large gash in the side of Lady Elgin. Appliances and other heavy items were moved in an attempt to bring the gash above the water level and mattresses were used in an attempt to plug the hole, all to no avail. Only two small boats and one large raft managed to leave the sinking ship. Many others clung to pieces of wreckage.
Students from nearby Northwestern University and the Garrett Biblical Institute worked frantically to pull survivors ashore. Captain Wilson died heroically trying to save two women as storm-lashed winds beat against the rocks.