History
The Ashland was a two-masted wooden brig that was built in 1844 by D. Sanford in Cleveland. It had the specifications of 104 feet in length, 24 feet in beam, and 9 feet in depth, weighing 201 tons.
On December 12, 1885, the Ashland met its demise in Pigeon Bay, located 20 miles below the mouth of the Detroit River on Lake Erie. The brig was stranded after running aground on a rock, causing a breach in its hull. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties resulting from the incident.
At the time of the loss, the Ashland was carrying a cargo of corn and was bound from Toledo to Detroit. The vessel was owned by Bronson & Crockett, based in Detroit.
It’s worth noting that the provided information includes additional incidents involving the Ashland. In March 1849, the brig sustained damage amounting to approximately $1,500 due to a spring freshet in Chicago. However, it was stated that the Ashland fared better than other vessels involved in the incident, even though it suffered significant damage.
Another mention of the Ashland relates to an ashore incident at Point Au Pelee, Lake Erie, reported on February 28, 1855. The vessel, carrying railroad iron and bound from Kingston to Toledo, ran aground. Assistance was dispatched in the form of a tug and lighter to aid in its recovery.
The sources for this information include the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, Buffalo Democracy, and additional newspaper clippings.
