Site Description #
- Steamer
- 225ff3 60m
- 190ft Lengths
- Lake Erie
History #
The ACME, a wooden propeller ship, was built in 1856 by G. Hardison in Buffalo. It had impressive dimensions, measuring 190 feet in length, 33 feet in width, and 13 feet in depth, with a total tonnage of 762. The vessel primarily served as a passenger and package freight carrier. On November 5, 1867, the ACME encountered a violent storm that led to its tragic demise.
At the time of its loss, the ACME was carrying a substantial cargo, which included 7,307 bushels of corn, 2,165 barrels of flour, 238 barrels and 100 “tierces” of beef, 200 tierces of lard, and 334 untanned cowhides. As the storm intensified, the ship began taking on water, prompting the crew to abandon the vessel in lifeboats. Two boats reached the New York coast, approximately 20 miles apart, while the third was rescued by the revenue cutter COMMODORE PERRY. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties among the crew.
The Buffalo Daily Post reported on November 5, 1867, that the ACME foundered 15 miles northeast of Dunkirk, New York. The ship’s captain, William Dickson, made the difficult decision to order the crew into lifeboats when it became evident that saving the vessel was no longer possible. Some of the crew members landed at Dunkirk, while others reached Silver Creek. The ACME, without any passengers aboard, ultimately sank stern-first in deep water.
Constructed in 1856, the ACME had previously undergone major repairs in 1863, ensuring its seaworthiness before the ill-fated storm. It was rated as B 1, denoting its good condition at the time. The vessel was owned by the Western Transportation Company and had a valuation of $45,000. It was insured for $33,000 with various insurance companies.
In addition to the loss of the ACME, the gale that struck on that Sunday night caused significant damage to other vessels on Lake Erie. The brig GEN. WORTH, owned by Richardson & Rosenbury, foundered off Barcelona, and concerns were raised about the crew’s safety. The schooner SUPPLY ran ashore at Port Colborne, and an unknown vessel was reported to have sunk above Sturgeon Point. Various other vessels experienced difficulties during the storm, highlighting the treacherous conditions faced by sailors.
The ACME’s tragic fate serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by ships navigating the Great Lakes. Its sinking off Dunkirk stands as a testament to the unpredictable and merciless nature of Lake Erie storms.
