On the night of September 17, 1873, the AKRON, owned by the Northern Transportation Company, was docked at Collins Dock, located approximately five miles above Alexandria Bay, New York. The vessel was en route from Ogdensburg to Chicago, carrying a heavy cargo of general merchandise. Tragically, the AKRON became the site of a devastating fire that threatened lives and cargo alike.
The fire, which originated in the firehole, was discovered midway between Clayton and Alexandria Bay. Passengers, numbering around 50, and the crew were jolted from their slumber by the rapidly spreading flames. In a frantic attempt to escape the inferno, they barely managed to evacuate the vessel.
Efforts to salvage the cargo proved futile as the fire engulfed the vessel. The AKRON, once a bustling transport laden with goods, was reduced to charred remains, sinking into the waters of the St. Lawrence River. It was a tragic end for a vessel that had seen better days.
Amidst the chaos and destruction, the crew and passengers of the AKRON displayed remarkable courage and resourcefulness. They fought against the odds to ensure everyone’s safety, and their efforts bore fruit as no lives were lost in the disaster. The passengers and crew were able to escape the burning vessel, though the cargo was lost to the flames.
The fire was visible from both Clayton and Alexandria Bay, a harrowing spectacle that illuminated the night sky. Despite the enormity of the tragedy, the heroic rescue mission spared the lives of all on board.
The burning of the AKRON was a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of maritime travel during that era. While the vessel and its cargo were lost, the human spirit prevailed, and every life was saved.
In the years following the disaster, the remnants of the AKRON remained a historic site. Its location, near the point where the Canadian steamer Sir Robert Peel had suffered a similar fate 36 years earlier, served as a solemn reminder of the perils faced by vessels on the St. Lawrence River.
The AKRON’s boilers and some machinery were salvaged, a testament to the enduring legacy of the vessel. While the fire may have consumed the physical vessel, the tale of the propeller AKRON’s fiery end lives on as a testament to the resilience of those who sailed on her.
The story of the propeller AKRON is a poignant chapter in maritime history, one that combines tragedy, heroism, and the enduring spirit of those who faced the perils of the open water. The vessel may have met its fiery end, but the memory of that fateful night in 1873 continues to serve as a reminder of the risks and challenges confronted by mariners of the past.
Sources and External Links #
- Marine Disasters of the Western Lakes during 1871, Capt. J.W. Hall.
- Various Newspapers Articles
- Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, Monday, August 28, 1871.
- British Whig (Kingston, ON), 23 Sep 1873
- Detroit Free Press September 18, 1873
- Buffalo Commercial Advertiser September 18, 1873 3-7
- Chicago Republican April 22, 1867
- British Whig (Kingston, ON), 19 Sep 1873
- Buffalo Daily Courier Friday, September 13, 1861
- Oswego Advertiser & Times Tues., October 16, 1866
- Buffalo Commercial Advertiser Monday, August 28, 1871
- “History of Lake Navigation” in the Marine Record, February 17, 1887.
- Merchant Steam Vessels of the U. S. A., The Lytle – Holdcamper List, 1790 to 1868.
- Notes from Various Sources but not limited to
- John E. Poole notes
- Donald V. Baut
- Burton Collection
- Edward J. Dowling Collection
- University of Detroit – Mercy C. E. Feltner Enrollments Database Erik Heyl
- Early American Steamers C. Patrick Labadie
- Great Lakes Ships Website
- Bowling Green State University
- H. G. Runge Collection, Milwaukee Public Library
