1830.

Fire Steamboat Explosions. -- In September, 1830, the boilers of the Peacock exploded soon after her departure from Buffalo, which resulted in the loss of 15 lives, mostly emigrants. Capt. John Fleeharty was in command. This is recorded as the first explosion on the American side of the lakes. The steamer Adelaide, Capt. Christie, which was also running this year between Chippewa and Amherstburg, exploded in June, killing three persons. She was 230 tons burden, and low pressure.

The Newberryport, of 75 tons burden, built at Erie in 1829, was designed to ply on the St. Joseph river, between there and White Pigeon, and there served her time.

First Three-Masted Steamboat. - The steamer Sheldon Thompson, Capt. Augustus Walker, came out in 1830, but was not associated with the regular line, and made her first trip to Mackinac and Green Bay, August 1, of that year. She was built at Huron, was of 242 tons burden, low pressure, and carried three masts, the first of that rig on the lakes.

Remarkably Late Season. - The last steamer to leave Detroit, at the close of navigation in 1830, was the Ohio, which cleared November 30, for Buffalo. Sail vessels, however, continued to navigate the western part of the lake until the early part of January, as it was an uncommon season for navigation. The schooner Napoleon arrived at Detroit from Buffalo, December 15, and the schooner Antelope, from Miami, on the 4th of January.

First Marine Reporting. - Marine reporting at Detroit took its rise in 1830. J. B. Vallee was a pioneer marine reporter and the records show that he was faithful in the discharge of his duty.

Other Events of 1830. - March 8: Navigation opened at Cleveland by the sloop Express, cleared for Maumee. Navigation was opened April 6 at Buffalo. The first boat, the William Penn, did not, however, arrive at Detroit until the 15. April 10: Navigation opened at Buffalo by the schooner Napoleon, from Detroit. May 3: Steamboat Superior, at one time the only boat on the upper lakes, rebuilt and again put in commission; 23, steamboats William Penn and Pioneer collide near Dunkirk, and sustain injuries; two men drowned; 22, steamboat Sheldon Thompson, 220 tons burden, launched at Milan, Ohio. August 14: La Fayette packet, owned by Benjamin A. Naper, of Ashtabula, wrecked at Put-in-Bay island; crew rescued by a sloop from Sandusky; 19, steamboats Sheldon Thompson and William Peacock damaged by collision near Erie. September 16: Steamboat William Peacock, Captain Fleeharty, explodes, about four miles from Buffalo, Fifteen lives lost. First serious accident in the history of steam navigation on the lakes; 18, steamer Sheldon Thompson damaged by collision with the steamer Enterprise, on Lake Erie. October 25: British schooner Free Trader, of Otter Creek, U.C., seized at Black Rock for violation of revenue laws. November 15: Schooner Emily wrecked on Lake St. Clair; seven persons, including the master, drowned. December 31: Two thousand and fifty-two arrivals and departures at Buffalo during the season.

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Volume II

Some of the transcription work was also done by Brendon Baillod, who maintains an excellent guide to Great Lakes Shipwreck Research.