“The tales of suffering as related by those of our citizens who escaped are truly heart rendering. But enough has already been said. The soul sickens at the thought.” (Erie Gazette, August 12, 1841)

Headlines of many other newspapers across the region also reported the loss of the great steamship “Erie” in the days following the tragedy of August 9, 1841. It was 174 years ago today that this ship, full of many Swiss and German immigrants, caught fire and sank. Most lost their lives by fire or drowning in rough waters just a few miles off the shores of Silver Creek.

This is just one of many shipwreck accounts visitors touring the Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum might hear. The sinking of the Erie was probably noted in the daily log of the lighthouse keeper at the time, as debris and bodies washed ashore for many days.

The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 opened the door to mass immigration to western New York and the Midwest because people could now travel with relative ease on connected waterways rather than through the dense eastern woodlands. Immigrants from Europe arrived in the ports of New York City, traveled up the Hudson River, and then traveled across the state via the canal to Buffalo, a busy port on Lake Erie. There travelers boarded ships for the upper Great Lakes and points west.

Many immigrants on board the “Erie” on August 9, 1841 planned to settle in the West. The “Erie” was headed toward Erie, Pa., with the final destination of Chicago.

A bit of seasickness was the only problem after the “Erie” left Buffalo at approximately 4 p.m. About four hours later, however, a small explosion set off a deadly chain of events. A small crew of painters, contracted to paint the ship SS Madison in Erie, Pa., had stored containers of turpentine and varnish on a deck above the boilers. A boiler overheated and caught on fire. The flames quickly spread through the wooden ship, which had recently been varnished, making it even more flammable. Survivor accounts, including that of Captain Titus, told the story of the ensuing chaos and hysteria as people frantically tried to save themselves and their families. Within 15 minutes, flames blocked passageways on the ship, making it impossible for many to get to life preservers or to the few lifeboats or to escape from the crowded immigrant quarters below deck. Most passengers above deck jumped into the dark water and tried to find something to cling to in order to survive. Most drowned.

Local residents played a part in the rescue efforts. According to accounts, some people who saw the glow of fire in the distance used their small sailboats and even rowboats to render assistance. George and Luther Alton of Dunkirk and Frank Finch a dock supervisor on the Buffalo Street Dock used their boats. Captain George Dwight used a small steamboat to rescue people. The DeWitt Clinton, a steamship rescued about 27 people. This vessel had left Buffalo earlier than the “Erie,” but had briefly stopped in Dunkirk. As it was headed out, the crew also noticed the glow on the horizon and reversed course of the Clinton to help. Curiously, one man on the Clinton had been refused passage on the “Erie” earlier that day due to the crowded conditions.

The loss of life was tragic. It is sad to think about immigrants who were seeking a better life. Identification of the dead in the following days and weeks was attempted by publishing descriptions of gender, height, clothing, and any personal items found in pockets. In the end, about 100 people were unidentified and buried in mass graves in Dunkirk, Sheridan, and Silver Creek. Those in Dunkirk were buried in a cemetery on grounds that later became the site of the Dunkirk Academy (which once stood next to the current Dunkirk Middle School). These victims were later interred at the Saint Mary’s Cemetery on Route 60 in Dunkirk. The hopes and dreams of the immigrants became evident when part of the ship was raised in 1854, and many farm and household items were found.

The exact number of victims may never be known. Various sources give different figures for the number of passengers, crew, and death rate. This is not surprising considering that less than accurate records may have been kept as ships attempted to load beyond full capacity. At least 200 people were on board – about 140 of them Swiss and German immigrants. More than 27 survived because small vessels other than the “DeWitt Clinton” rescued people. One account says 50 survived. The book “Disaster on Lake Erie, the 1841 Wreck of the Steamship Erie,” published in 2011, claims 343 people were aboard the ship, 254 of whom died and 89 of whom survived. This book is my source for the names of Dunkirk residents who assisted in the rescue. No matter what the exact numbers were, the sinking of the “Erie” was one of the most tragic losses on Lake Erie.

Lighthouses have helped to avert many disasters on the Great Lakes. The Dunkirk Lighthouse has a proud history beginning in 1826 when the first tower was built. The lighthouse today is not only a working light, but also houses a museum. The public is invited to celebrate “The International Lighthouse and Light Ship Weekend” and view the third annual “Battle of Lighthouse Point” on Aug. 15 and 16. During this weekend, spectators can observe amateur radio operators speak to people around the world, walk through an American Civil War Camp of the 1860s, and admire the newly renovated lighthouse keeper’s Victorian-Gothic home. The museum recently completed a 5-year project costing $150,000 that included constructing a new “period correct” roof of slate and copper, installing new and repairing ornamental finials and cross braces, erecting new brick chimneys, restoring shutters and painting of all outside woodwork and the tower.

Make it a good week and enjoy our beautiful lakes.

Mary Burns Deas writes weekly for the OBSERVER. Send comments to lifestyles@observertoday.com