Notes on the Propeller "St. Nicholas" and Captain William Williams

 (This is a collection of articles concerning the propeller St. Nicholas, built at Cape Vincent in 1853 for  Bancroft & Co. of Rome built by J. Andrews in 1853. Measurements were: 133.9” x 25’11” x 11’6” 372 tons. Lost off Sleeping Bear Bay, Lake Michigan, 23 Nov. 1857 with a cargo of 10,000 bushels of wheat.  Engine built by A. C. Powell, Syracuse. 24 x 36” stroke engine, 18 x 7’ boiler.

Rome (N.Y.) Sentinel

May 11, 1853

New Propeller on Lake Ontario

   The propeller St. Nicholas was built by Mr. J. Andrews, of French Creek, and it is admitted on all hands that she is the finest model, and the best built propeller running on Lake Ontario. Her dimensions are as follows: 

      Extreme length ................... 145 ft. 

      Breadth of beam .................. 26 ft. 

      Depth of hold .................... 11 ft. 

      Tonnage about 400 tons, with store room for about 3,500 bbls. flour. 

      The engine and boiler are from the manufactory of A.C. Powell, of Syracuse, and are of the latest improved kind. 

      Diameter of cylinder ......... 24 inches 

      Length of stroke ................. 3 ft. 

      Length of boiler ................. 18 ft. 

      Diameter of boiler ............... 7 ft. 

      The total cost in running order $25,000. She is to be commanded by Capt. Lewis Litz, an experienced sailor, and is intended for Bancroft & Co.'s line of propellers from Cape Vincent to Detroit, in connection with the Rome & Watertown R.R., and the Rome and N.Y. Line via Canal and Hudson River to New York, and is one of the 6 new ones built expressly for this line. The 

   The St. Nicholas was launched nearly completed, and takes her place immediately in the line, and will leave for Detroit in a day or 2.  The St. Nicholas is owned by Messrs. D.C. Bancroft, J.C. Parker and Samuel W. Mudge of Rome. 

    

Buffalo Daily Republic 

May 18, 1853 

   A propeller of 400 tons, called the St. Nicholas was launched at Cape Vincent, on Thursday week (May 12). The vessel cost $25,000, and will run in a line between Cape Vincent and Buffalo. 

      

Oswego Times & Journal 

January 2, 1855 

The propeller St. Nicholas, Capt. Williams, arrived in this port yesterday from Toronto with 3,020 barrels of flour, consigned to Messrs. Clemow & Bloore. The flour goes through to New York by Railroad. 

Oswego Daily Palladium Sat., January 13, 1855 

An Important Fact. - The Propeller St. Nicholas arrived at this port yesterday with 3,013 barrels of flour from Toronto, consigned to Clemow & Bloore, for New York or Boston. The Toronto House refuse to allow flour to go over the Hudson River Road, and wish it go go east via the Binghamton road. As the Oswego and Syracuse road have an arrangement with the Central, they decline, we are informed, to take the flour to the Binghamton road. Under these circumstances the flour, we are told by the consignees, will be sent to Cape Vincent. The Propeller was to leave last night at 12 o'clock. 

Oswego Daily Palladium Tues., Feb. 13, 1855 

The Propeller St. Nicholas, Capt. William Williams, arrived at this port yesterday morning, from Toronto with 3,060 barrels of flour. She left Toronto on Sunday afternoon. The Captain says he met with no serious obstructions from ice, except in the neighborhood of Genesee. 

Oswego Times & Journal Tues., Feb. 13, 1855 

The weather is now fine, and ideas and indications begin to turn towards the opening of navigation and commencement of another business season. The cargo of flour which arrived yesterday by the St. Nicholas was from Port Credit, above Toronto. During the late unexampled cold weather the river froze across between Cayuga and Van Buren streets, but vessels can now enter the lower Harbor without difficulty. 

Oswego Times & Journal Thurs., Feb. 15, 1855 

We understand the St. Nicholas' cargo of flour is going through to Boston by the Oswego and Central line, confirming what we have before stated, that the Canadians will not ship by the Central and Hudson River Roads on account of the excessive cost transshipment at New York by this route. 

Oswego Palladium

Wednesday, March 29, 1855

Another Arrival. - The Propeller St. Nicholas, Capt. Wm. Williams, arrived at this port yesterday morning from Toronto, with a cargo of 3,010 barrels of flour, and 100 bags of peas, consigned to Messrs. Clemow & Bloore. We learn from Mr. Bloore, who came over in the St. Nicholas, that she left Toronto Tuesday forenoon and that little or no ice was encountered in the passage. he also stated that the Propeller Oshawa was to sail for this port yesterday or today with a cargo of 2,500 barrels of flour; and also that many vessels at different ports on the Canada side are ready and will sail the first fair weather for Oswego, with cargoes of wheat, flour, &c.

Toronto Globe 

 April 7, 1855

  The propeller St. Nicholas arrived from Oswego early yesterday morning, with over 100 tons freight for our merchants. She had been detained several days in Oswego, the late gale having driven the ice back to Oswego Harbor, and done considerable damage. The schooners Sylph and John Potter were both driven ashore the latter lost anchor and chain, and it is feared the former will become a total wreck. Captain Williams reports large quantities of floating ice on the lake. The St. Nicholas will leave again on Monday with a full load of flour. 

Buffalo Daily Republic 

 Saturday, March 7, 1857 

   We understand that the propellers St. Nicholas and City of Hamilton, belonging to the estate of Messrs. Dixon & Swales of Hamilton, were sold on Wednesday to Mr. Bancroft of Oswego, for the sum of $40,000. They are intended for the Oswego and Milwaukee trade.

   

Buffalo Courier

December 1, 1857

Detroit, Nov. 30 - December 1, The propeller St. Nicholas from Racine, bound to Kingston C.W. loaded with 10,000- bushels of wheat went ashore on the Sleeping Bear on the 22d, an is probably a total loss, crew saved excepting the Steward, who was frozen to death. Insured for $4,000. 

Daily News, Kingston, Ont.

December 4, 1857

   The St. Nicholas - After a brief notice of the propeller St. Nicholas, we read the Buffalo Times of Tuesday, which says:-

   Captain May of the propeller St. Nicholas has arrived in this city. He came with his crew to Detroit by the propeller Tonawanda. Capt. May states that on the 22nd his propeller sprang a leak and was run ashore at Sleeping Bear Point. The steward was lost, balance of crew saved. The probability is that the propeller will prove a total loss. She was bound for Kingston with 10,000 bushels of wheat.

Buffalo Commercial Advertiser 

January 28, 1858

Propeller St. Nicholas Ashore at Sleeping Bear

Property loss $25,000

  The propeller St. Nicholas, Capt. May, of Hamilton, C. W., is ashore on Sleeping Bear, and will probably go to pieces. 

The St. Nicholas left Racine Harbor Nov. 20th, at 8 A. M., for Kingston, C. W., loaded with 10,050 bushels of wheat, wind N. W., and a heavy sea. On the 21st at 2 A. M., called at Port Washington for wood. At 4 A. M. left. -- Wind South, thick with snow. Encountered very tempestuous weather until 22d, when she sprung a leak at 1 A. M. Water commenced gaining upon engine pump, and the hand pump was got under way by the deck hands -- at 2 the water was over the ceiling -- ashes of furnace became mixed with water, and engine pump chocked up and stopped; commenced bailing with buckets; water still gaining being within a few inches of putting out the fires. At 3 o'clock it was thought prudent to put before the wind, in order to get near land. At 5:30 made land. She was not gaining on the water, and at 6 o'clock the engine stopped. At this time the crew insisted on running the propeller ashore to save their lives. With broken chairs, bottom boards of berths, &c., a little steam was again raised, in order, if possible, to save the boat, but the fire was again put out and the engine stopped working. 

      Steam was afterwards raised once more, and she steamed along the shore. The weather was so thick with snow, it was impossible to see only a very short distance ahead. Finding it impossible to get to the Manitous, the water gaining continually, she was run on under a slow steam. The crew had become almost completely exhausted by toil. Part of the crew rushed to the boat without Capt. May's consent, in order to gain the shore, and one man, the steward, was lost. The wind and sea increased at noon (the 23d) and the propeller was driven broadside to the shore. The drowned man living near Hamilton.  She is insured for $4,000 in the corn exchange. 

Kingston Daily News

Thursday, December 3, 1857

   Another Propeller Lost - We regret to learn that the propeller St. Nicholas, of Hamilton, with a cargo of wheat, for Messrs. Walker & Berry, of this city, was totally lost a few days ago, on the long point of land jutting into Lake Michigan, called the "Sleeping Bear." The Captain and crew were all saved. 

  

Oswego Daily Palladium

January 31, 1917

Winter Navigation

Records of Bygone Years Show That It Was Seldom Impossible

New treasures are being added to the marine gallery at Parson's ship chandlery store almost daily. The latest are framed manifests of the steamer Nicholas which plied between this port and Canada back in the 'fifties, when the late William Williams, grandfather of James Brown, of the Oswego post office, was in command. The manifest shows that the Nicolas, or St. Nicolas, sailed from Toronto to Oswego on Jan. 1st, 1855, with 3,020 barrels of flour and fourteen barrels of ale. Three days later the steamer returned to Toronto, and on the 13th of January, 1855, was back again. February 13th, 1855, she came in with 3,060 barrels of flour and other small articles.

There are other manifests of the schooner Ella Murton, Captain John Saunders, master, which sailed from Kingston, January 14th, 1890, with 17,000 bushels of barley for Gaylord, Downey & Company. She arrived here on January 16th and went back light.

There are those who have said that a Winter ferry could not be maintained between this port and Kingston because of the heavy ice that makes at Kingston and the foot of the lake, but it appears from records here quoted and others extant that Winter navigation between this port and Kingston is practical in the properly constructed craft.

1853, May 31 Enrolled Oswego, NY to run Cape Vincent to Detroit.

1853, Aug 17 Owned Henry Fitzhugh et al, Oswego.

1855, Feb 3 Owned P.S. Stevenson et al, Hamilton, ONT; registered Montreal, QUE to run Montreal, Hamilton & Oswego.

1857, Mar 27 Owned Edward C. Bancroft et al, Detroit, MI.

1857, Apr Owned Northwestern Transportation Co., Detroit; to run Detroit & Chicago.

1857, Nov Broke lock in Welland Canal.

1857, Nov 23 Destroyed in storm.

The most remarkable record is that of Captain William Williams of Oswego. The St. Nicholas arrived Jan. 1, 1855 from Toronto and cleared Jan. 3; arrived again Jan. 13 and cleared Jan. 17; arrived again Feb. 13 and cleared Feb. 17. 

                             _____

Oswego Daily Palladium

Monday, December 8, ,1890

OBITUARY.

_______

Captain William Williams

Died - In Oswego, N.Y., Dec. 7th, 1890, Captain William Williams, in the 82d year of his age.

After a long, and, at the last a painful illness, Captain Williams died at his home in West Seneca street at 9 o'clock last night. For nearly two years the friends of Captain Williams have seen the inroad which disease, a bronchial affliction, was making upon him, and this, with the weight of years, made the result apparent. He bore up wonderfully, however, and it was not until two weeks ago that he finally kept his room. His last days were full of physical suffering, which he bore with heroic fortitude, surrounded by loving kindred and devoted friends.

Captain Williams was born in Bromley, Kent, England, April 5, 1809. He received a good common school education and in 1820 was sent aboard the old training ship Solebay on the Thames, off Deptford. in 1823 was entered as apprentice on board the East India Company's ship Hythe of London, bound for China. Again sailed in the Paliana of London, for China, calling at Pico, one of the Western Islands, and on the return at St. Helena. Made another cruise to China and was only ship that ever brought a cargo of tea direct from Canton to Quebec.

At latter place left ship and went before the mast in brig Sir Francis Burton, bound to Halifax. Returned to Quebec and shipped for Liverpool. In the latter place shipped in the brig Nancy for Leith, Scotland, thence in the barque General Elliot bound to Rega, Russia. in a heavy storm the ship was driven ashore on Rega Bar and was lost. The crew were saved and went to Leith in a Scotch brig.

At the latter place shipped in the brig Maine bound for Charleston, S.C. made five voyages from Charleston to Liverpool in different ships. Sailed in brig Bragen from Baltimore to Marseilles, France, and afterwards in the brig Lady Adams from Baltimore to Buenos Aires where the crew left the ship on account of ill usage by the captain. Was six months aboard a Monte Video gunboat and shipped from Antwerp and Liverpool.

From the latter port made voyages to various ports in North and South America, Russia, Norway, and in May, 1833 arrived in Quebec from Liverpool as second mate of barque Morsey. Made another voyage to Liverpool and returned. Came up the St. Lawrence river to oswego and shipped on steamer United States as steersman, Capt. Joel Tyler, sailing master. Capt. JamesVanCleve took command of the United States and Capt. Williams was second mate. In 1837 during the Patriot War, the steamer was seized by the government, taken to Sackets Harbor and laid up. in 1840 Captain Williams was made with Captain VanCleve on the steamer St. Lawrence of Oswego.

In 1843 he commanded the steamer United States; the last year she was in commission. She was hauled out at the foot of Second street in this city and eventually burned. He went back to the St. Lawrence, Captain VanCleve as mate. In '46 the propeller Syracuse was launched and the command was given to Captain Williams. In 1852 he was master of the propeller St. Lawrence. In 1855 was captain if the propeller St. Nicholas. In 1858 went into the employ of Fitzhugh & Littlejohn and superintended the building of four propellers - the Kentucky, Cincinnati, Louisville and the Dayton - the latter being commanded by Captain Williams.

The line did not succeed, and the subject of our sketch became of the propeller Lady of the Lake of the Northern Transportation Co. line. he was transferred to the Propeller Prairie State of the same line in 1863, and soon afterward commended the side wheel steamer State of Minnesota, which was wrecked in Lake Michigan in 1864, since which date and up to the time of his failing health, about a year ago, he had been in the employ of the Inland Lloyds as Marine Inspector.

In 1830, Captain Williams and Miss Jessie Geekie were married in Ogdensburg and came to Oswego in 1837. The surviving immediate family are Mrs. Williams, Captain William H. Williams of Detroit, Mich., Miss Elizabeth J. and Miss Helen M. Williams. Telegrams of condolence and sympathy from friends at various lake ports have been received by the family today.

Captain Williams was one of the best known and most popular of the many good and true men who are connected with the marine history of Oswego. He had all the attributes of the warmhearted and generous sailor, with none of the weaknesses that sometimes mar the lives of men who "go down to the sea in ships." In his mature years he had the rare advantage of physical comeliness, and this, with his frank, hearty, open and guileness nature, made him welcome wherever he went.

For over half a century he has been a familiar figure in Oswego. His friends equal in number his acquaintances, for none know Capt. Williams without being drawn towards him. His warm heart beat true to his friends, and they will miss the cheery sound of his voice and the warm grasp of his hand for many a day.

He never intentionally did wrong to any man. His life was graced by many noble acts of friendship, which none but the recipients knew of. His life was along, active, earnest and honest one. His work is done, and he is gone, leaving to his children a spotless name, and to his friends a tender and lasting.