Hurricane-force winds screamed across the Great Lakes on Nov. 9 and 10, 1913, in a storm that claimed more than 250 lives and sank a dozen ships- including Light Vessel 82, one of a series of Buffalo lightships. L.V. 82 was on station 13 miles southwest of Buffalo when the storm hit; the vessel was lost with all hands, apparently overwhelmed by the fury of high winds and breaking waves. The ship was located a year later, two miles from the Lightship Station, and was raised and returned to service. Lost in the storm were Capt. Hugh M. Williams, Michigan; Mate Andrew Leahy, Ohio; Engineer Charles Butler, Buffalo; Assistant Engineer Cornelius Leahy, Ohio; Seaman William Jensen, Michigan; and Cook Peter Mackey, Buffalo. Only Butler's body was ever found. Wreckage began washing ashore at the foot of Michigan Avenue after the storm. Included was a piece of wood identified as part of L.V. 82 and bearing a penciled message from the Captain to his wife: "Goodbye, Nellie, the ship is breaking up fast. Williams."
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