Considered one of Lake Erie's worst disasters, the saga of the sidewheeler Griffith is that of up to an estimated 320 lives lost. When the steamship G.P. Griffith burned off the shore of Willoughby on June 17,1850, efforts to ground the vessel came up 600' short. Most of the immigrant bodies washed up in Willowick and were never identified. Every child perished, and every women save one. Come listen to the tragic tale as author Jim Hopkins retells the story and the resulting tale of the knoll mass gravesite that fell victim to Erie's shoreline.
The presentation and book talk will be held in the downstairs community room of the Fairport Harbor Public Library on Thursday, May 23, 2013 from 7-8pm. The library is located on Vine Street and is connected to Harding High School. This program is the second of three educational lectures sponsored by the Fairport Harbor Historical Society. Additional assistance for this program is also provided through the generosity of the Fairport Harbor Friends of the Library.
An Ohio Historical Marker 9-43 has been placed near the grounds of the disaster site on East 305th Street in Willowick. The story of the Griffith disaster and other Lake Erie boating disasters may be found at the Fairport Harbor Lighthouse and Marine Museum which opens to the public for its 68th season this coming weekend. Visit www.fairportlighthouse.com or call 440-354-4825 during open hours to speak to a society volunteer.
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