History & local legend
An 1867 newspaper letter described strange lights on Lake Erie that resembled a burning ship. At about seven in the evening on October 29, the writer watched from the Pennsylvania shore near Erie and used fixed objects as reference points to check the vessel's movement. Despite a strong wind, the apparent ship stayed in place.
The same writer remembered a brighter display in November 1852. For perhaps two hours, observers used a night glass to watch what looked like flames and sparks, expecting survivors' boats to reach shore. None arrived.
The witness had previously seen the real steamer Erie burn off Silver Creek, New York, in 1841. Later writer James Donahue discussed the lake lights as a possible phantom-steamer story, drawing on that comparison between the unexplained display and an actual ship fire.
Sources
- James Donahue, Eerie Lights Over Lake Erie, discussion of Erie Dispatch correspondence
- The Brooklyn Eagle, December 12, 1867, A Curious Phenomenon on Lake Erie, period letter transcribed here
- Steamship Erie historical marker, Town of Hanover, fire off Silver Creek on August 9, 1841
- Lake Erie Lights, bluff and lake views at Erie Land Lighthouse
