While the Phoenix was burning, some of the lifeboats try to get to shore. Around half past three in the morning, people in Sheboygan saw the light of the fire.

The Delaware and Liberty come to the rescue

A sister ship of the Phoenix, the Delaware, was in the harbor of Sheboygan. Unfortunately, the ship’s steam engine was off, so it took the ship some time to get on its way. One hour and a quarter later, the Delaware reached the burning ship. Captain Sweet, after having reached shore, sent his lifeboat back. Before the boat reached the Phoenix, the Delaware was already there.

When the Delaware came near the Phoenix, it picked up the engineer, House, who was still floating on his door. He was the first one to see the Delaware approach. He told a nearby passenger to hold on just a few moments longer. Overwhelmed by the idea of being saved, the woman lost her grip and disappeared in the water.

Besides the engineer, only two other people could be saved by the Delaware. They were the clerk, Mr. Donohue and Mr. Long, who still clung to the rudder. Some of the passengers lost their grip, others died from the cold on their rafts. Among them Tisdale, the cabin boy. He still lay on his ladder, like a sleeping child. Besides the three survivors, the Delaware picked up four or five bodies.

One survivor later told the crew of the Delaware had been surprised at the speed with which the fire had destroyed the Phoenix. Those who could, took of their hats and looked at the Phoenix being towed back to Sheboygan. Everyone on the Delaware was crying.

Besides the Delaware, the schooner Liberty helped as well. Because their was not enough wind for the Liberty itself, captain Porter took a lifeboat in the direction of the Phoenix. It arrived a few minutes after the Delaware. No survivors could be found anymore.

The Phoenix was towed back to Sheboygan by the Delaware, where it sank in seven feet of water. Part of the cargo, mainly chains and other ironworks, could be salvaged.

After the disaster

In the days after the disaster, the magnitude slowly became clear to the rest of the world. First there was hope a third lifeboat had made it to safety. The survivors hoped Mr. Blish, who had been so kind to their children and the captain, was saved by that boat. On December 1, 1847 captain Porter of the Liberty reported the Phoenix only had two lifeboats. No hope of any more survivors remained.

After the disaster, fire-stained bank notes began to circulate in the Sheboygan area. Apparently, it washed up on the shore. Also, a few of the bodies of the victims washed up. The people of Sheboygan brought them to a temporary morgue on Penn Avenue between seven and eight Street. Many inhabitants of Sheboygan helped taking the nameless bodies to their last resting place.