Stephen Champlin's Post War Service-- Part 5: Quite Famous

In 1843, the USS Michigan, which was the first ironclad warship to sail on the Great Lakes, was launched at Erie, Pennsylvania.  She was 168 feet in length with a beam width of 69 feet, a ten foot draft and 600 ton displacement.  Her first commander was William Inman.

On November 4, 1845, Stephen Champlin succeeded him as commander and served in that capacity until until March 31, 1848, when he was replaced by James M. McIntosh (I could not find mention of him).

After retiring from the Navy, he resided in Buffalo, New York.  In 1842 he was spoken of as a possible candidate for the office of Buffalo mayor but declined the nomination.  At the time of his death, he was the last surviving officer of the Battle of Lake Erie.  His funeral eulogy was delivered by New York Governor Clinton.

Then a few months after his death, Gov. Clinton delivered a rather lengthy address to the Buffalo Historical Society on the life and career of Stephen Champlin.

--Brock-PerryChamplin