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Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Reports of the Department of Commerce and Labor, 1908 Report of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor and Reports of Bureaus Washington, Government Printing Office, 1909 [519] REPORT OF THE STEAMSHIP INSPECTION SERVICE CASUALTIES, VIOLATIONS OF LAW, AND INVESTIGATIONS, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1907 - FIFTH SUPERVISING DISTRICT FIFTH SUPERVISING DISTRICT LOCAL DISTRICT OF DULUTH, MINN. March 18. - George E. Rockwood, a licensed engineer, was charged with having attempted to criminally assault an elderly lady on steamer O.K., at Williston, N. Dak., and of having deserted the boat, leaving the machinery of same disconnected and boat badly in need of his ser- vices. Case investigated, and owing to insufficient evidence to sub- stantiate the charges the case was dismissed September 5, 1907. April 1. - The cost of repairing steamer R. L. IRELAND, which went ashore on Gull Island, Lake Superior, December 7, 1906, amounted to $90,000. April 12. - Steamer HARVEY D. GOULDER, in tow of tug ZENITH, col- lided with steamer ANNA C. MINCH, lying at Cargill Elevator, Superior, Wis., and damaged the latter to the extent of about $2,000. April 18. - Inor Hill, watchman on steamer SHELDON PARKS, in slid- ing down a rope for the purpose of handling the mooring lines, lost his hold and slid too far, got caught, and was crushed to death be- tween the steamer and dock while the vessel was making a landing at Duluth, Minn. Investigation was not deemed necessary. April 29. - Steamer R. D. REES, while entering the port of Port Arthur, Ontario, was damaged by ice to the extent of about $1,000. May 8. - Steamer BALL BROTHERS' high-pressure cylinder blew out while the vessel was within a few miles of Duluth. No one was injured. The damages amounted to $500. May 11. - Loomis Lee, of Clementson, Minn., was reported ot the district attorney of St. Paul, Minn., for navigating a steam vessel on Rainy River in violation of section 4417, Revised Statutes. May 18. - Steamer JOHN B. COWLE, while lying at Superior, Wis., was damaged by fire to the extent of $200. The fire originated in one of the sleeping rooms and was caused by the explosion of some insect ex- terminator which was being used. May 29. - Steamer CHARLES WESTON, while en route to Duluth, Minn., ran ashore at Outer Island, due to fog. After jettisoning about 200 tons of coal she was pulled off by steamer WILLIAM A. ROGERS and tug E. G. CROSBY. The vessel was damaged very slightly. May 29. - Steamer WILLIAM A. PAINE, in entering port at Two Harbors, Minn., with a strong northeast wind blowing, was carried against the corner of ore dock, denting in one plate. Damage esti- mated at $1,000. June 8. - Harvey Hollen, employed as second porter on steamer AMERICA, fell overboard when near Susie Island, Lake Superior, and was drowned before assistance could reach him. Case investigated and dis- missed, as no blame could be attached to anyone. July 2. - Tug ASHLAND, while en route from Ashland, Wis., to Cross River, Minn., broke her crank shaft. Damage $1,000. July 27. - Steamer NORTH WIND, while lying at Booth's dock, Duluth, Minn., had a plate and 2 frames broken by coming in contact with a submerged projection from dock. Damage $2,000. August 1. - Steamer C. W. MOORE, when leaving Lachapelle, Wis., broke her propeller and loosened up the stern pipe, causing a damage of $1,200. August 10. - Tug WALTON B., towing a scow on her starboard side, ran down a rowboat containing 11 or 12 workmen, 6 of whom were drowned. The casualty was investigated, and James M. Swan, pilot of the tug, was exonerated of blame for the accident; the case was there- fore dismissed. August 11. - Steamer NORTHERN KING, while passing through Superior entry, took a sheer and struck some obstruction near the outside end of north pier. The accident was caused by a strong current. The damage amounted to about $1,000. August 17. - Tug TEMPEST, while moored to her dock at Duluth, Minn., caught fire and was damaged to the extent of about $800. Origin of fire unknown. August 23. - Steamer E. T. CARRINGTON, en route from Ashland, Wis., to Duluth, Minn., began to leak to such an extent that she foundered very quickly. A little sea came up, and, the vessel being flat bot- tomed, it is believed that some of the seams opened up. The crew were taken aboard steamer FREDERICK B. WELLS, which was in the vicinity at the time. Loss, $1,600. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [520] REPORT OF THE STEAMSHIP INSPECTION SERVICE CASUALTIES, VIOLATIONS OF LAW, AND INVESTIGATIONS, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1907 - FIFTH SUPERVISING DISTRICT - DULUTH, MINN., - CONTINUED. August 23. - Grant P. Marsh, a licensed master of steam vessels, was alleged to have gone aboard steamer EXPANSION, at Washburn, N. Dak., and assaulted William R. Massie, the master in charge. The alleged charges were investigated and Grant P. Marsh was found guilty of bad conduct, violation of section 4439, Revised Statutes. His license was revoked December 3, 1907. August 23. - Tug EDNA, while lying at a dock, port of Duluth, Minn., was run into by steamer ALVA and damaged to the extent of about $250. Accident was caused by steamer ALVA sheering. August 24. - Tug ALFRED W., while navigating in Duluth harbor, broke her cylinder head, causing damage of about $250. September 4. - Dan McKenzie, a deck hand on steamer QUEEN CITY, while on a scaffold engaged in scraping the side of the vessel, at Two Harbors, Minn., fell into the water and drowned. The accident was caused by the breaking of one of the lines which supported the scaffold. September 7. - Steamer TIONESTA, in tow of tug M. D. CARRINGTON, collided with a mud scow in tow of tug WALTON B. After an investiga- tion into cause of accident, it was found that both pilots of the tugs had failed to observe the requirements of Rules VI and 28 of the Pilot Rules for the Great Lakes. The licenses of Tracy D. Cartland and John H. O'Meara were each suspended for a period of 15 days from September 18, 1907. September 16. - Steamer CITY OF GLASGOW was found to be badly leak- ing after taking on a cargo of iron ore at Superior, Wis. On examina- tion it was found that a plank was broken, presumably by striking some submerged obstruction. Damage estimated at $500. September 27. - George Barton was reported to collector of customs at St. Paul, Minn., for navigating a steam vessel in violation of sec- tion 4417, Revised Statutes. October 2. - Steamer HOOVER and MASON collided with and knocked over a stone abutment of the Northern Pacific drawbridge at Superior, Wis. Accident was due to an error of the wheelsman on steamer. Damage to vessel estimated at $5,000. October 29. - Steamer WALTER SCRANTON collided with corner of ore dock at Superior, Wis., and was damaged to the extent of $300. October 30. - Steamer CORMORANT, when in the vicinity of Apostle Islands, Lake Superior, caught fire and burned to the water's edge. Fire originated in boiler room from some unknown cause. Loss, $19,000. November 2. - Steamer HARVEY D. GOULDER, in passing through draw- bridge of the Northern Pacific Railway at Duluth, Minn., took a sheer and struck one of the stone abutments, causing damage of $2,500 to the vessel. Accident was due to wind and current. December 18. - Tug TOM DOWLING, while breaking ice near Washburn, Wis., punctured a hole in her hull and sunk in 14 feet of water. Damage estimated at $500. ===========================================================================