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Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. 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, 1905 Report of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor and Reports of Bureaus Washington Government Printing Office, 1906 Page 403 REPORT OF THE STEAMBOAT INSPECTION SERVICE CASUALTIES, VIOLTATIONS OF LAW, AND INVESTIGATIONS LOCAL DISTRICT OF CLEVELAND, OHIO 1904 January 22. - Tug George Pankratz, 63 gross tons, had her lines parted by movement of ice in a recent flood while lying at her dock at Lorain, Ohio. She stranded on the opposite side of the river. The stove in her galley overturned, which set fire to and partly destroyed the boat. Estimated damage, $3,500. January 24. - Tug Cascade, 77 gross tons, while making an effort to rescue a vessel thta had been carried out of Lorain Harbor by freshet, and when one-half mile from Lorain, was injured by ice to the extent that she sunk. The weather not permitting her to be raised the amount of damage to the tug is not known. No person injured. March 11. - Steamer Shenango No. 1, 1,940 gross tons, while fast in the ice about 150 feet east of Conneaut breakwater, took fire and is a total loss. The fire started in rear of the engine room and had gotten such headway before discovered that it was impossible to check it. The direct cause of the fire can not be learned. One fireman, who was asleep in his room, which was near the engine room, was burned to death. May 12. - A Mr. Snell, passenger on steamer City of Erie, jumped from said steamer when on Lake Erie off Ashtabula, Ohio. The steamer was turned about and search made, but no trace of the man could be found. June 23. - Freight steamer F. H. Prince, 2,047 gross tons, while approaching the port of Cleveland, Ohio, and when near the breakwater, struck some obstruction under water thought to be stone that are being used for cribwork on breakwater, causing a break in the steamer's bottom. She was immediatley beached near the breakwater. Page 404 REPORT OF THE STEAMBOAT INSPECTION SERVICE July 9. - Steamer Yuma, 2,194 gross tons, while lying at her dock at Cleveland Harbor loading coal, E. Bjorkland, wheelsman, who was operating the dock engine, was accidently killed by coming in contact with said engine. July 10. - While fishing steamer Jennie Hays, 14 gross tons, was on Lake Erie 8 miles from Fairport, fire was noticed in her boiler room. It soon got beyond control. Steamer was then beached. No person injured. Estimated loss, $2,000. July 11. - Schooner Yukon, in tow of tug Alva B., while coming down Cuyahoga River collided with steamer German. We made investigation of the cause of the collision, and as a result thereof suspended the pilot license of Thomas McNaugh, pilot of the tug Alva B., for 6 months for violation of Rule III, pilot rules, and section 4442, Revised Statutes. July 22. - Fishing steamer Sea Fox, 15 gross tons, while passing down Cuyahoga River, collided with the tug Tempest, which was lying at her dock, damaging the pilot house of the Sea Fox. We investigated the cause of the collision, and as a result thereof suspended the pilot licenses of Y. G. Arthur, pilot of the steamer Sea Fox, and also that of Murdock Melvor, pilot of fishing steamer J. L. Wyland, for violation of Rule VI of the pilot rules for the Great Lakes, and for unskillfulness in handling their boats. August 22. - George Jackson, deck hand on steamer Princeton, 5,125 gross tons, while in an intoxicated condition, fell overboard from said steamer and was drowned while said steamer was lying at her dock at Conneaut Har- bor. November 8. - On complaint that Capt. Charles A. Bush, of towing steamer Oscar C. Stedman, did not answer meeting and passing signals while navi- gating Cuyahoga River, we investigated the matter, found Captain Bush guilty, and suspended his master and pilot license for the period of 30 days. November 13. - In a heavy sea, the tug John Gregory attempted to bring in a scow from the Cleveland breakwater to the inner harbor. The wind had increased to a gale, and the sea running high washed over her, sinking her. The pilot of the tug was drowned. LOCAL DISTRICT OF BUFFALO, N.Y. 1904. June 5. - About 11:30 a.m., when steamer Williams was about 10 miles from Oak Orchard, on Lake Ontario, cast-iron T, that steam pipe is attached to, broke. Damage, $75. June 16. - About 11:40 p.m., while steamer Charles M. Warner was leaving Buffalo for Milwaukee she came in contact with the breakwater and damaged stem of vessel to the amount of $1,500. June 29. - About 10:00 p.m., fire broke out in wheelhouse of towing steamer Puritan, which was at dock in Commercial slip, Buffalo Harbor, doing damage to the amount of $400. July 4. - Steamer Titania navigated the Niagara River on an expired certificate of inspection, carrying an excursion party. Case reported to collector of customs, who imposed a fine of $500. July 18. - About 6 p.m., while steamer Mohawk was towing two canal boats through the Blackwell Canal, Buffalo Harbor, steamer Scranton going in the opposite direction hit one of the canal boats and sunk it. August 8. - About 7 p.m. steamer Silver King, with barge Lottie Koerber in tow, was en route to Niagara Falls, and when near Edgewater, Niagara River, a passenger named James Nelligan fell from the stern of steamer Silver King and was drowned. August 10. - About 8 p.m., while steamer Volunteer was lying alongside Union Furnace dock, in Buffalo Harbor, John Daly, a deck hand, fell from boat to dock, fracturing his skull and dying instantly. August 23. - About 7 a.m., steamer John A. Albright was entering Buffalo Harbor, and when attempting to stop astern of steamer A. G. Lindsay, which was lying alongside a dock, the steamer Albright collided with the Lindsay, damaging latter-named vessel to the amount of $1,500. There is a strong current where the accident occurred, and the steamer Albright became unmanageable. September 8. - About 5:50 a.m., steamer S. R. Kirby, en route from Cleveland to Buffalo, got off her course and grounded near Windmill Point, Lake Erie. Damage $15,000. The weather was very thick and foggy at the time. October 16. - About 4:00 a.m., fire broke out on steamer Seneca Chief, which was lying in Wilson Harbor, Lake Ontario, totally destroying said vessel. Steamer was out of commission. Cause of fire unknown. Loss, $3,000. November 10. - About 4:45 p.m., while steamer Seneca was lying at Lehigh Valley freight house, Tifft Farm, discharging cargo, Fireman John Winnbold, who was helping wipe down main engine, requested engineer to give engine half a revolution so he could wipe off other parts of the machinery, and in some unaccountable way he was struck by beam connecting air pump with main engine, and instantly killed. November 16. - Charges filed against Leander A. Stewart, engineer of steamer Keystone, at Erie, Pa., for alleged violation of section 4441, Revised Statutes. Case investigated and license of said Stewart suspended for 60 days. November 25. - About 3:30 p.m., while steamer Oceanica was going down the Niagara River with barge Massasoit in tow, the steamer struck some obstruction, breaking all the buckets off the wheel. She drifted help- lessly down the river until picked up by a tug. Damage to steamer, $1,100. The barge was brought up on the waterworks inlet pier. December 3. - About 4 a.m., fire was discovered on steamer Lillie and May, which was lying alongside a dock at Lasalle, N.Y. Damage to steamer, $400. Charles Moyer, master of the vessel, who is supposed to have been onboard asleep, was burned to death. He was alone on the steamer at the time. December 5. - Charges preferred against William H. Walder, engineer of steamer W. L. Brown alleging violation of section 4441, Revised Statutes. Case to be investigated as soon as the witnesses can be located. December 18. - Fire broke out on steamer Kate Wilson, at Erie, Pa., destroying pilot house and engine room. Loss, $550. December 24. - About midnight fire broke out on steamer Iron Duke, which was laid up for the winter at Charlotte, N.Y., burning steamer to water's edge. Loss, $35,000. Cause of fire unknown. LOCAL DISTRICT OF OSWEGO, N.Y. 1904. March 8. - Pleasure steamer Avarana was destroyed by fire November 15, 1903, while lying at her dock in Ogdensburg, N.Y. (not reported until March 8, 1904). Origin of fire supposed to be from sparks from a passing loco- motive. Loss reported, $500. June 11. - At Thousand Island Park, river St. Lawrence, Deck Hand Daniel Wilbur, of steamer Islander, in attempting to board the vessel by jumping from the dock, fell overboard and was drowned. Body recovered in about 20 minutes, but all efforts failed to resusitate him. June 24. - At 5 a.m., steamer St. Joseph, en route Toronto to Oswego, when off Big Sodus, Lake Ontario, broke spring coupling of shaft and eccentric. Picked up by tug Charley Ferris and towed to Oswego. July 13. - About 8 p.m., steamer Arundell, en route Charlotte, N.Y., to Alexanderia Bay, N.Y., and after leaving Clayton, broke low-pressure crank pin. Vessel was carefully worked down to Alexandria Bay, and next day towed to Oswego for repairs; estimated, $350. July 22. - About 3 p.m., steamer Castanet, soon after leaving Kingston, Ontario, with an excursion party, took fire. Cause, the giving way of a socket stay in furnace. The escaping steam and water blew the fire into the fireroom; the flame rising through the hatch set fire to the awning. Fire was extinguished by use of the deck pump. Vessel was beached and passengers taken off by steamer Nokomis. No serious damage to vessel and no person seriously injured. July 24. - As the steamer New York was coming into Pine View dock, river St. Lawrence, she struck hard on lower corner of it and stove in a plank, making a hole about 8 by 8 inches on port side, about 40 feet from stem and just above the water line. Temporary repairs were made and the vessel proceeded to Ogdensburg. The next day permanent repairs were made. August 9. - Four p.m., steamer Valleta, while lying at Morgan's dock, Long Island river, St. Lawrence, was totally destroyed by fire. No person on board at the time. Origin of fire unknown. Loss reported, $1,800. November 10. - About 4 a.m., the ferry steamer Wm. Armstrong was at railroad dock, Ogdensburg, N.Y., with two cars loaded with steel rails (the cars being insecurely fastened). When the vessel was leaving the dock the cars ran aft until one truck overhung the stern. The weight of both cars on extreme end brought the deck under water and she began to fill through the hatches. She was run on the bar and sunk in about 14 feet of water. Subsequently raised, docked, and repaired. December 10. - About 7 p.m., steamer Henry R. James, lying at dock in Ogdensburg, N.Y., was discovered on fire. The vessel was being laid up for the winter and the engineers had left her apparently all right about 5:20 p.m. No person on board when fire was discovered. Fire extinguished by Ogdensburg fire department. Origin of fire unknown. Page 406 REPORT OF THE STEAMBOAT INSPECTION SERVICE LOCAL DISTRICT OF TOLEDO, OHIO 1903. November 20. - (reported January 15, 1904). - about 10 p.m. steamer Gladstone, 2,453 gross tons, and steamer Sacramento, 2,380 gross tons, came into collision near Detroit River light, Lake Erie, causing the Gladstone to fill and sink. Damage to Sacramento, $5,000; to Gladstone, unknown. No lives lost. 1904. March 12. - On January 15 last we reported to your office on Form 2161 that on November 20, 1903, steamers Sacramento and Gladstone came into collision on Lake Erie near Detroit River light, which resulted in the sinking of the Gladstone. We have since investigated the cause of this collision and as a result thereof have, on this 12th day of March, suspended the master and pilot license of Walter M. Mahon, master of steamer Sacramento, for a period of two months, for violation of section 4450, Revised Statutes; also of Rule II of pilot rules for the Great Lakes. May 3. - At 1 a.m., while steamer Leland, of Port Clinton, Ohio, 356 gross tons, was lying at Port Clinton, Ohio, she was damaged by fire to the amount of $6,000. Fire was supposed to be caused by sparks from a passing locomotive. Steamer not in commission at time of fire. May 14. - At 2 p.m., steamer City of Rossford, 355 gross tons, sunk while lying at anchor in Sandusky Bay, caused by oakum working out of the butts. The steamer's cargo of sand was a total loss. Damage to vessel estimated at $1,000. No lives lost. June 2. - About 1 a.m., passenger steamer State of New York, of Cleve- land, Ohio, 807 gross tons, during a fog, grounded on the north side of South Bass Island, Lake Erie. The passengers were taken off by the steamer Arrow. The was released by the tug Oscar Stedman. Estimated damage to steamer, $2,500. June 27. - At 8 a.m, while steamer H. B. Tuttle, of Cleveland, Ohio, 744 gross tons, en route from French River, Ontario, to Buffalo, N.Y., when abreast of Colchester light, Lake Erie, the engine became disabled through the breaking of crosshead and both cylinders. Steamer was towed to Cleve- land for repairs. Estimated amount of damage, $1,000. No person reported injured. July 20. - Steamer Ida, of Sandusky, Ohio, 57 gross tons, while making a landing at Catawba Island, Lake Erie, during a heavy sea, was thrown against the dock, breaking her bulwarks and causing the loss of part of her cargo of stone. The steamer then listed and sunk. She was valued at $1,600. No lives lost. July 29. - At 6:30 p.m., while engaged in moving steamer Luzon, of Fair- port, Ohio, 3,582 gross tons, at Hocking coal dock, Toledo, Ohio, John J. Stevens, jr., one of the crew, accidentally fell into the water and was drowned before assistance could be rendered. The body was recovered later. July 29. - Steamer James H. Reed, 5,598 gross tons, struck bottom in passage between Colchester light and Bar Point, Lake Erie. The steamer was damaged thereby, but to what amount has not been ascertained. August 3. - At 12 p.m., steamer L. G. Powell, of Toledo, Ohio, 143 gross tons, lying at Ironville dock, Toledo, Ohio, was damaged by fire to the extent of $700. Origin of fire unknown. No lives lost. August 4. - Steamer Grandon, of Sandusky, Ohio, became disabled by the breaking of the low-pressure crank pin. Cost of repairs, $100. August 25. - Steamer Saugatuck, of Toledo, Ohio, 88 gross tons, while towing scows on Maumee River, Toledo, Ohio, struck a log and broke her shaft. Estimated cost of repairs, $250. August 28. - About 8 p.m., steamer Sparta, of Port Huron, Mich., 1,107 gross tons, while lying at Toledo and Ohio Central docks, Toledo, Ohio, was damaged by fire, the origin of which is unknown. Damage estimated at be- tween $8,000 and $10,000. August 31. - At 1:30 p.m., while steamer State of New York, of Cleve- land, Ohio, 807 gross tons, was leaving her dock at Put-in Bay, Ohio, a mand named William Potter, while intoxicated, in attempting to jump aboard the steamer, fell backward into the bay and was drowned. The body was re- covered later. November 19. - About 10 p.m. steamer Philip Minch, 2,010 gross tons, was completely destroyed by fire when on Lake Erie, near Marblehead Point. Origin of fire unknown. Investigation to be made. James Stone, Supervising Inspector, Ninth District. SUPERVISING INSPECTOR-GENERAL, STEAMBOAT-INSPECTION SERVICE. Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D.C. ===========================================================================