Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2017 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= NOTICE TO USERS - These files are protected by the The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. Information contained herein is provided for research purposes and may be freely linked to. Copying for redistribution or presentation by any person, persons or organization is not allowed without the written permission of the author/submitter. Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== VESSEL NAME: Omar D. Conger OTHER NAME(s): - OFFICIAL NO: 155055 DATE OF LOSS: 26 March 1922 CAUSE OF LOSS: Explosion LOCATION: Lake Huron, Port Huron, MI RIG TYPE: Steamer, passenger ferry HULL TYPE: Wood BUILDER: George Hardison, Port Huron - 1882 OWNER(S): Port Huron & Sarnia Ferry Company MASTER: Capt. William P. Major (not aboard) TONNAGE: 199 gt DIMENSIONS: 92 x 26 x 11 CASUALTIES: 4 (all) Exploded while moored to the ferry dock at Port Huron. The explosion occurred at 2:22 p.m. as she was being readied for departure at 3:00 p.m. Capt. Major was not aboard at the time. Her 25-ton boiler hurtled 300 feet, crashing through the roof of a home belonging to William Smith at 307 Quay street. The contract to raise the CONGER'S hull was awarded to Reid Wrecking Company and, on 9 June, 1922, what remained of the ferry was towed to the Reid dock to remove anything of use. After that she was to be towed out into deep water and sunk or else beached along the St. Clair river. Burned at her dock at Port Huron on 23 June 1901 while being painted and repaired. Her cabins were burned off and the hull scorched. Estimated damages $1,000. Burned at the ferry dock in Port Huron on 19 August 1902. Her upper works were a total loss and her lower deck was badly burned. Estimated damages $20,000. No loss of life. The victims: Ransome A. Campbell - engineer Clifford D. Althouse - fireman Kenneth K. Crandall - deckhand Thomas Buckner - deckhand ======================================================================== Sources: Buffalo Express - 19 August 1902 Port Huron Times-Herald - 3 March 1922 Port Huron Times-Herald - 22 May 1922 Port Huron Times-Herald - 9 June 1922 Merchant Vessel List - 1899, 1900, 1903