Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2016 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: William P. Rend OTHER NAME(s): George G. Hadley (renamed 1902) OFFICIAL NO: 86026 DATE OF LOSS: 22 September 1917 CAUSE OF LOSS: Storm LOCATION: Lake Huron, off North Point RIG TYPE: Propeller, bulk freight (converted to a barge in 1915) HULL TYPE: Wood BUILDER: James Davidson, West Bay City, MI - 1888 OWNER(S): Jos. Boland, Buffalo MASTER: ? TONNAGE: 2,073 gt (2,323 gt in 1905) DIMENSIONS: 287.6 x 40 x 26.6 CASUALTIES: none Driven ashore in a storm and broke up by waves. Documents surrendered at Buffalo, 19 December 1917, "Vessel foundered, total loss." Sept., 1893 - Collision with the CODORUS at mouth of the East Minnesota slip, Duluth, sinking the CODORUS which was later raised and repaired. 7 Sept. 1895 - lost her rudder in a high sea while five miles off Eagle river, Lake Superior. The steamer ARABIA, downbound, maneuvered close enough to pass two hawsers to the stern of the HADLEY and acted as a rudder in steering her back to Duluth. HADLEY was libeled for salvage claim. Claim granted to ARABIA. 7 June 1902 - Rammed the whaleback THOMAS WILSON at Duluth, sinking the WILSON within minutes. The HADLEY had barely made shore before sinking. License of Capt. Michael Fitzgerald was revoked for gross violation of the rules of navigation. Taken to Milwaukee for repairs where she was renamed WILLIAM P. REND. She had just come out of the Shipowner's drydock in Chicago after $15,000 in repairs from an earlier mishap. An excerpt from the Chicago Tribune, June 9, 1902, in speaking of her career reads: "There was nothing about the steamer to indicate a hoodoo. It was built after the accepted plans of a modern wooden freight steamer, and was accounted a good boat. It was named after its first owner, George G. Hadley of Detroit, and he took a party of friends on the maiden trip up Lake Superior. The steamer started in right away by losing its rudder, and drifted about the lake until picked up and towed into port. "The rest of the boat's career was a good deal of the same thing. If there was a chance for the HADLEY to meet misfortune it did so. The compass went wrong and a strand- ing resulted if the weather was thick, and the boat showed a wonderful faculty for finding the shoal spots in the rivers. Changes of captains made no difference, for the hoodoo worked day and night and the Hadley rarely missed a season without getting into some serious scrape." 6 May 1905 - Stranded on a rocky reef off Manitou Island, Lake Superior, in a dense fog. Alleged that the light keeper failed to sound the fog-whistle. The Duluth Evening Herald of May 6, 1905, read: "HOODOO IS FATAL - It would seem that the hoodoo steamer HADLEY, re-named the W. P. REND, has seen her finish." It was said that in her career she had alrady cost her owners and the underwriters $250,000 in repairs. "She also has a record of finding more shoals and rocks and more ways of getting on shore than almost any other steamer that has ever sailed the lakes. Vessel men will tell you she was 'hoodooed' and few were seeking a berth on her." Predictions of her demise were premature as she was again released, rebuilt and readmeasured. Oct., 1912 - Went ashore 10 miles south of Milwaukee. Bound Buffalo to Chicago with coal. When launched she was the largest wooden steamer on the lakes. ======================================================================== Sources: Marine Record, 28 March 1889 Oswego Daily Times, 19 September 1893 Marine Review, 3 June 1897 Marine Record, 19 June 1902; 7 August 1902 Milwaukee Journal, 7 June 1902; 13 September 1902 Annual Report of the U.S.L.S.S. - 1903 The Federal Reporter, Vol. 126 - 1904 Reports of the Department of Commerce and Labor, 1905 The Coal Trade Journal, Vol. 44, 1912 Certificate of Enrollment, 1915 Green's Marine Directory, 1916 Swayze, David D. "Shipwreck!" - 1992