Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. 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. =========================================================================== The Manistee Times, Manistee, Michigan Saturday, November 4th, 1871 VOL. XII, No. 35 WHOLE NO. 347 TUG ECLIPSE BURNED On Saturday about 2 o'clock, the tug ECLIPSE, of this city, was totally destroyed by fire while lying at Lakeport, a place on the shore of Lake Huron. The fire caught about the boilers, and when discovered had made such headway that it could not be put out, nor could the tug be scuttled. The consequence was that the vessel became a total loss, the crew saving only a part of their effects. The ECLIPSE was a large tug and some 13 years old, but recently re- built. She was valued at $12,000 at least, and was in fine order when destroyed, having been housed in and being almost as good as new. She was owned by Mr. J. B. Scott, shipbroker of this city, and the in- surance small, though the exact amount we have not been able to learn -- Detroit Tribune LOSS OF THE RICHMOND Her Total Destruction by Fire - Loss $100,000 at Least - One Person Believed Drowned On Thursday morning last the fine propeller DEAN RICHMOND, while off her usual route between Chicago and Buffalo, on a special voyage from Duluth to Buffalo, was totally destroyed by fire in Mud Lake, between the Sault and Detour. She left Duluth on Tuesday, and on Wednesday night came to an- chor in Mud Lake, on account of the smoke in the air. A little be- for 6 o'clock in the morning dense smoke was noticed pouring out from the vicinity of the boilers, and it was discovered that the boat was on fire. An effort was made to check the progress of the flames, but it proved fruitless, and officers, crew and passengers were compelled to abandon the steamer to save their lives. The boats were lowered and many persons escaped in them. Some, however, jumped into the water, and were afterwards pulled into the boats. Others got upon planks and other means of support, and kept afloat for some time supported by these. Only one life was lost, that of Lucy Mora, the chambermaid, and the only woman on board. She tipped of a gang plank, upon which she and the mate had taken refuge, and seems to have been drowned in the confusion before assistance could be rendered her. The passengers and crew arrived here on Saturday by the propellers MINERAL ROCK and CLEVELAND. James Pratt was Captain of the RICHMOND; James Edgecomb, first mate, and Christopher Cullen second mate. The following are the names of the six passengers on board, with their residences: Wm. Davis, Durham, Ont.; Wm. Hickey, Coburg, Ont.; Edwin Amsden, Florence, Ont.; W. W. Banning, Chatham; D. N. McMillan, Wardsville; Wm. Dick, Fendon Falls, Ont. It seems that after a time all the people, except the chambermaid, were got into the boats, and they shortly started up toward a place knowns as "Sailors Encampment." They soon, however, met the MINER- AL ROCK and were picked up, part re- maining on her and part being transferred to the CLEVELAND. Al- most nothing was saved from the steamer except some of the proper- ty under the control of the clerk, and there was no insurance on the vessel, as the Union Steamboat Company, to which the RICHMOND belonged, takes the risks on their boats themselves. The lost steamer was built in 1864 at Cleveland, and was of 1,083 tons register. She was at first owned by the Winslows, and was afterwards sold by them to the Union Steam- boat Company. She was in fine or- der, having recently been repaired throughout, and was valued at $65,- 000. Her cargo consisted chiefly of 32,000 bushels of wheat, consigned to J. M. Richmond & Co., and Pres- ton & Wright, of Buffalo. It is not known whether any insurance had been effected on the cargo or not. Some of the passengers charge that as soon as the fire was discov- ered, the captain and some of the crew hastily jumped into one of the boats and deserted the vessel. It is alleged that there was no discipline on the boat as there should be in such emergencies, and that the scene was one of the wildest confusion. It is natural that something of a panic should ensue under such cir- cumstances among passengers not accustomed to danger, but it is cer- tain that the passenger boats on the lakes are not managed with proper discipline. If the charges to which we have referred are well-founded, there is need for action by the own- ers of the vessel. - Detroit Tribune. - NOTICE. - The undersigned picked up a Yawl boat on the beach near Portage on the 18th inst. It was capsized and four oars were fasten- ed to it. The owner can have the boat by proving property, paying charges and taking it away. Joseph Bunch ===========================================================================