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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 [549] REPORT OF THE STEAMSHIP INSPECTION SERVICE CASUALTIES, VIOLATIONS OF LAW, AND INVESTIGATIONS, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1907 - NINTH SUPERVISING DISTRICT LOCAL DISTRICT OF CLEVELAND, OHIO. January 27. - While the tug ALVA B. was working its way through the ice entering Cleveland Harbor, 2 planks on the port bow were cut through. Tug was placed in dry dock. Estimated damage, $250. April 9. - When fishing steamer CISCOE was about 15 miles from Lorain, Ohio, a man was missed from the steamer. A search was made but no trace of him was found. The presumption is that the man fell overboard. April 26. - While turning over the engine of the steamer JOHN C. GAULT, as she lay at her dock, without knowing the mate was at work near the rudderpost, the working boat was suddenly forced against the rudderpost resulting in the breaking of the mate's arm. April 26. - While removing the bonnet of the steam chest on steamer AMERICA, there being no pressure on the steam chest, the oiler, Gordon Blanchard, caught hold of the throttle-valve lever to pull himself up on the engine; the throttle was locked, yet the valve opened suffi- ciently to let enough steam escape to scald him, though not seriously. April 28. - While entering Cleveland Harbor, steamer NORTHERN WAVE took a shear and struck one of the heavy oak fenders on the east pier, damaging it some, and broke about six frames in the steamer. Estimated damage to steamer, $3,000. April 30. - Towing steamer L. B. JOHNSON, 42 gross tons, while on Lake Erie off Fairport sprung a leak and was beached. No one injured. Investigation to be made later. April 30. - Reported this accident May 6, 1907, and held investi- gation on May 10. After a careful examination of the testimony, ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [550] REPORT OF THE STEAMSHIP INSPECTION SERVICE CASUALTIES, VIOLATIONS OF LAW, AND INVESTIGATIONS, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1907 - NINTH SUPERVISING DISTRICT - CLEVELAND, OHIO - Continued. suspended the license of Henry Hess, engineer in charge of the tug L. B. JOHNSON, for 15 days, for negligence and unskillfulness. The tug is a total loss. Estimated value, $5,000. May 1. - While tug SUNOL was attempting to take the line of the steamer LAKE SHORE, at entrance of Ashtabula Harbor, the tug collided with the light-house crib. Investigated the case May 13, and after a careful consideration of the testimony, suspended the pilot license of Daniel McRae for a period of 20 days, because of negligence, and for violation of section 4442, Revised Statutes, and rule 5, section 23. May 3. - One of the ports in main steam valve of engine of steamer JOHN PRIDGEON, JR., blew out. The engineer made temporary repairs, and ran to Tonawanda, under check, making about 4 miles per hour. May 10. - Fire was discovered in the crew's bathroom of the steamer AUGUSTUS B. WOLVIN, the fire extinguisher was promptly used, and no serious damage done. May 16. - Steamer JOSEPH G. BUTLER, JR., while lying at the Cleve- land and Pittsburg ore dock, Cuyahoga River, was struck on port side by the steamer HEFFELFINGER, when the latter steamer, in tow of tug, attempted to pass the BUTLER. Damage will be ascertained by survey. No one injured. May 25. - Steamer ROUMANIA, while entering Cuyahoga River, and approaching Lake Shore bridge, the bridge was closed before it was reached. Backing signal to stop headway was given. Steamer dropped to one side and lightly touched tug WILLIAM KENNEDY, which was lying at her dock. May 26. - Steamer MARINA, on Lake Erie bound for Conneaut, Ohio, had a slight collision with steamer GOGEBIC upbound. Weather foggy. Steamers were going at a moderate rate of speed and sounding regular fog signals. Damage was slight, as both steamers' headway was almost stopped before collision. May 30. - Steamer NORTHERN KING, while on Lake Erie in vicinity of Colchester reef, lost her propeller wheel. She was towed to Buffalo by steamer TIOGA, where repairs were made at a cost of about $800. June 6. -Tug WELCOME, while going down the Cuyaghoga River with mud scows in tow, at the bend of Irishtown, met tug WILLIAM KENNEDY coming up with steamer W. E. FITZGERALD in tow. Owing to a heavy current, the FITZGERALD got across the channel; the WELCOME, being alongside the scows, came in contact with the bow of the FITZGERALD. A fireman on the WELCOME was injured by a timberhead breaking, to which a line was made fast. June 18. - While on Lake Erie, off Cleveland, Ohio, fire was dis- covered in the fore peak of steamer JOHN PLANKINGTON. The fire appa- ratus was brought into use, and the fire extinguished. There was but slight loss. July 18. - While steamer CITY OF ST. IGNACE was going from Cleve- land to Detroit, a man jumped overboard. The steamer was stopped, life-preservers thrown, and incandescent light used, but no trace of the man could be found. August 25. - While trying to enter Fairport Harbor during a north- east gale, the wheel chains parted on the tug KATE WHITE, causing the steamer to drift on the beach. She is a total loss, value about $3,000. No lives lost. September 1. - While steamer LAKESIDE was entering the harbor of Lorain, Ohio, the steamer URANUS was leaving Lorain, being towed out stern first. The steamer URANUS scraped the LAKESIDE's port side, doing damage to her upper works. Damage not yet estimated. September 5. - While steamer CITY OF ERIE was lying at her dock at Cleveland, the chief engineer, James Y. Rendall, undertook to replace the soft plug by a new one. He went into the boiler and while remov- ing the plug, water rushed out and came in contact with the hot ashes in the bottom of the back head; this caused steam to generate which scalded the engineer to such an extent that he died 5 days later. September 7. - While steamer SAHARA was lying at Conneaut Harbor, Ohio, fire broke out in engineer's room, damaging same to the extent of $500. No one injured. September 8. - Steamer OLYMPIA, while on voyage from Ashtabula to Cleveland, Ohio, with a cargo of iron ore, sprang a leak, and was beached to prevent sinking. She was released and placed in dry dock at Cleveland, Ohio. No loss of life. September 21. - Towing steamers SUNOL and JAME BYERS collided in Ashtabula Harbor, the JAMES BYERS being damaged to the extent of $150. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [550] REPORT OF THE STEAMSHIP INSPECTION SERVICE CASUALTIES, VIOLATIONS OF LAW, AND INVESTIGATIONS, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1907 - NINTH SUPERVISING DISTRICT - CLEVELAND, OHIO - Continued. Made investigation of the cause of collision and suspended the second- class pilot license of Thos. J. Lally of tug JAMES BYERS for 10 days. No one injured. October 8. - While steamer MARINA was moving from her dock in tow of tug KUNKLE BROTHERS, her head towline parted, causing her to strike the dock, disabling a Brown hoist, also striking steamer TURRET COURT a glancing blow. Damage as yet not estimated. No one hurt. October 11. - While steamer CITY OF NAPLES, 2,340 gross tons, was on Lake Erie, 35 miles west of Long Point, and bound for Buffalo, N.Y., the stop valve to main steam pipe on port boiler ruptured with- out any apparent cause. The escaping steam, by inhalation, caused the death of Louis Hornbusle, fireman, and James Flanagan, seaman, who took refuge in the coal bunkers and could not escape on account of the coal in bunkers falling on them. We investigated the cause of this accident, and from the testimony it is our opinion the accident was unavoidable. October 12. - Alfred Lee, a deck hand on the steamer SIR WILLIAM FAIRBAIRN, fell through a hatchway into the hold. He was removed to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. October 15. - Steamer FREDERICK B. WELLS, while entering the piers at Ashtabula Harbor, during a strong gale and heavy current, and not being able to get the assistance of a tug, an effort was made to stop the vessel's headway to avoid a collision by reversing her engine, and letting go of her starboard stockless anchor. The vessel ran on the anchor, punturing the water compartments, causing her to fill and sink at that point. The vessel was later released by lightering; after discharging her cargo, she was placed in dry-dock. Damage to bottom estimated by survey at $17,000. October 23. - While entering Ashtabula Harbor, steamer WESTERN STAR ran on what is supposed to be the abandoned anchor of steamer FREDERICK B. WELLS, punturing her bottom. After unloading, she pro- ceeded to the dry dock, where she underwent repairs. Estimated damage, $2,500. October 25. - While steamer ELBERT H. GARY was being towed out of Conneaut Harbor, stern first, her bow swung against the breakwater, sustaining damage to bow of about $2,000. Damage to breakwater unknown. Wind was north, strong westerly current. October 25. - While lying at her dock in Cleveland Harbor, the towing steamer JAMES A. QUINN, 42 gross tons, caught fire, cause unknown. Pilot house, deck house, and galley were damaged to the extent of $400. November 3. - While entering the Cleveland Harbor during a north- west gale, the steamer LeGRAND S. DeGRAFF refused to answer her helm and struck the riprap of the extension from the west breakwater, doing slight damage to her forefoot. November 4. - During a strong westerly gale, steamer EDWARD Y. TOWNSEND, after entering the piers at Ashtabula Harbor, did some damage to the steamers EUGENE ZIMMERMAN and LEWIS WOODRUFF, and sustained damage to herself to the amount of $500. November 25. - While entering Lorain Harbor, stern first, the stern of the steamer SHELDON PARKS struck the pier, breaking the rudder quadrant and wheel. Estimated damage, $3,000. November 30. - While leaving Ashtabula Harbor, the steamer WALTER SCRANTON struck the east breakwater, damaging her wheel. December 1. - While steamer UMBRIA was going out of Ashtabula Harbor, in making the turn to go through the bridge, her stern swung over and struck the tug THOMAS WILSON, which was lying at her dock, damaging the WILSON's pilot house and part of the deck contiguous thereto. No one injured. The master of the UMBRIA stated that he withheld the report until he communicated with the tug THOMAS WILSON as to the damage. December 4. - While on Lake Erie it was discovered that steamer JOLIET's wheel had been working loose. On arrival at Cleveland, the steamer was ordered into dry dock for repairs to wheel. Expense of repairs not yet known. LOCAL DISTRICT OF BUFFALO, N.Y. January 20. - During a heavy gale, a portion of Buffalo breakwater was destroyed, and a number of large vessels that were laid up for the winter behind it were blown ashore. All were subsequently released ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [552] REPORT OF THE STEAMSHIP INSPECTION SERVICE CASUALTIES, VIOLATIONS OF LAW, AND INVESTIGATIONS, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1907 - NINTH SUPERVISING DISTRICT - BUFFALO, N.Y. - Continued. except the WILLIAM NOTTINGHAM, of 4,234 gross tons, and HURLBUT W. SMITH, of 4,662 gross tons, which were left stranded high and dry, they being without cargo. A channel was dredged out and the NOTTING- HAM was floated June 28 and the SMITH July 15. April 17. - Steamer TUSCARORA encountered an ice jam outside of Buffalo breakwater and broke propeller wheel. Damage $400. April 24. - While tug JOHN KELDERHOUSE was en route from Buffalo to Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., she sprang a leak and was beached near Dunkirk, N.Y. Steamer was subsequently abandoned. Loss, $2,500. April 25 and 27. - Steamers NORTHERN KING and NORTHERN WAVE cleared from the port of Buffalo with expired certificates of inspection. Cases were reported to the collector of customs at Buffalo, who imposed the prescribed penalty. May 2. - Suspended licenses of Daniel L. Cartwright and Edmond A. Fleming, master and pilots, for 10 days each, in connection with the navigation of steamer NORTHERN WAVE on an expired certificate of inspection. May 9. - Suspended license of Ernest C. Leath, master and pilot, for 10 days in connection with the navigation of steamer NORTHERN KING on an expired certificate of inspection. May 15. - At the inspection of steamer W. H. SAWYER there was found on board and offered for inspection as a part of the life-saving equipment of said steamer a metallic lifeboat that had been condemned on board steamer CHILI on April 6, 1907. The lifeboat had evidently been sold in violation of section 4488, Revised Statutes, and the matter was reported to the United States attorney at Buffalo. May 27. - Reported to the collector of customs at Buffalo the tug PETREL for carrying passengers for hire, and also suspended license of Mathew Lutz, first-class pilot, for 5 days for misconduct in connection with this case. May 31. - While steamer WALLULA was lying at the Reading coal dock, Charles Williams, a watchman, fell into the hold and sustained injuries from which he died the same day. June 23. - While steamer TITANIA was lying at her dock at Char- lotte, N.Y., an unknown man, in attempting to get off the steamer, fell between steamer and dock and was drowned. July 7. - Steamer HENRY KOERBER, JR., carried more passengers than allowed by certificate, as per count of a customs inspector. Matter was investigated, and license of George Bohn, first-class pilot in charge, was suspended for 30 days. July 8. - While steamer MERIDA was entering the gap of the south breakwater, she collided with a mud scow that was being towed by the tug P. B. McNAUGHTON, sinking the scow. Case investigated and no vio- lation found. July 11. - While tug GRACE DANFORTH was in Lake Erie near Buffalo, a strap on upper end of connecting rod of engine let go and damaged machinery to the amount of $400. July 14 and 15. - Steamer GEORGE E. LATTIMER was navigated on Lake Erie in violation of certificate of inspection. Matter investigated, and license of Thomas F. Morlin, master and pilot, and Joseph Smith, first-class pilot, suspended for 10 days each, and case reported to the collector of customs at Buffalo. August 14. - In thick and smoky weather, steamer E. W. OGLEBAY went aground at Point Abino, Lake Erie. Part of cargo lightered and vessel released, with slight damage. August 17. - Steamer HENRY KOERBER, JR., while towing barge LOTTIE KOERBER, carried an excursion party down the Niagara River without having all the life-saving and fire-fighting equipment on board in good condition. August 23 license of George Bohn, first-class pilot in charge, suspended for 15 days in connection with the case. August 17. - Steamer GEORGE DITTLY, towing passenger barge GEO. H. STRIKER, navigated the Niagara River with an excursion party without having all the equipment on board in good condition. August 21 license of Joseph Day, second-class pilot in charge, suspended for 15 days. August 17. - Steamer MOON, towing passenger barge GOODWILL, navi- gated the Niagara River with an excursion party without having all the equipment on board and in good condition. August 23 license of George Moon, jr., second-class pilot in charge of steamer, was suspended for 15 days. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [553] REPORT OF THE STEAMSHIP INSPECTION SERVICE CASUALTIES, VIOLATIONS OF LAW, AND INVESTIGATIONS, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1907 - NINTH SUPERVISING DISTRICT - BUFFALO, N.Y. - Continued. August 17. - While steamer UTICA was being loaded at the New York Central dock fire broke out in the hold, resulting in the death of 3 laborers. Cause of fire unknown. No damage to steamer. August 21. - Motor boat BLUE BELL carried passengers at Olcott Beach, Lake Ontario, in excess of the number of life-preservers on board, as per count of a customs inspector. Matter investigated, and license of David M. Wheeler, operator in charge of motor boats, sus- pended for 15 days, and case reported to the collector of customs at Niagara Falls. August 21. - About 9 p.m., while tug S. W. GEE was towing steamer NEPTUNE in the Buffalo Harbor, with other vessels maneuvering in the vicinity, the tug suddenly overturned and sunk, drowning the engineer, William Whelan, and fireman, Michael Malone. Case was investigated on August 27, and no violation found. August 23. - While steamer CITY OF ERIE was maneuvering in Buffalo Harbor she came in contact with abutment of Michigan Street bridge, damaging steamer to the amount of $500. August 28. - Upon making examination of ferry steamer NIAGARA, it was found that she was being navigated with some of the fire-fighting and life-saving equipment out of order and in bad condition; also that the boat and fire drills had not been regularly held, as required by the rules and regulations. August 31 suspended license of William E. McMurray, master and pilot of the steamer, for 15 days. September 5. - In the evening, while steamer CLARION was lying at Commercial street dock, William Casey, a watchman, fell overboard and was drowned. September 8. - In the evening, while steamer MOON, with barge GOODWILL in tow, was coming up the Niagara River, James McNally, a passenger, jumped or fell overboard and was drowned, the body being recovered several days later below Niagara Falls. September 11. - About 4 p.m., steamer ALEX NIMICK collided with steamer S. S. CURRY in the Blackwell Canal, Buffalo Harbor. Case investigated and license of Frank Bertrand, master and pilot of steamer ALEX NIMICK, suspended for 30 days for violation of the pilot rules. September 12. - While tug FLORENCE YATES was winding steamer TORONTO at Charlotte, N.Y., lineman Patrick Sullivan became entangled in the lines, went overboard, and was drowned. September 15. - About 2:45 a.m., while steam yacht ANEMONE was in boathouse at the foot of Ferry street, fire broke out and the steamer was totally destroyed. Loss, $5,000. Cause of fire unknown. September 19. - While steamer MAJESTIC was in the vicinity of Long Point, Lake Erie, fire broke out about 1 a.m., and the vessel was burned to the water's edge, and sunk. The crew was taken aboard steamer CHARLEMAGNE TOWER, which was in the vicinity, and assisted in the efforts to extinguish the flames. Origin of fire unknown. Loss, $7,500. September 22. - In the evening, the local inspectors boarded steamer GEORGE DITTLY at the foot of Bridge street, which had an excursion party on board, and found Joseph Day, second-class pilot in charge, in an extremely intoxicated condition. September 25 license of said Joseph Day was suspended for 1 year for foregoing violation. October 7. - About 5 a.m., while steamer SCHOOLCRAFT was lying at her dock at Tonawanda, N.Y., Louis Stewart, second engineer, fell into the hold and was instantly killed. October 8. - While steamer SUPERIOR was navigating Buffalo Harbor, the strong current caused her to come in contact with the tug E. E. FROST, squeezing the tug against the dock. Damage to tug, $500. October 10. - While tug GENEVIEVE was coming up the Niagara River, in the vicinity of Strawberry Island, crank shaft broke, damaging machinery to the amount of $125. October 17. - In the morning, while the new tug JOHN KELDERHOUSE was coming through the Blackwell Canal, Buffalo Harbor, the steering gear became disarranged and the tug collided with the Michigan street bridge, knocking off the pilot house. Damage, $200. November 2. - About 7:30 a.m., while tug MYRTIE was entering the Niagara River with a scow in tow, the towline parted; and, in attempt- ing to recover the scow, the wheel chains on the tug parted and the tug went on Bird Island reef. The tug was broken up before she could ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [554] REPORT OF THE STEAMSHIP INSPECTION SERVICE CASUALTIES, VIOLATIONS OF LAW, AND INVESTIGATIONS, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1907 - NINTH SUPERVISING DISTRICT - BUFFALO, N.Y. - Continued. be released, and is a total loss; amount, $5,000. November 2. - Steamer DOROTHY navigated Lake Ontario in violation of the route prescribed by certificate of inspection. November 14 license of George Moon, sr., master and pilot, was suspended for 15 days for said violation, and matter reported to the collector of customs at Buffalo. Case appealed to the supervising inspector, ninth district, who sustained the local inspectors in their action. November 6. - About 4:30 p.m., when ferry steamer C. PERSONS SONS and scow were making landing at the Tonawanda dock, a man on the dock jumped onto the apron piece of ferry slip, causing it to go down and crushing the leg of Edward Gunton, a deck hand, from which shock he soon died. November 13. - While steamer FRANK H. PEAVEY, was maneuvering in Buffalo Harbor with the aid of tugs, the towline parted, and on account of the strong wind the steamer drifted on the beach with anchor dragging. Several plates were indented and anchor chain lost. December 23. - While steamer VALIANT was lying at the Booth dock, Erie, Pa., fire broke out in the pilot house and destroyed the upper works of steamer. Damage, $600. Cause of fire unknown. LOCAL DISTRICT OF OSWEGO, N.Y. April 6. - About 12 m. fire broke out in the deck house on steamer SPORT, anchored in lower bay at Alexander Bay, N.Y. No person on board. Believed to be caused by rats gnawing matches. Fire extinguished by village fire department. Damage, $3,100. April 9. - About 5 p.m., while the tug TONAWANDA was towing a schooner into the harbor of Oswego, a man named Abram Emlau, 45 years of age, fell overboard and was drowned. Mr. Emlau was a resident of Oswego, and not a member of the crew. June 5. - About 9:30 p.m., freight steamer WM. J. AVERELL, en route from Chicago to Ogdensburg, stranded on Seven Isles Point, River St. Lawrence. Lightered 200 tons of flour, and was pulled off by steamer HENRY R. JAMES at 5 p.m., June 6. The only damage reported was a twisted rudderstock. July 2. - About 7:30 p.m., steamer HAVANA, en route from Quebec to Erie, with pulp wood, collided with steamer PRESCOTT, at lock No. 1, Lachine Canal. Collision was the result of the PRESCOTT breaking head gates and being carried back against bow of the HAVANA, causing the HAVANA to leak so much that she had to be beached. No estimate of the amount of damage reported. July 20. - About 2:30 p.m., steam yacht SAY WHEN struck on Sturgeon Shoal, River St. Lawrence, and filled. Subsequently floated and taken to dry dock at Kingston, Canada. Damage estimated at $250. August 14. - About 10:15 p.m., when the side-wheel steamer ST. LAWRENCE was near Fiddlers Elbow, in the Canadian channel of the River St. Lawrence, the piston rod suddenly broke at crosshead end. Piston dropped to bottom of cylinder, breaking piston and also the condenser. Cost of repairs reported at $589.86. August 17. - About noon the steamer CAPTAIN VISGER broke propeller shaft. The passengers were transferred and landed at Thousand Island Park, River St. Lawrence. Estimated cost of repairs, $175. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [555] REPORT OF THE STEAMSHIP INSPECTION SERVICE CASUALTIES, VIOLATIONS OF LAW, AND INVESTIGATIONS, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1907 - NINTH SUPERVISING DISTRICT - OSWEGO, N.Y. - Continued. August 30. - In the afternoon, while Arthur Merritt, an employee of the Thousand Island Steamboat Company, was scrubbing outside of steamer ST. LAWRENCE, then lying at government wharf, Kingston, Canada, he fell into the water and was drowned. The body was recovered in a few minutes, but all efforts at resuscitation failed. September 11. - When the towing steamer MIGNON, of 23 gross tons, was just above Sacketts Harbor, N.Y., one of the tubes in her Roberts water-tube boiler gave way by splitting. The MIGNON was towed into the harbor. Subsequently a shell boiler was substituted for the water-tube boiler. September 23. - About 4:30 p.m., fire was discovered on the freight steamer RINGLEADER, lying at wharf in Oswego River. Origin of fire unknown. Fire extinguished by use of vessel's own pumps and assis- tance of Oswego fire department. Damage to pilot house, $100. September 25. - Fred M. Baldwin, pilot, was found guilty of negli- gence on the steamer NEW WESTMINSTER and his license was suspended for 10 days. September 26. - Newton W. Penney, chief engineer of steamer NEW WESTMINSTER, was found guilty of intemperance and his license was suspended for 30 days. September 29. - About 4:15 p.m., steamer OGDENSBURG collided with the steamer J. S. KEEFE, lying at Prescott elevator dock, River St. Lawrence, damaging 2 side plates, 2 deck plates, rail angle, angle iron, and davit bracket. Subsequent report states no damage to steamer OGDENSBURG. Estimated damage to steamer J. S. KEEFE, $50. LOCAL DISTRICT OF TOLEDO, OHIO April 13. - Steamer OCEANICA, when about 10 miles northeast of Southeast Shoal light-ship, Lake Erie, en route from Buffalo to Duluth, the crank pin of low-pressure engine became loose. A new pin was provided. Estimated cost of replacing same, $200. No one injured. April 25. - About 4:30 p.m., while steamer GEORGE PANKRATZ was en route from Sandusky, Ohio, to Lorain, Ohio, with scow in tow, the main steam valve of steam pipe broke. No one injured. The disabled steam- er was towed to Sandusky, Ohio, for repairs. April 27. - Whil proceeding on the usual course between Pelee Middle Ground and Colchester reef, the steamer CITY OF GLASGOW, of Fairport, Ohio, gross tonnage 2,400, struck a submerged obstruction sufficiently hard as to come almost to a standstill. The towing cable also fouled the obstruction, parting the cable, breaking the towing machine, and causing the barge which the steamer was towing to collide with the steamer. Estimated amount of damage to steamer, $2,500. No personal injury reported. May 31. - Steamer WILLIAM CHISHOLM, 1,581 gross tons, while pro- ceeding to the Hanna ore docks at Sandusky, Ohio, standed on some bowlders in the channel, doing considerable damage to the steamer's bottom. The steamer was later released and went to Lorain, Ohio, for repairs. Estimated amount of damage to hull, $2,500. July 7. - At 6:30 p.m., while steamer A. WEHRLE, JR., of Sandusky, Ohio, 421 gross tons, was leaving Cedar Point for Sandusky, Ohio, the crosshead of the engine broke. The break was caused by a flaw in the metal. Amount of damage, $175. No one injured. July 18. - A number of violations of the Pilot Rules for the Great Lakes were discovered by the collector of customs on the Maumee River, at Toledo, Ohio. The violations consisted in neglect to have mooring or anchor lights on steamers McCORMICK, H. G. BROOKS, and SHEBOYGAN; failure of several motor vessels to have the necessary lights and whistles and the placard form of pilot rules aboard, and several sail- ing yachts were found without mooring or anchor lights. The steamers McCORMICK and H. G. BROOKS were not in commission at the time the vio- lations occurred, and had not been for some time previous thereto. The cases were disposed of by the collector of customs at Toledo, Ohio. August 9. - The British passenger steamer KAMINISTIQUIA, of Port Arthur, Ontario, was reported to the collector of customs at Sandusky, Ohio, and to the district attorney for navigating with passengers aboard without having been inspected by United States inspectors and ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [556] REPORT OF THE STEAMSHIP INSPECTION SERVICE CASUALTIES, VIOLATIONS OF LAW, AND INVESTIGATIONS, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1907 - NINTH SUPERVISING DISTRICT - TOLEDO, OHIO. - Continued. for departing from the route specified on said vessel's current British certificate of inspection, which route is defined thereon as being between Port Arthur and Rasport, both being Canadian ports. The said vessel arrived at the port of Sandusky, Ohio, August 9, 1907, about 11:45 a.m., with a number of passengers aboard, and departed on the same day at 5:15 p.m., with about 20 or 25 passengers. Said ves- sel's current British certificate of inspection expires April 25, 1908. August 14. - Steamer SIR HENRY BESSEMER, of 4,321 gross tons, while coming out of Sandusky Bay, ran aground on the west bank of the chan- nel. The water receded and it became necessary to lighter about 75 tons of the vessel's cargo of coal before the vessel could be re- leased, involving an outlay of about $200. The vessel sustained no apparent damage. August 23. - Reported to the collector of customs at Sandusky, Ohio, and district attorney violation of section 4426, Revised Statutes, on the part of Leo Mack, William Wolf, and Lon Wolf, operators and navigators of motor vessels, duly licensed by this office, in having defective life-preservers on board their vessels at Port Clinton, Ohio. The license of each of said persons was suspended for a period of 60 days. August 26. - Received report from the deputy collector of customs at Port Clinton, Ohio, that on August 24, 1907, he found defective life-preservers on board the motor vessel NORTON B. at Port Clinton, Ohio. Said vessel was engaged in carrying passengers for hire, and its owner and operator, Henry Carsten, was duly licensed for such service by this office. Investigation pending in regard to violation of section 4426, Revised Statutes, reported herewith. August 27. - About 7:50 p.m., steamers ISAAC L. ELLWOOD and A. G. BROWER collided near Bar Point, Lake Erie, which resulted in the sink- ing of steamer ISAAC L. ELLWOOD. The cause of the collision has not as yet been ascertained. It is unofficially reported that the steamer A. G. BROWER was temporarily repaired at Detroit, Mich., and proceeded on her course. Amount of damage not known. No loss of life or per- sonal injury reported. September 3. - Since reporting to your office August 31, 1907, re- garding the collision of steamers ISAAC L. ELLWOOD and A. G. BROWER at Bar Point, August 27, 1907, we have received and carefully reviewed the sworn reports of the masters of both vessels. There is nothing to indicate, in either of said reports, that there was any violation of law, the passing signals being properly exchanged in ample time and same understood by the master of each vessel. Judging from the facts in the case as presented, we hold that the collision may be ascribed to circumstances and conditions incident to heavily loaded ships meet- ing and passing in channels where the water is shallow and, as in the present case, where vessels are meeting at a turning point, it having come under our observation during the time of our practical experi- ence, that heavily laden ships, at this particular turning point (Bar Point) are less liable to respond to an alteration of the helm than when without cargo. Damage to hull of steamer A. G. BROWER, $15,000; to cargo, $500. Damage to steamer ISAAC L. ELLWOOD not reported. No loss of life or personal injury. September 6. - At 2:08 p.m., while attempting to cross the bow of steamer NORTH WEST, near Detroit River light, 2 unknown men in a row- boat, fearing a collision was about to occur, jumped into the water. Several cork ring buoys were thrown to them by persons aboard the steamer and one of the men was saved. The other was drowned, despite efforts that were made to save him. It was reported that the steamer was running under check just prior to the casualty; that her engines were immediately reversed; and, had the men remained in the boat, they would have been perfectly safe, as the steamer did not touch either the rowboat or the men. September 11. - Concluded investigation into alleged violation of section 4426, Revised Statutes, by Henry Carsten, licensed operator and navigator of motor vessel NORTON B., of Port Clinton, Ohio, en- gaged in carrying passengers for hire, and he was found guilty of hav- ing defective life-preservers on board said vessel, as charged. The license of said Henry Carsten was accordingly suspended for 60 days. September 13. - At 10 p.m., during smoky weather, the steamer DAVID W. RUST, 884 gross tons, ran ashore at Point Pelee. Her con- sort, the C. C. BARNES, ran into her stern, causing damages estimated ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [557] REPORT OF THE STEAMSHIP INSPECTION SERVICE CASUALTIES, VIOLATIONS OF LAW, AND INVESTIGATIONS, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1907 - NINTH SUPERVISING DISTRICT - TOLEDO, OHIO. - Continued. at $3,000. The steamer released herself later. No lives lost. September 24. - Steamer SPOKANE, 2,356 gross tons, collided with the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad bridge at Toledo, Ohio, doing considerable damage to the structure, the amount of which was not reported. Two vessels were aground near the bridge at the time of the accident, and while trying to keep clear of these vessels the SPOKANE struck the bridge. The current was quite strong at the time, and this fact, in our opinion, was a contributory cause of the accident. No loss of life or personal injury reported. October 5. - Steamer MARY C. ELPHICKE, 4,998 gross tons, ran aground just below Bar Point light-house. After lightering some of the cargo, the vessel was released by the steamer G. WATSON FRENCH. The MARY C. ELPHICKE sustained damage to some of her plates, occasion- ed by the G. WATSON FRENCH while working around her. Estimated amount of damage to hull of MARY C. ELPHICKE, $2,000. October 6. - Steamer JOLIET, 1,935 gross tons, while leaving the port of Sandusky, Ohio, coal laden, stranded in the channel. The water was 14 inches below normal at the time. On October 8, with water at normal stage, the steamer released herself without damage. October 8. - At 9 p.m., steamer LIZZIE MADDEN, while coming from Sandusky, Ohio, to Kelleys Island to pick up her consort, the steamer CHARLES WALL, ran aground when to the eastward of the South dock, Kelleys Island. The night was very dark; atmosphere smoky. The vessel was released without damage October 11. Cost of accident, $700. October 11. - Steamer CHARLES WESTON, 6,996 gross tons, ran aground at Huron, Ohio; while trying to release herself, the propeller wheel struck some obstruction, causing some damage around the bracket or wheel. The steamer was released October 12. Amount of damage not reported. ===========================================================================