Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: 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. =========================================================================== NAME: Ira H. Owen OTHER NAME(s): - REASON: Foundered in 1905 storm DATE: 28 Nov 1905 LOCATION: off Outer Island (Apostle group) TYPE: propeller HULL TYPE: composite steel & wood BUILDER: Globe Iron Works, Cleveland, OH Launched July 8, 1887 OWNER: Owen Line, Chicago, IL Sold to National Steamship Co., Milwaukee, WI - 1899 MASTER: Captain Joseph Hulligan, of Buffalo, N.Y. (Captain Thomas Honner in temporary command) TONNAGE: 1753.22 gt LENGTH: 262 ft BEAM: 39 ft DEPTH: 19 ft CASUALTIES: 19 SURVIVORS: 0 November 27, 1891 - Ashore just above the Soo. June 17, 1892, while 16 miles off Ludington, Lake Michigan, the Ira H. Owen and Belle Brown collided in a dense fog. The cabin of the Owen was badly damaged but she fared better than the Belle Brown which was towed into Ludington by the Owen. On July 20, 1897, the Ira H. Owen and steamer Susquehanna collided in a thick fog off Presque Isle Point, Lake Huron. Local inspectors deter- mined that Sidney O. Neff, First Mate of the Ira H. Owen was to blame for the collision and his license suspended for 90 days. The decision was reversed by Supervising inspector Galway of the Detroit district. October 13, 1904, while proceeding up St. Marys River with a cargo of coal the Ira H. Owen collided with the down bound steamer Henry W. Oliver. The Owen was damaged so badly that she had to be immediately beached to prevent her sinking in deep water. The license of Captain George C. Graham was revoked for 6 months for negligence in handling the Ira H. Owen at the time of the collision. The Ira H. Owen and her entire crew of 19 were lost off Outer Island of the Apostle Group, Lake Superior, during the "Mataafa" storm of November, 1905. She had been downward bound from Duluth with 116,500 bu. of barley. Although onboard, Captain Hulligan had taken ill and First Mate Thomas Honner, of Grand Haven, was in command. The steamer Jenks, making for Two Harbors, had reported seeing a double stacked steamer in distress but could offer no assistance because of the severity of the storm. Also spotted by the steamer H. G. Nye blowing distress signals. The Nye could render no assistance but stood by until the weather began to moderate. By then the Owen was nowhere to be seen. Among the crew of the Ira H. Owen were: Captain - Joseph Hulligan, Buffalo, N.Y. First Mate - Thomas Honner, Grand Haven, MI Second Mate - M. Haggerty First Engineer - H. Buchanan Second Engineer - J. B. Alger Oiler - B. B. Hook Wheelsmen - M. J. Jacobs & L. Montsay Lookouts - C. McKay & J. Knudsen ======================================================================== Sources: Chicago Tribune, July 8, 1887 Detroit Free Press, July 21, 1897 Detroit Free Press, August 21, 1897 Buffalo Enquirer, June 17, 1892 Buffalo Enquirer, Nov 27, 1891 Buffalo Evening News, October 17, 1904 Buffalo Evening News, February 17, 1905 Grand Haven Tribune, December 2, 1905 Reports of the Department of Commerce and Labor, 1905