DETROIT RIVER TUGS AT CHICAGO. - The Chicago papers of Saturday, in noticing the arrival of the tugs Champion and Crusader, with their disabled schooners, make particular mention of the Champion for her size and beautiful model. The Times calls her the "giant tug." The Inter-Ocean says:
The Champion is one of the finest and most powerful tugs afloat anywhere. She has never been in Chicago before, and was regarded with a great deal of interest. The following are her dimensions: Length, 134 feet 6 inches; beam 21 1/2 feet; depth of hold 7 feet, 8 inches; measurement, 263 tons. She had two beautiful high-pressure engines, 26 1/2x30*, which were designed by Mr. Thomas Murphy, the well-known machinist and engineer, and who acted as engineer of the Champion this trip. She also has a patent grate, gotten up by Mr. Murphy, which will burn slack coal**, and which is considered a decided and useful improvement. Several experts visited the boat as she laid at the dock, all of whom were loud in their praises of her in every respect. Her model is good; she is strongly but smoothly built, and is completely equipped in every detail. Her great power, however, is what always attracts attention to her. She is the property of the Strong estate, and is managed, among other boats, by Mr. John R. Gillette, of Detroit.
Concerning the disabled schooners which they had in tow the Tribune says:
Both the James C. King and the Crossthwaite [sic] were disabled in the tow off a week ago last Thursday by the loss of their canvas. The King was towed from Tawas, and the Crossthwaite from Crawford's Quarry. There was only a jib left of the King's sails, and not one whole piece of the Crossthwaite's canvas. The towing bill of the former was $1,900, and some dispute arose over it on the arrival of the vessel in port. When a vessel is disabled, the large tugs charge $250 for their services, but under ordinary circumstances $80 would have been charged the King for towing her up from Tawas.
Capt. Ballentine, of the Crusader, stated Friday evening that he would probably proceed to Cheboygan and remain there for the rest of the season in the towing and wrecking business.