Charles J. Kershaw (Propeller), U95223, aground, 29 Sep 1895

TERRIBLE GALE.
      Yesterday's Gale On The Upper Lakes One Of The Worst Storm In Years.
      EIGHTEEN SHIPS STRANDED.
      Five Steamers Aground Near Detroit And a Barge Gone To Pieces Near The "Soo".
      Fears For The Schooner CONDOR -- Excursion Steamer's Plight.
Chicago, Sept. 30. - Yesterday's storm on the lakes was one of the most violent and destructive of recent years. No less that 18 vessels have been reported stranded at various points, while reports continue to be received of others flying signals of distress.
      At Milwaukee the schooner CONDOR is long overdue, and grave fears are felt for her safety. Thirteen persons narrowly escaped drowning when the steam barge KERSHAW went on the reef at Chocolay Beach, breaking completely in two.
      Five steamers are grounded near Detroit, and the barge R.J. HENRY went to pieces on the rocks near Sault Ste. Marie. Several vessels lost deck cargoes and also were stripped of all canvas, steering gear, etc.
      The excursion steamer PURITAN, with 40 passengers, has returned to this city, having been unable to land at St. Joseph on account of the heavy sea which was running. Three attempts were made to land, but each time the boat was caught in the trough of the sea and whirled about as though it were an egg shell.
      The captain said he has never seen such rough weather on the lake before. The passengers were thoroughly frightened but no one was in any way injured.
      Buffalo Evening News
      Monday, September 30, 1895

      . . . . .
     
The steamer KERSHAW and her two consorts, the MOONLIGHT and the KENT, were driven ashore near the mouth of the Choclay River near Marquette early Sunday morning. The KERSHAW struck the reef and broke in two but the crew were rescued. The consorts' crews walked ashore.
      Port Huron Daily Times
      Monday, september 30, 1895
     
      . . . . .
     
      Some time ago Captain Hemminger, of Algomac, bought the wreck of the old steamer C. J. KERSHAW from capt. Hursley, of the Soo. She went to pieces on Chocolay Reef, near Marquette, five years ago. He is now at the scene with his wrecker, the little flat-bottomed steamer FERN, and after breaking up the machinery with dynamite, he has raised it, and says he expects to make several hundred dollars out of the sale of it and other iron in the wreck. The boiler is in good condition, and he considers it worth $1,000 on dock, and will try to put it there.
      Detroit Free Press
      September 1, 1900
     
     
     
Steam screw CHARLES J. KERSHAW. U. S. No. 125251. Of 1,323.95 tons gross; 1,108.87 tons net. Built at Bangor, Mich., in 1874. Home port, Cleveland, Ohio. 223.0 x 37.3 x 19.9 Of 400 nominal horse power.
      Merchant Vessel List, U.S., 1895