The Dixon Burned

The Steamer Hiram M. Dixon, owned by the Dominion Fish Co. which is the Canadian Branch of the Booth Packing company was destroyed by fire at Michipicoten Island on Tuesday night.

The fire which resulted in the loss of the boat started in the engine room while the steamer was lying at the dock after she had finished unloading her cargo. It burst forth so suddenly that the crew and passengers on board had to devote nearly all their energies to getting ashore themselves without taking many of their belongings. IT burned very fast and in but a few minutes after starting there remained only the charred hull, from the water line down. There was no one burned or injured, although one of the crew who at the time was in bed had a narrow escape, and many of those on board lost their clothes and other belongings. Capt. Ganley will probably be the heaviest loser, having lost some two hundred dollars worth of property. It is a lucky thing the fire did not commence while the steamer was put on the lake for it had burned as rapidly in such a case it is doubtful if all could have been saved.

The Hiram R. Dixon was commanded by Captain James Ganley, known as one of the most skillful navigators of the upper lake. The crew came to the Soo last evening on the tug Ainsworth of the fishing fleet stationed at Michipicoten Island.

R. N. Van Norman of this city fisheries inspector for the Dominion government, was the only passenger on the steamer Dixon when she was burned and as he was on the dock at the time the fire started he lost many of his effects.

The destroyed vessel was a craft of 265 net tons; length and beam 150, 20 and was built in 1883. She is owned by the Dominion Fish Com. of Winnipeg Man.

The Dixon was partially insured. The boat was originally built for ocean service, but was soon after brought to the great lakes. It ran out of Duluth for a time and previous to being brought here was in service on Georgian Bay one season.

It was announced this morning that another boat will be placed on the route in the near future, but as yet it has not been decided what craft it will be.