British Whig (Kingston, ON), May 8, 1883

p.3

MARINE INTELLIGENCE.

Yesterday morning the reporting of coasting vessels began.

The schooner Huron cleared for Fairhaven today with ore.

The propeller California is on the dry dock at Port Dalhousie.

The schooners White Oak and Elgin have gone to Brockville to load rye for Oswego.

The tugs Glide and Bronson arrived at Montreal yesterday with the M.T. Company's barges, the first arrivals there from the west.

Last week the steamer Pierrepont had a difficulty in reaching the Limekiln Landing at Howe Island owing to the drift of snow near the wharf.

The steamer Hiram A. Calvin left today to rescue the schooner Kate Eccles, ashore near Presque Island. Capt. J.F. Allen is in charge of the wrecking expedition.

The rate from Chicago to Kingston in corn is 6 1/2 cents. The following have charters at that rate: Schooners Halstead, F.B. Gardiner and M.J. Cummings. The Halstead carries 36,000 bushels.

The Rideau Canal is open. The wood fleet are again in motion. The steamer D.C. West, with Captain Dan Noonan on deck, has made her first round trip, arriving here yesterday afternoon.

John L. Crostwaite, of Buffalo, has purchased the barges Finch and Hawk from the Kingston and Montreal Forwarding Company. They will be used in the Buffalo sand trade. When they are put in condition the Conqueror will tow them to Port Dalhousie.

The steamer Princess Louise was launched at Parrott's Bay on Saturday at 4 o'clock. She slipped into the water beautifully,under the management of Mr. John Marks, of Portsmouth. She sits like a duck in the water. On Saturday she will probably be brought to the city. Few people witnessed the launch owing to the uncertainty of the weather.

The Bay of Quinte Yacht Club have reorganized with James Clarke, of the yacht Iolanthe, as Commodore; R.M. Roy, of the Gracie, as Vice-Commodore; R.S. Bell as Secretary, reelected for the seventh time; Wm. Pike, of the Sylvia Treasurer. The Commodore will offer a piece of plate for competition amongst the yachts belonging to the Club.

On Saturday afternoon Messrs. N. and G.W. Best, of Oswego, left that port in the steam yacht Vanhorne for Cape Vincent. A heavy fog arose after they were out a little while and soon they were completely lost. Their compass was out of order, so that they could not tell whither they were bound. They, however, ran slowly, knowing that ultimately they would strike somewhere. About 11 o'clock they ran into the harbor here and tied up until yesterday morning, when they left for the Cape and Hub House.

Accident To The Conqueror.

Yesterday the wrecking steamer Conqueror left here for Brockville, having been engaged to tow up the river the schooner Pride of America, laden with rye for Oswego. The steamer and vessel left Brockville in the evening and were proceeding up the American channel when a thick fog set in, resulting in an accident which sent the Conqueror to the bottom. Captain Michael Clarke was the pilot when the mishap occurred. When the fog settled the crafts were abreast of Wellesley Island House, a portion of the river noted for its rocky obstructions and shoals. The boat struck a glancing blow and a hole was forced in her iron sheeting on the starboard side forward. An attempt was made to plug the hole, but unsuccessfully. The water gradually gained in the hold, and it was eventually deemed advisable to make for a shallow place. Owing to the rocky condition of the river at this point the object of the Captain was not accomplished. An hour after the accident the steamer went down in 20 feet of water, aft. She lies on her side. Her crew reached Whiskey Island, where they remained during the night. Captain Thomas Donnelly lost his clothing. Others suffered a similar loss. As soon as possible Capt. Donnelly was rowed to Gananoque, whence he arrived here this morning. As soon as the American Government grant the privelege Capt. Donnelly will commence operations on the steamer, which, he says, can be easily raised by lifting her stern and pumping her out. The Conqueror is only chartered by the Wrecking Company from Mr. Ross, of Quebec, who has her fully insured. The accident, at this date in the season, is very unfortunate, as there is plenty of work for the boat to do. The tug Mixer has gone to bring up the crew.

No Orders - Vessels cannot secure freight at Fairhaven though there are over 50,000 tons of coal there awaiting shipment, and the pile is being increased at the rate of 2,000 tons per day. Coal merchants in Canada are holding off in their orders, anticipating a drop in the prices. They say there is lots of time in which to have their orders filled.

The New Laws - The new coasting regulations have gone into effect, and new forms of coasting reports, inward and outward, are required. They have been printed, for sale, at the Whig office. Shipping articles and Customs blanks generally are kept on hand.