British Whig (Kingston, ON), Jan. 10, 1884

p.2

STEAMER SPARTAN.

Detroit, Jan. 8th - Last June the Canadian steamer Spartan was wrecked near Cariboo Island, Lake Superior, and abandoned. She was brought subsequently to Detroit by the tug Winslow and repaired by the Detroit Dry Dock Company, and libelled by them for dockage and repairs in the sum of $22,090.67. The case came up in the United States District Court, and her owners failing to put in an appearance judgement went by default. Yesterday a final decree and order of sale for Jan. 22nd were made by Judge Brown. It appears that the owners did not consider it worth while to pay the sum for repairs and duties thereon. If the boat is sold the purchaser will be unable to get her registered as a United States bottom without an Act of Congress to that effect, the law being in these cases that if a Canadian vessel is wrecked in American waters, and the wreck is subsequently sold, and repairs made to the value of three times the purchase money, then the Secretary of the Treasury will allow her to receive an American register. If a Canadian vessel is wrecked in Canadian waters and repaired in an American port, and afterwards sold, then, in order to constitute her an American bottom an Act of Congress is necessary. Again, if an American vessel be sold to Canadian parties, and afterwards wrecked, and subsequently repaired in an American port and sold, although originally an American bottom, an Act of Congress is necessary before she can register. In this case no difficulty is anticipated in getting the Act.

p.3 Examination of Masters and Mates - The Mail says that so far this year about fifty applications for certificates have been made by seamen who have been either masters or mates previous to January 1st, 1881. Only a few have been received from those who wish to go up for examination. The examiners have noticed the very great difficulty many of them have in distinguishing colors. One of the oldest Captains on the lakes could not tell black from red and another could not select white from among the other colors.

Here & There - boiler for new boat, in which Folgers are interested, is being built at Kingsfords' Works, Oswego.