Sea Gull (Brig), C...., 29 Sep 1867

A Marine Novelty - We find the following in the Milwaukee News of Friday: "We noticed in our harbor, yesterday, the brig SEA GULL, Capt. Jackman, from Toronto, with a cargo of pig iron and salt, consigned to E.G. Clarkson, of this city. Though only 230 tons burthen, this little brig has quite an interesting history. About two years ago, Capt. Jackman took on a cargo of lumber, and made the trip from Montreal to Port Natal, South Africa, some 900 miles east of the Cape of Good Hope. Here he disposed of his cargo at the modest figure of 8 pence sterling per foot - a price that must seem peculiarly refreshing to our Manistee and Ludington friends hereabouts. Returning, he brought from the African coast not less than 37 passengers, and with a cargo of molasses sugar, wool, ivory, red pepper, oil root, etc., arrived safely at Boston, after a trip of about 13 months. We had the pleasure of an interview with Capt. J. and found him to be a very agreeable and intelligent gentleman - just such a man as might be expected to conduct to a successful issue such a venture as we have named." Detroit Free Press
      September 29, 1867 (Sunday)

Note: SEAGULL's interesting career did not end there. She was sold to Americans in 1869 (US#23526) and plied in relative peace until being heavily damaged in a stranding at Sand Beach, Michigan, in 1888. She was rebuilt to a small propeller after that, but caught fire at the lumber dock at Tawas City, Michigan, July 5, 1890. The resulting conflagration destroyed the ship, the dock, and much of Tawas City's lumber mills and yards. SEAGULL had been built at Oakville, Ontario in 1864 by J. Simpson, as a two-mast schooner. [D. Swayze note]