Thomas H. Smith (Propeller), U145284, 21 Jan 1892

The Leatham & Smith Towing and Wrecking Company, of Sturgeon Bay, mentioned in the Marine Review last week, will utilize the steamer THOMAS H. SMITH for wrecking purposes. Her engine is to be placed amidship and other necessary changes made. The SMITH measures 200 net tons and possess good power. Her draught is also suitable for the business.
      The Marine Review
      January 21, 1892

      . . . . .

      A NEW COMPOUND ENGINE
Leatham & Smith, of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., have an engine in one of their barges - the THOMAS H. SMITH - that is attracting a great deal of attention among engineers on the lakes. It is a steeple compound, but differs from other engines of this type in the position of the cylinders. Instead of having the high pressure cylinder on top as usual, it has the low pressure cylinder on top. This gives more space in the engine room and makes the valve arrangement better, and it is claimed that it does away with all of the disadvantages formerly attached to a steeple compound and retains all of the good points. By this means the engineer is able to get at both the pistons very easily for examination or repairs, as the high pressure cylinder can be drawn up through the low pressure cylinder, together with the two cylinder covers, without disturbing either cylinder.
The Manistee Iron Works, of Manistee, Mich., were the builders of this engine, and were the first to introduce this novel feature. When the work was completed the boat made her trial trip from Manistee to Sturgeon Bay, a distance of sixty-seven miles, on four cords of slabs, carrying eighty pounds of steam, and the engine worked perfectly from the start and has never caused a minute's trouble. The cylinders are 19 and 36 by 30 stroke, and with eighty pounds steam she will turn up ninety-six revolutions, cutting off at twelve inches, or 106 revolutions full stroke.
The boat made one trip from Sturgeon Bay to Chicago and return on fifty cords of edgings, costing $50, while with her former high pressure engine she burned for the same trip forty tons of coal, costing $120 or more.
The owners of the vessel will have the engine of another of their propellers compounded in the same manner.
      Detroit Free Press
      July 18, 1890


Steam screw THOMAS H. SMITH. U. S. No. 145284. Of 281.11 tons gross; 198.10 tons net. Built Manitowoc, Wis., 1881. Home port, Milwaukee, Wis. 130.0 x 27.0 x 11.0
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1891