W. L. Wetmore (Propeller), U80196, 21 Apr 1879

This (Sunday) afternoon the steam barge W.L. WETMORE, and her consort, the barge BRUNETTE, will leave Detroit for Cleveland, where they will probably load coal for Chicago. Since the WETMORE laid up she has received many alterations and repairs which entitle her to more than a passing notice. Her repairs can be summed up in a general overhauling, but her alterations cannot. Of the latter the most important part is a new upper deck, so that hereafter the boat may be classed as a double decker. The space between decks is six and a half feet. She has been kneed off and edge bolted, has a new texas containing the Captain's room and office, a new two and a half feet rail running forward and aft instead of life lines generally used, new main deck and a new fire pump. Besides she has been recaulked and freshly painted. Her boiler has been covered over with a combination jacket of sheet iron, galvanized-T and angles so bolted together as to be taken off in sections in order to get at it, and is entirely free from dangerous contact with any woodwork. This is the only boiler covering of the kind on the lakes, and was put on by the Detroit Metal and Plumbing Works. So thorough has been her repairs and overhauling that she has been raised from an A 2 vessel to A 1, thus placing her in the list of vessels of the highest standard. Her officers are as follows: Master, Geo. L. De Wolf, who has superintended her repairs; First Mate, F.C. Taft; Second Mate, P. Statkin; First Engineer, John M. Crawenwelth; Second Engineer, John Kennedy.
      The BRUNETTE has also been generally overhauled, and will be commanded by Capt. Spencer Hill.
      Detroit Post & Tribune
      Monday, April 21, 1879


Steam screw W.L. WETMORE. U. S. No. 80196 Of 1216 gross tons. Built Cleveland, Ohio, 1871 by Quayle & Martin. 213.7 x 33.4 x 12.6 Wrecked Rabbit Island, Georgian Bay November 29, 1901
      Herman Runge List