Guiding Star (Barge), 21 Mar 1871

      Clark's Dry Dock. - At Clark's dry dock and ship-yard a very large amount of work has been done during the winter and spring, and the greatest activity now prevails the various vessels ready for service. Since last fall the large bark MARIA MARTIN, which was wrecked in the Straits, was largely repaired in her hull, about $8,000 being expended on her.
      The propeller GUIDING STAR, which was made a complete wreck by her explosion last summer, has been made into a very substantial barge for the iron ore trade. Many of her timbers were shattered and broken, but the hull was sound and good. She will have two masts, with wire rigging. The repairs to her will cost about $9,000. She will be towed by the steam barge PRINDIVILLE.
      The schooner MARQUETTE, which was wrecked in the Straits and recovered last fall, has been sold by the Northwest Wrecking Company to Charles Burton, for $12,000, as she is, without rigging, after about $4,000 has been expended on her. She will come out stronger than ever, and will still be a schooner, instead of a barge, as previously stated.
      The steam barge HURON CITY has received general repairs, including new arches, caulking all over, and other needful overhauling, at a cost of about $3,000.
      The schooner PLOVER has had about $5,000 expended on her in giving her a thorough rebuild. The bark Alice has had general repairs and new decks, costing $1,500, and the brig LUCY J. CLARK has had repairs, caulking and new decks, at an expense of $1,000.
      The steam barge R. PRINDIVILLE is now in dock having her sides strengthened, her rails raised, and being planked to the rail, inside and out, all of which is preparatory to going into the iron ore trade. The work will cost about $2,000.
      The steamer J. B. SMITH is having about $1,000 expended on her, and will probably be put upon the route from some point on this side of the river to the Sandwich Sulphur springs.
      Mention has been made heretofore of the repairs to the propeller METEOR. She has had her arches very materially strengthened, new decks, and some of her bottom planks replaced, besides boiler repairs and a thorough recaulking, so that she will come out in first rate condition. Her repairs, which are nearly completed, will cost from $8,000 to $10,000.
      The schooner MIAMI BELLE is entirely rebuilt, and the barge G. D. RUSSELL strengthened by having reverse arches put in her hold. It will cost about $3,000 to fix her up. It is reported that the RUSSELL will go into the iron ore trade. Repairs will be made on the propeller IRON CITY to whatever extent will be deemed necessary, including new arches and a general strengthening. The propeller CITY OF FREMONT is about completing her repairs, which are mostly to the stern and wheel.
      Detroit Free Press
      March 21, 1871