Mechanic (Brig), U16399, 1 Jun 1876

OCEAN INSURANCE ON LAKE VESSELS AT SEA:-- The prejudice among the insurance companies against lake vessels on the ocean, especially centre- board schooners, has in a great measure been wiped out, and it is not anticipated that the owners of the various craft now about to make ocean voyages will experience any great trouble in obtaining insurance. Indeed, the insurance on many of them is already placed. Our lake vessels are built as well as, and better than those regularly employed on the Atlantic, and the underwriters are coming to see that the centre-board (a necessity on craft of medium dimensions) is no objection at all. The truth is that the centerboard is a great benefit. but for many years this fact could not be impressed on the minds of sailors and underwriters used and accustomed to the standing keel. It is a positive fact that (centerboard) craft which class B1 on the lakes are given the class of A 2 in Lloyds.
, Both the PAMLICO and BENSON secured better classing on the ocean than they could obtain here on the lakes. We understand that the THISTLE, now fitting in Chicago, the MECHANIC and EMERALD, the THOMAS S. STREET, EDWARD BLAKE, CAMBRIA, MAGGIE McRAE and A.. G. MOREY are already insured for their ocean voyages, and that the other craft going out from the lakes will obtain insurance without trouble. Those which cannot get insurance (if there be any) will go without it, indicating the confidence of the owners in their vessels. The one great necessity is to send good masters in charge, and we learn that this is to be done.- - - lnter-Ocean.
      Cleveland Herald
      June 13, 1876
     

FOR CORK:-- The brig MECHANIC, of Racine, loaded with lumber at Muskegon last week for Cork, Ireland. The MECHANIC will be in command of Captain M.J. Kelley, an old sailor of the brimy deep.
      Cleveland Herald
      June 14, 1876


The brig MECHANIC, Captain M.J. Kelley, which left this port for Europe, has been heard from"at sea" all well. She left Quebec on the 19th, instant, and will touch at Queenstown for orders. her destination from there is not known, but may possibly be Bristor, England. The last dispatch, written "at sea" was brought in by a pilot boat. --- Racine Advocate, 29.
      Cleveland Herald
      August 5, 1876
     

The schooner ENTERPRISE, which left the lakes last fall for an ocean voyage, is now running between Belfast, Ireland and Adrossin, Scotland, carrying coal. She is now a full rigged bark. The schooners CHALLENGE and MECHANIC are engaged in the coal trade between Drogheda and Cardiff, and getting as high as 8 shillings per ton freight. The freight from Glasgo to belfast, on coal, is 5 shillings per ton.
      Detroit Tribune
      Thursday, June 14, 1877
     

      Capt. Kelly, of Racine, a well known lake navigator, arrived at Chicago Thursday from England, where he went over two years ago in his vessel, the brig MECHANIC. At the time he was followed by another of his vessels, the schooner CHALLENGE, which he sold about the same time he disposed of the brig. For some time past Capt. Kelly has been engaged in running a steamer from England and France. Last evening he departed for Racine to see his wife, from whom he has been seperated since his departure.
      Detroit Free Press
      Saturday, August 10, 1878
     
     
NAME: MECHANIC
RIG: Brig (Pre-list; 1869); Bark (1870; 1871; 1872); Brig (1873; 1875; 1876; 1877; 1878; 1879)
OFFICIAL NO: 16399
SIGNAL LETTERS:
LOA:
BEAM:
DEPTH:
GROSS: 233.37 (Pre-list; 1869; 1870; 1871; 1872; 1873; 1875; 1876; 1877; 1878; 1879)
NET:
YEAR BUILT:
STATE:
CITY:
HOME PORT: Chicago, IL (Pre-list); Milwaukee, WI (1869); Racine, WI (1870; 1871; 1872; 1873; 1875;
1876; 1877; 1878; 1879)
YEARS LISTED: Pre-list; 1869; 1870; 1871; 1872; 1873; 1875; 1876; 1877; 1878; 1879.
NOTES:
      MVUS, Pre-list to 1885
     
     
Brigantine MECHANIC, of 233 tons. Built Detroit 1848 by John Dixon. Owned by Bliss & others. Home port, Racine. Value, 7,500. Class, B 1. REMARKS:-- Rebuilt in 1868.
      Association of Lake Underwriters
      1876 Classification
     
     
      SELLING LAKE VESSELS ABROAD.
      The several Rascine vessels now in foreign ports are all for sale. The brig MECHANIC, owned by Birch, Bruce & Bliss, is at Bristol, England. It is said that she has been sold, but the price is not named. The schooner CITY OF MANITOWOC, owned by Glass & Higgie, is in Leith, Scotland - a new vessel. The CHALLENGE is supposed to be in Queenstown. The ENTERPRISE owned by Messrs Powers, was recently at Belfast, Ireland. A report reached Milwaukee that she had been sold at Londonderry for $8,000. Captain Richar Powers, half-owner, says he has received no notice of such fact, his brother Captain John Powers, has power-of attorney to sell, and may have disposed of her. If he got the sum named it was, to say the least, all the ENTERPRISE was worth. - - - Chicago Inter-ocean
      Cleveland Herald
      September 30, 1876