Joseph S. Spinney (Propeller), U75541, 1 May 1873

The new Tug JOSEPH S. SPINNEY. - A new tug, built in Buffalo for Mr. W.H. Herrick o this city, and named the JOSEPH S. SPINNEY, after a citizen of New York, made her appearance in our harbor Saturday, and since then has
attracted much attention from tugmen. She is built of the best material, strong and substantial, and finished with an eye to beauty and comfort.
      The following are her dimensions: Length, 50 ft.; beam, 13 ft.; depth, 6 ft. Her cylinder is 14x16 inches, and she is propelled by a wheel 5 feet 3 inches in diameter. She cost, ready for business, $6,800. Captain A.B. Tiffany, one of the best tugmen on the lakes, and a worker, commands the new boat, with Michael Glynn, a steady, industrious young man who has climbed his way from the fire hole, as engineer.
      The SPINNEY is intended for canal towing, but can and will ply in and about this port. She is speedy, and with 100 pounds of steam, can show her heel to any harbor tug now plying at this port.
We learn from the Captain that Mr. Spinney is so well pleased with his namesake, that he is having made for her, in New York, an elegant set of colors. She will float them gracefully, and see that they do not trail to any boat in this section.
      Oswego Daily Palladium
      Wed., May 28, 1873















      Along the Docks
The tug CRUSADER, on the dock at Goble & Macfarlane's, is receiving a thorough overhauling. She has received a new keel, stanchions, covering board, rail and stringer, and been raised forward about fifteen inches. her repairs will be completed this week, and Captain Manwarring thinks she will trouble the fast boats. the new four bucket wheel, cast by John King & Co., is a model of symmetry and ought to send the "Cruiser" through the water rapidly.
      One of the oldest vessels on the inland seas is the schooner Governor, Capt. Alf Fitzgeralds. She was built at Kingston in the year 1846, and since that time has been in commission. she has never been rebuilt, and today has
the same decks and top sides she came out with. her floor timbers are sound, and her plan, below the water mark, are as well preserved as any vessel afloat. Like Mark Twain's captain, her bilge water becomes impure
occasionally and has to be sweetened.
      Oswego Daily Palladium
      Mon., Aug. 1, 1873


Oswego Daily Palladium, Tues., Aug. 26, 1873

Obituary.
Another veteran seaman, Captain John McIntyre, died at his residence in
this city last night, after a short but painful illness. Captain McIntyre
was one of the oldest seamen sailing from this port, having commanded a
vessel for over thirty years, and during that period he was noted as being
one of the most careful and capable of men, never to our knowledge having
met with disaster.
The first vessel he commanded was the schooner Potomac, owned by
Fitzhugh & Littlejohn, and the last, the schooner Granada. The captain had
been in ill health, heart disease, for a year past, but like many seamen he
thought he could weather it, until four weeks since when he was compelled to
take to his bed when on Lake Huron.
He grew gradually worse until he reached this port, on the return
voyage, and then was taken to his home to die. No man on the lakes bore a
better reputation than did John McIntyre. In his dealings with men he was
honest and straightforward, and in his long life on the lakes no man can say
that he wronged him. The funeral will take place tomorrow morning at 10
o'clock from his late residence, corner of East Fifth and Oneida streets.



Oswego Daily Palladium, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1873

A Marine Story.
We are credibly informed by a gentleman whose veracity has never been
brought in question, that an accident happened to the schooner Rockaway on
her last passage up through the Welland Canal, such as never happened to any
other schooner.
In passing up the level between Allanburg and Port Colborne, the
Rockaway struck a sunken spile, which had been pulled out of the canal bank,
with such force as to drive it through her starboard bow and thence up
through the deck.
The timber entered the hull of the schooner below water mark, and as she
was making water freely, her cargo of ore was shifted aft, thus bringing the
hole above water. Not wishing to be delayed, the captain of the vessel sawed
the timber off close to the hull, both on the bow and on deck, and putting
canvas patches, covered with tar, over the breaks, proceeded on his voyage.
The vessel went to Erie, discharged, and loaded with coal for this port and
is now on her way down with the spile still in her. The owners of the vessel
will look to the canal authorities to pay the damages.

Oswego Daily Palladium, Wed., Oct. 8, 1873

Death of an old Lake Captain.
We learn by letter that Captain George Eason died at a point fifty miles
up the Pamunkey river, in Virginia, September 28th. It is understood that he
was at the time engaged in the oyster business. Captain Eason was at one
time one of the best known sailors on the lakes, having for many years
commanded vessels out of this port.
He was for many years in the "black Ball" line of Penfield, Lyon & Co.,
and was known as a careful man and a competent seaman. During the past six
or eight years he was engaged in wrecking, and for some time was in the
employ of the New York Coast Wrecking Company. he was known as a quiet,
unassuming man, with many kind traits and a warm heart. He leaves a sister
who resides in this city, in the homestead, on East Ninth street, between
Mitchell and VanBuren streets.


Oswego Daily Palladium, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 1873

Along the Docks.
The harbor presented a lively appearance yesterday, a large fleet of
barley and lumber vessels being in port. The sight of over 330,000 bushels
of grain in port warmed the cockles of the shovelers' hearts.
River thieves were "on the lay," Sunday night, and made something of a
haul. The schooners Carlton and Troy, lying at Monen & Co's lumber dock,
were boarded about midnight and the forecastles of both vessels robbed. One
seaman on the Carlton lost $15 in American currency, and a pound note of the
Bank of Scotland, and all of his clothing, while the other seamen lost the
greater portion of their clothing.
Nearly all of the 'dunnage" belonging to the seamen in the forecastle of
the Troy, was taken by the thieves. The crews of both vessels were aboard at
the time, but the thieves worked noiselessly and escaped with their plunder.
The piece we published relative to the schooner Rockaway having a spile
driven in her hull, in passing through the Welland Canal, was looked upon by
many of our exchanges as a fish story, and as such ways taken with many
grains of allowance. The Rockaway arrived in this port Sunday morning and
during the day and yesterday was visited by hundreds who came away fully
satisfied that the Pall., like the illustrious G.W., cannot tell a lie. -
The spile which entered the hull of the Rockaway is of oak, about
fifteen feet long and about ten inches in diameter. The stick entered the
hull of the bow and the sharp end ran up through the deck at least four
feet. The ends were sawed off and patches of canvas and tar were placed over
the breaks and the vessel went on. The stick is still in her hull and may be
seen by all who have the curiosity.

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