St. Joseph Valley Register (St. Joseph, MI), Thurs., 3 Aug. 1871

The steamer J. Barber, plying between Chicago and St. Joseph, Mich., in the fruit trade, caught fire from the smoke-stack when twenty-five miles west of St. Joseph, Mich., on Wednesday night. Every body on board was in bed except a few of the crew. The vessel was in a few moments enveloped in smoke and flames, and a dreadful panic ensued. The united exertions of the passengers and crew kept her afloat for some time. About an hour before she went down, the steamer Corona, attracted by the flames, bore down upon her, picking up eighteen persons from pieces of floating timber. The steamer Van Roale [sic] also saved twelve persons. Two of the crew are still missing. The passengers had nothing on but their night clothes, losing every thing else. The steamer was valued at $21,000 - insured for $7,000.