C. P. Williams (Schooner), U4364, aground, 1 May 1871

WILLIAMS, C.P. Schooner, ashore in Georgian Bay; lost lumber; lightered.
      Marine Disasters of the Western
      Lakes 1871, Capt. J.W. Hall.

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WILLIAMS, C.P. Schooner of 292 tons, owned in Buffalo by P. Carroll. Bound from Cleveland to Collingwood, went ashore in Georgian Bay, May 1871. Loss to ship $1,000 Loss to cargo $700. Insurance on ship $600 Insurance on cargo, none.
      Marine Casualties of the Great Lakes
      1863-1873, U. S. Coast Guard Report

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      The schr. C.P. WILLIAMS, known formerly as the brig of that name, is ashore at some point in Georgian Bay, the report as yet not fixing the exact locality, and being somewhat vague and indefinite. The point of disaster is a remote one, however, as the captain has been several days in communicating with this port for a tug. The tug GEN. GRANT has been chartered for her relief, and has left with the requisite appliances for getting her afloat. The fog had much to do with the above difficulty. The WILLIAMS is owned by V. Swain of Cleveland.
      Buffalo Morning Express
      June 7, 1871 3-4

      . . . . .

      In the Cleveland Herald we find the following maritime decision by judge Emmons of the U.S. Circuit Court:
      Yesterday, in U.S. Circuit Court, Judge Emmons delivered a very important opinion in the case of John Demass vs. the brig C.P. WILLIAMS, which is of espacial interest to tug owners. Demass is the owner of the tug GEN. GRANT, and late last season that tug was chartered by the owners of the brig to proceed to Lake Huron, where the WILLIAMS was aground and was instructed to pull her off and take her into port.
      After a voyage of over 5 days, for which time Mr. Demass claimed the pay agreed upon when she was chartered, would amount ot over $1,000, the GRANT arrived at the place where the vessel was reported to be, but found that her services were not needed, as the vessel had got afloat herself. The claim of $1,000 being disputed Mr. Demass brought suit against the brig, which was seized.
      When the case was heard in the District Court Judge Longyear held the proceedings, against the vessel could not be sustained, no lien upon her having attached. An appeal having been taken to the Circuit Court, Judge Emmons on Friday reversed the decision of the District Judge, and ordered a decree to be entered in favor of the libelant for the full amount claimed. He claimed that the time charged for was consumed whether the tug actualy hauled the vessel off or not, and the lien exsisted irrespective of the question whether the tug was actually attached to the vessel or not.
      The opinion was certainly one of great ability and is considered by the bar as forming one of the "leading cases" of the U.S. Circuit Court.
      Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
      March 28, 1873 34


NOTE:- Capt. J.W. Halls Casualty List gives the name C.R. WILLIAMS this is a mistake as also is the U. S. Coast Guard account "bound from Cleveland to Collingwood", the lumber was going from Collingwood to Cleveland.