Ontonagon (Propeller), U18963, burnt, 1 Sep 1883

The steam barge ONTONAGON burned to the water's edge Sunday night at 9:30. She is beached abreast of Star Island House on the Canadian side. Her bow is in 2 feet of water and her stern in about 10 feet. She was owned by Henry Turner of E. Saginaw.
      Port Huron Daily Times
      Monday, September 24, 1883



The old propeller ONTONAGON, latterly a steambarge, took fire on the St. Clair River on Monday moring, while upward bound with three barges in tow, when opposite the Star Island House. She was put ashore and scuttled on the Canada side, but will prove a total loss. She was built at Buffalo by Bidwell & Banta in 1856, but rebuilt in 1867. She was owned by W.S. McLean, of East Saginaw, was 685 tons burden and uninsured. Her valuatiuon was $8,000. - Detroit Report
      Marine Record
      Sept. 27, 1883


      The steambarge ONTONAGON was destroyed by fire at the Southeast bend Sunday night. The fire was first discovered near the smoke stack, and spread so quickly that the crew could do nothing to check the flames. She was grounded near Star Island House, where she burned until there is nothing left of her. She was insured with a fire risk of $8,000. She had no cargo, and was bound for Bay City with three barges in tow. Port Huron Report
      Marine Record
      Sept. 27, 1883


ONTONAGON of 682 Tons and 27 years of age. Valued at $9,000, she became a total loss on the St. Clair River during 1883.
      Lost Tonnage on the Lakes in 1883
      Marine Record, December 27, 1883


ONTONAGON Steam barge, burned September 24, 1883. App. value $25,000 app.loss $25,000.
      Casualty List for 1883
      Toronto Globe, Dec. 4, 1883



Steam screw ONTONAGON.* U. S. No. 18963. Of 377.71 tons gross. Built Buffalo, N.Y., 1856. Home port, East Saginaw, Mich.
      * denotes vessel Lost, Wrecked or otherwise out of service.
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1884



Steam screw ONTONAGON. U. S. No. 18915. Of 682 Tons gross. Built Buffalo, N.Y., 1856, by Bidwell, Banta and Co. 75.7 x 30.0 x 10.2. Renumbered as U 18963. Burned entrance to St. Clair River Sept. 23, 1883
      Herman Runge List
     
     
NOTE:- The Herman Runge list gives her original number as 18915, but I could find nothing to substantiate that, and believe it to be an error.