James Davidson (Propeller), U75786, aground, 5 Oct 1883

THE DAVIDSON DOWN.
      Another Serious Disaster.
      Private dispatches received by the underwriters in Chicago yesterday announce the steamship JAMES DAVIDSON ashore and full of water in Thunder Bay. She is coal laden for Duluth. A tug and pump have been sent to her from Detroit. The DAVIDSON measures 1,456 tons. She was built at Bay City by James Davidson in 1874, rates A 1½ , and is valued at $60,000. She is insured as follows in Smith & Davis, agency:
      Boston Marine - - - - - - -$15,000
      Western - - - - - - - - - - - $10,000
      Fireman's Trust - - - - - - $3,000
      Balance in the Aetna and "Big 4."
      Mechanics and Traders - $5,000
      The total incurance on the hull is $45,000.
      The cargo is in the "Big 4."
      Robert Jenks, of St. Clair, is the owner of the DAVIDSON.
      J.W. Hall Great lakes Marine Scrapbook, Sept./Oct., 1883
     

      DISASTERS.
      The DAVIDSON in Trouble.
Alpena, Mich., Oct. 5. -- The steamer DAVIDSON, coal laden, is ashore on Thunder bay Island and full of water. She is in bad shape. The wind is blowing hard from the southeast. She will go to pieces if not released soon. The tug WINSLOW is expected in the morning with pumps and a diver.
      J.W. Hall Great lakes Marine Scrapbook, Sept./Oct., 1883
     
     
     
The steamship JAMES DAVIDSON, with her consort, got ashore a day or two since at Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron, while upward bound with coal for Duluth. At first no trouble was anticipated in getting her afloat, but adverse weather having set in has rendered her situation extremely procarious and her recovery a matter of grave doubt. As it is she has been abandoned to the Underwriters and Captain George McLeod, inspector, has gone with a tug to visit the wreck. Meanwhile her consort has been got afloat, but the DAVIDSON has broken in two, and will make a total loss, save her machinery and outfit. Her captain avers that it was foggy at the time of going ashore, while on the other hand the captain of the CITY OF MACKINAW states quite to the contrary. The DAVIDSON is insured for $45,000. Her valuation is about $80,000. She has three masts, two decks, Bishop arches and was launched in 1874. As to the insurance on the cargo I am not at present definately advised. The wrecking tug WINSLOW is at the scene of operations. She is owned by R.Jenks and others, of St.Clair, Mich. - Detroit Report
      Marine Record
      Oct. 11, 1883


      Wreck of the steamship DAVIDSON is the most extensive loss from a financial standpoint that has occurred on the lakes this season. She was valued at $85,000 and insured for $45,000 and her coal cargo estimated at $8,000.
      Port Huron Daily Times
      Friday, October 12, 1883.


Proposals for the hull, engine, and boilers of the propeller JAMES DAVIDSON, as they now lie on Thunder Bay Island reef, Lake Huron; also seperate proposals for her outfit, rescued and stored at Alpena, Mich:, consisting of anchors, chains, entire coil of new nine-inch hawser, windlasses, pumps, running rigging, new this season, sails, a year and a half old, compasses and other articles, will be received up to November 20, by T.H. White, at 92 La Salle Street, Chicago. -- Buffalo Report.
      Marine Record
      Nov. 8, 1883


JAMES DAVIDSON of 1,456 Tons and 9 years old. Valued at $60,000. Became a total loss on Lake Huron during 1883
      Lost Tonnage on the Lakes in 1883
      Marine Record, December 27, 1883


JAMES DAVIDSON Propeller, ashore October 5, 1883. App.value $75,000 app.loss $75,000.
      Casualty List for 1883
      Toronto Globe, Dec. 4, 1883


Steam screw JAMES DAVIDSON. U. S. No. 75786. Of 1456.11 tons gross; 1202.40 tons net. Built Salzburg, Mich., 1874. Home port, St. Clair, Mich.
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1884