Meteor (Propeller), U17570, burnt, 11 Aug 1865

Detroit, August 12.---The Propeller METEOR took fire Friday morning while in St. Mary's ship canal basin, and was scuttled and sunk in twelve feet of water. No lives lost. The passengers lost all their effects. No further particulars. The METEOR is the same boat that collided with the PEWABIC. Both were owned by J.T. Whiting & Co. of Detroit.
      Cleveland Plain Dealer
      August 12, 1865

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      LAKE DISASTERS. - The sinking of the propeller PEWABIC by the METEOR on Wednesday morning was followed by the burning of the latter on Friday morning, as will be seen by our telegraphic dispatches. The METEOR accidently took fire while in St. Mary River, and was entirely destroyed. But being near the shore, the lives of all on board were fortunately saved. A terrible fatality seems to have overhung these vessels--both of which belonged to the same parties -- J.T. Whiting & Co., of Detroit. The first calamity was not an accident, and should not be termed such. It was an atrocious crime, and somebody should hang -- hang as high as the bodies of their poor victims sank into a watery grave. The fact are so palpably corroborative of this view, that no sane man will dispute it. Two steamers approach each other at full speed, and each is seen by the other when miles away. They had miles of room, and they deliberately ran together, causing a fearful destruction of life and great loss of property. Call this an accident -- it was either a deliberate murder or a recklessness so criminal that those committing it have no claim to mercy. Let the companies owning either vessels or cars to which such "accidents" occur, pay the full pecuniary penalty and let the captains or conductors who are directly responsible, pay with their worse than useless lives the penalty of murdering scores of their fellow beings A few such judgements, and the "accidents" now so frequent would become remarkably fewer and far between.
      Erie Daily Dispatch
      Monday, August 14, 1865
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      THE METEOR. - The METEOR arrived at Detroit on Tuesday night. She was raised by letting the water all out of the canal except about four feet, after which holes were bored in her sides, and the water let out. Her damages are but slight, and she will soon be in running order. Sad havoc was made with her freight by the water. Even pork and butter, in packages of the best description were damaged. Mr. Atwood, the clerk, remained at the Sault to look after the freight. Her passengers went forward on the NORTHERN LIGHT and ONTONAGON.
      Cleveland Plain Dealer
      August 17, 1865

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      The steamer METEOR which sunk the PEWABIC and afterwards took fire and burned, caused by the slaking of lime by a leak, has been raised and towed to Detroit. Her cargo is nearly ruined by fire and water.
      Erie Daily Dispatch
      Saturday, August 19, 1865

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