Annie Watt (Propeller), sunk by collision, 13 Aug 1890

COLLISION AT LION'S HEAD.
      Owen Sound, Aug. 14 - While on her down trip from Providence Bay to Owen Sound the steamer ALDERSON collided with and sunk the tug ANNIE WATT. Capt. Dunn, of the steamer ALDERSON makes the following statement: "We left Lion's Head at 11:10 P.M. Wednesday for Owen Sound. Soon after turning Lion's Head Point I sighted a light dead ahead. I ordered the ship to be steered for it, and kept on till we could see her signal lights. Then I ordered the wheel aport to keep our own side. I ran on keeping well to starboard of the light, and when within three or four hundred yards off, the tug blew two whistles, meaning they would pass me on the starboard side. I immediately replied with one whistle, meaning I would pass them on the port side, it being impossible for me to pass on the starboard side. I kept swinging to clear the tug, and when but a short distance from me, the tug again blew two blasts. I answered again with one blast, but the tug kept trying to cross our bows. I saw she could not do it and immediately ordered the engines to be reversed, but too late. The tug crashed into us striking us fair in the bow with her starboard quarter. I immediately
lowered our boats and found that we had sustained no injuries. Then I went to rescue the crew of the tug which in the meantime had gone down. The crew managed to get aboard a scow which they had in tow. I got them safely aboard the ALDERSON and put back and landed them at Lion's Head. At the time of the accident the ANNIE WATT had two scows in tow. She only displayed one headlight and two side lights instead of two headlights, which the law calls for when a tug is towing anything. The WATT lies in 100 feet of water. No insurance.
      Capt. Richard Chapman and Mr. Elijah Rupley arrived in town on Tuesday. The captain holds he took the proper and legal course when his vessel neared the ALDERSON on that fatal night that sent his vessel - the ANNIE WATT - to the bottom where she now lies 270 feet down. There were in all 20 persons on the tug who were engaged in the lumber business. All were saved by getting on board the two scows the ANNIE WATT had in tow.
      Meaford Monitor
      Friday, August 22, 1890