J. T. Hutchinson (Propeller), U77457, aground, 29 Nov 1903

Duluth, Minn., Dec. 1. -- The propeller J. T. HUTCHINSON is piled up on Keweenaw Point, five miles west of Eagle River.
      The vessel was bound down from Duluth to Buffalo with 187,000 bushels of flaxseed, worth 190,000. In the heavy snowstorm she missed the entrance to the Portage Lake Canal and went on the rocks at 10 o'clock Sunday night. She rested on a shelf of rock amidships, with 30 feet clear at each end. The pumps had no effect on the water that poured in through the gaping holes.
      No one was lost. The captain J. H. Smith, a Buffalo man, has telegraphed that the sea has gone down, but that steam pumps are needed. Wreckers have started for the boat. The cargo will probably be a total loss.
      Cleveland, O., Dec. 1. -- Hutchinson & Co., the owners of the steamer aground at Keweenaw Point, have abandoned her to the underwriters. The vessel is insured for $210,000 in 17 different companies. Since coming out in 1901 the vessel has been a great money maker. But for the accident she would have delivered 32 cargoes this season.
      The HUTCHINSON was a steel ore or grain carrier of 3734 tons burden. She was built in 1901 and was considered one of the best boats on the lakes. The boat was owned by the Pioneer Steamship Company of Cleveland and was insured with Smith, Davis & Co., of this city. The cargo, shipped at Duluth for Buffalo, consisted of 187,000 bushels of flaxseed, which was insured for $190,000. The vessel was insured for $210,000, making the total loss $400,000.
      The underwriters are in hopes of saving part of the cargo and possibly taking the boat off the rocks. Two wrecking outfits left Sheboygan immediately on receipt of the news of the wreck and are now near the disabled steamer.
      Buffalo Evening News
      Tuesday, December 1, 1903
     
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      Houghton, Dec. 5 - Through a favorable turn in the weather and non-arrival of a severe storm, expected today, the wreckers working on the prop. HUTCHINSON were permitted to work uninterrupted for several hours today and freed the big vessel. The steamer, which ran on Keweenaw Point a week ago tonight, lies in the shelter of Lily Pond. The further plans of the wreckers are unknown. It is believed the boat may spend the winter near where she is and go to dry-dock at Superior early next season.
      Buffalo Morning Express
      December 6, 1903

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      The propeller HUTCHINSON, lately stranded on the Keweenaw Point, left the Portage Canal yesterday afternoon in company with the wrecking tugs FAVORITE and MERRICK on her way to Buffalo. The fleet stopped at Marquette for fuel.
      Buffalo Evening News
      Thursday, December 10, 1903
     
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      A report from Cleveland says an important shift has been made in the case of the steamer J. T. HUTCHINSON. Yesterday the owners withdrew the abandonment which was made when the steamer was wrecked. Though the underwriters took charge of the boat and got her to Buffalo at a cost of about $30,000 they never accepted the abandonment. The owners probably will have the vessel repaired at Buffalo and turn the repair bill over to the underwriters.
      Buffalo Evening News
      Thursday, February 18, 1904

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A gang of 400 men has been placed at work on the disabled steamer HUTCHINSON in the buffalo Dry-dock Company's yard. About 90 plates, each 28 feet long, will have to be removed and the job will be one of the largest repair jobs done on the Great lakes, costing nearly $90,000
      Buffalo Evening News
      Friday, March 18, 1904
     

The propeller J. T. HUTCHINSON, wrecked last fall in Lake Superior, was floated out of the Buffalo Dry-dock yesterday, her exterior work being finished. It is said she will be ready for a trip of the lakes within a week.
      Buffalo Evening News
      Tuesday, April 19, 1904


      Steam screw J.T. HUTCHINSON. U. S. No. 77457. Of 3,734 tons gross; 2,780 tons net. Built Cleveland, Ohio, 1901. Home port, Cleveland, Ohio 346.0 x 48.0 x 28.0 Passenger service. Crew of 21. Of 1,300 indicated horsepower.
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1904