R. G. Stewart (Propeller), U110341, aground/fire, 4 Jun 1899

Bayfield, Wis., June 5 - The passenger stmr. R.G. STEWART, from Hancock to Duluth, ran ashore on Michigan Island, one of the Apostle group, at midnight Saturday night. At 10:00 Sunday morning she was burned to the waters edge. On of the crew was drowned in escaping from the burning boat. The rest, with the three passengers were saved.
The dead, George McKenna, wheelsman, of Detroit, Mich. The rescued, passengers: S.O. Lee, Fergus Falls, Minn.: Mr. Lee's son; Michael Close, St. Paul, Minn. The rescued crew: C.O. Flynn, master and owner of the steamer; George Shortail, Stillwater, Wis.; Frank Hantz, Duluth, Minn.; William Murphy, Duluth; Hall Holt, Duluth; Andy O'Brien, Duluth; R.A. Parker, Ontonagon, Mich. The life boat was launched when the fire broke out, and all had entered it except McKenna. He jumped into the little boat from the steamers deck and capsized it. All of the rest managed to get hold of the life lines, but McKenna was drowned.
The life boat drifted ashore soon afterwards. McKenna's body was recovered, and when the shipwreck people were taken off today, his body was brought ashore for burial. All those that escaped saved nothing but the clothes they wore.
The E.G. STEWART is a small steamer and is regularly run in the coasting trade along the south shore of Lake Superior, sailing from Duluth. She left Hancock Saturday, but had not proceeded very far when a dense fog was encountered. In entering Chequamagon Bay to go to Ashland, the steamer got far out of her course, and ran ashore on Michigan Island, bringing up a mile east of the lighthouse there. All efforts of the steamer to release herself were unavailing, and there was nothing to do but wait for a tug to come out from Ashland. On Sunday morning about 10:00 fire was discovered in the boiler room.
      Detroit Free Press
      June 6, 1899 2-6


The passenger steamer R.G. STEWART, enroute from Hancock to Duluth, ran ashore on Michigan island, one of the Apostle group. at midnight, Saturday. At 10 o'clock Sunday morning she burned to the water's edge. The steamer, which is a total loss, was owned by Capt. C.O. Flynn of Duluth and insured through Duluth agencies for $6,000.
      Marine Review
      June 8, 1899
     

Marquette, June 9. -- The steamer CITY OF MARQUETTE has been chartered to replace the steamer STEWART which burned last Sunday on one of the Apostle Islands. She will leave here about June 15 on her new route.
      Chicago Inter Ocean
      Saturday, June 10, 1899
     
     
      Steamer R.G. STEWART burned at the Apostle Islands June 4, 1899. Owned by C.O. Flynn, of Duluth. Value of vessel $300. Approx. value of loss, $ 7,000.
      Casualty List for 1899 [total loss]
      Marine Review
      December 21, 1899
     

Steam screw R.G. STEWART. U. S. No. 110341. Of 197 gross tons; 169 tons net. Built Buffalo, N.Y., 1878. Home port, Duluth, Minn. 100.0 x 23.0 x 8.2 Of 108 nominal horsepower.
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1898