Charles H. Burton (Barge), U125402, aground, 11 Oct 1905

The barge CHARLES H. BURTON in command of Capt. Thomas McDermott, went aground yesterday at Barcelona in Lake Erie, and it was with difficulty that the crew of eight men were rescued. The BURTON left Buffalo with 950 tons of coal for Toledo, in tow of the big river tug CASTLE. Although the weather was quite rough, the boats made good progress, until they reached a point off Barcelona, which is the port of entry for Westfield, and only a mile distant from that town.
At this point the tow line parted and the barge drifted helplessly, the wind driving her towards the shore. The tug was unable to get a line to her on account of the heavy seas, and it became evident to Capt. McDermott that his vessel would either founder or strand, so he displayed distress signals, which were seen by people on shore, who put off in yawls for the barge. The barge kept afloat and finally grounded on the beach, in about 12 feet of water. The crew were taken off in small boats, the rescueing party being composed of Earl Richardson, John Ketschow, H.A. Monroe and Ed. Cranson.
      The BURTON is an old lake barge of 514 gross tons and is owned and sailed by Capt. McDermott. She was built in 1867 and rebuilt in 1873. She now hails from Tonawands. Tugs have gone to her assistance and if she is not too hard on the botton, her cargo will be lightered and she will be pulled off.
      Buffalo Evening News
      October 12, 1905

      . . . . .

      HEAVY SEAS BREAK UP BARGE BURTON.
The barge BURTON, which stranded ob Lake Erie, near Barcelona, is now a complete wreck. Messrs. Worthington & Sill carried $5,000 on her cargo of coal and her hull was uninsured. The barge was valued at $5,500. Mr. Sill stated early this morning, that she would hardly last through today, the heavy seas pounding her continually, and he also stated that the weather was so rough, that he had been unable to get a crew to her. Nothing now remains of her above water but a small portion of her stern.
      Buffalo Evening News
      October 14, 1905

      . . . . .

Schooner CHARLES H. BURTON. U. S. No. 125402. Of 514.91 gross tons; 489.17 tons net. Built Bangor, Mich., 1873. Home port, Buffalo, N.Y. 158.0 x 30.0 x 13.2.
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1885