Viking (Propeller), U161612, sunk, 24 Mar 1892

HOW THE "VIKING" SUNK
Concerning the sinking of the steamer VIKING, the Chicago Inter Ocean says: "The steel steamer VIKING was wrecked early yesterday morning in the Ogden Canal off Goose Island, and her cargo of 40,000 bushels of rye was prematurely wet by the worse specimen of water ever mixed with rye.
      The VIKING had gone to the Armour Elevator and had taken out several thousand bushels of grain, when it was suddenly found that she was sinking. Two steam pumps of the Dunham Line were despatched to the wreck, but in spite of all they could do the water filled the after compartments. The bow rose high out of the water as the stern sank to the bottom, water covering the decks. The wrecker finally stopped the inflow of water last night, and saved some of the cargo which was in the forward compartments.
      The tug men who towed the VIKING around the river, stated that she struck no obstruction which would have caused a leak. It is supposed that pipes may have frozen up and then thawed after the steamer had been loaded."
      The VIKING had no water bottom, but the steel shell of her hull is lined below the water with solid five-inch planking, so it is not probable the leak was punched by any obstacle she may have struck.
      Buffalo Enquirer
      March 25, 1892

      . . . . .

The steamer VIKING sunk at Chicago on Thursday with 55,000 bushels of rye.
      Port Huron daily Times
      Friday, March 25, 1892
     
     
Steam screw VIKING. U. S. No. 161612. Of 1,117.23 tons gross; 943,82 tons net. Built Buffalo, N.Y., 1890. Home port, Port Huron, Mich. 217.4 x 37.1 x 15.0 Steel built.
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1892