Douglass (Propeller), collision, 12 Jun 1892

Milwaukee, June 13. - The steamer DOUGLASS, of the McElory Transportation Line, ran into the lumber steamer A.E. WILDS of Chicago, about 11 o'clock last night, 15 miles off this port, damaging her hull so badly that she sank in 15 minutes after the collision. The crew of the WILDS were taken on board the DOUGLASS and landed here. The WILDS was owned by her commander, Capt. Wilds, and valued at $23,000. The DOUGLASS was only slightly damaged.
      Buffalo Enquirer
      Monday, June 13, 1892

      . . . . .
     
The steamer DOUGLAS and A.E. WILDS came together with a terrific crash 18 miles off Milwaukee in a dense fog Sunday night, and the WILDS went to the bottom in 3 minutes. Her crew were taken off by the DOUGLASS. The WILDS was bound from Chicago to Escanaba and the DOUGLASS from Milwaukee to Saugatuck. The WILDS was owned by A.E. Wilds and valued at $25,000.
      Port Huron Daily Times
      Tuesday, June 14, 1892

      . . . . .

Milwaukee, Oct. 18. -- As the result of an enquiry into the circumstances attending the collision between the steamers DOUGLAS and ALICE E. WILDS on the night of June 12, whereby the WILDS was sunk in deep water, 20 miles off Milwaukee, Local Inspector Fitzgerald and Chipman have revoked the master and first class pilot licenses of Capt. C. R. Coates and Barney Wilds. Testimony showed that Capt. Coates had abandoned his watch to an unlicensed look-out man 20 minutes previous to the collision and was in his room when the boats came together. Also that Capt. Wilds saw the mast light of the DOUGLAS 20 minutes before she struck, but could not see her side lights owing to the mist lying low on the water and yet neglected to sound his whistle as a warning of impending danger. In fact no whictle was sounded by either sreamer and both were running at full speed.
      Buffalo Enquirer
      Tuesday, October 18, 1892