Muskegon (Steamboat), U90466, broke machinery, 11 Jun 1893

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HER ENGINE WENT TO PIECES.
The MUSKEGON, With 30 Passengers Aboard, Disabled Off Evanston.
Chicago, June 12. - The side-wheel steamer MUSKEGON, of the Goodrich Trans- portation Line, which left the Goodrich dock at Rush street bridge at 7:45 o'clock last night, was disabled when 5 miles off Evanston by the breaking of the walking beam and the subsequent collapse of almost her entire machinery. There were 30 passengers on the steamer.
When the accident occurred of these had retired to their state-rooms. The severing of the walking-beam was accompanied by a terrific report, and the next instant the connecting machinery began to crash and fly in segments to all part of the engine-room. Scenes of the wildest confusion followed, in which the crew took part.
The MUSKEGON, with a crew of 40 men, was bound for Menominee and intervening points. The steamer was out about one hour and thirty minutes when the accident occurred. The shock and the derangement of the machinery swayed the steamer from side to side, as if she was being hammered by a battering ram.
The Engineer, however, soon stopped the engines, and after the clatter of the broken machinery had ceased, confidence was restored.
Four whistles, the signal of distress, were given at intervals of a minute. These were heard and answered by the life-saving crew of Evanston. The life-saving crew returned to Evanston and telephoned the Dunham Towing Company for tugs to bring the MUSKEGON back to Chicago.
At 10 o'clock, the tug A. MILLER was sent out, and two hours later the MOSHER followed. The tugs reached the steamer shortly after midnight and arrived at the Goodrich docks with the MUSKEGON in tow about daylight.
Buffalo Evening News
Monday, June 12, 1893 p.6, c.3
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Steam paddle MUSKEGON. U. S. No. 90466. Of 662.20 tons gross; 485.65 tons net. Built Manitowoc, Wis., 1871. Home port, Milwaukee, Wis. 193.7 x 29.0 x 12.0.
Merchant vessel List, U. S., 1896

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