George W. Morley (Propeller), U85990, fire, 5 Dec 1897

STEAMER MORLEY BURNED
      Cleveland Vessel, Valued At $35,000, Destroyed By Fire.
      Chicago, Dec. 6. - The steamer GEORGE W. MORLEY of Cleveland, was burned to the water's edge on the beach at Evanston last night. Her crew of 13 men got ashore without difficulty. The MORLEY was bound from Milwaukee to Chicago without a cargo, and when off Evanston a lamp exploded in the engine room, scattering burning oil in all directions.
      Buffalo Evening News
      Monday, December 6, 1897 6 - 2

      . . . . .

The steamer GEO. W. MORLEY caught fire in lake Michigan Sunday evening and was beached at Evanston by her crew. She was bound from Milwaukee to Chicago to oad grain. The fire caught in the after end of the ship near the shaft alley. It blazed up too quickley for the engineer to put it out and before he could get the fire pump started the flames drove him on deck. The firemen were kept at their posts till the steamer struck the beach. It is believed the boat is a total loss.
      Port Huron daily Times
      Monday, december 6, 1897
     

      Steamer G.W. MORLEY burned December 5, 1897 at Chicago, of 1,400 tons and owned by Hawgood & Every, Chicago. Loss valued at $55,000.
      Vessel Losses on the Lakes, 1897
      Marine Review
      December 23, 1897

      . . . . .

      Steamer GEORGE W. MORLEY burnt at Evanston December 5, 1897 is to be sold September 1st., to the highest bidder.
      Marine Record
      August 18, 1898
      . . . . .

      Steamer GEORGE W. MORLEY has been raised.
      Marine Record
      August 24, 1899

      . . . . .

GEORGE W. MORLEY Built April 1888 Propeller -Wood
U. S. No. 85990 1045 gt -797 nt 192.9' x 34' x 21'
Burned off Evanston. Illinois. Lake Michigan. December 5. 1897.
      Frank Wheeler & Co., West Bay City Shipbuilding Master List
      Institute for Great Lakes Research
      Perrysburg, Ohio