Ira H. Owen (Propeller), U100410, collision, 20 Jul 1897

SUSQUEHANNA AND OWEN COLLIDE.
Alpena, July 21. - The Anchor liner SUSQUEHANNA and the Owen Liner IRA H. OWEN, met in collision in thick fog off Presque Isle Point, Lake Huron, early yesterday morning. Both vessels were badly damaged. The SUSQUEHANNA made her way to Middle Island and then proceeded to Chicago, accompanied by the LYCOMING. The OWEN put into
Alpena for repairs.
      Buffalo Evening News
      Wednesday, July 21, 1897 5 - 4

      . . . . .

Supervising inspector Galway of the detroit district has reversed the decision of the Port Huron Local Inspectors Danger and Van Liew, by which First Mate Sidney O. Neff of the stm. IRA H. OWEN was held to blame for the recent collision of that steamer with the SUSQUEHANNA off Thunder Bay. Mr. Neff had his license suspended for 90 days and took an appeal to the decision of the Port Huron Inspectors.
Mr. Galway, after giving the evidence the utmost consideration, says he finds nothing in it shows carelessness or negligence on the part of Mr. Neff in the management of the stm. OWEN, nor anything that points to a violation of the rules of steamboat navigation. Both boats it seems were going at a moderate speed.
"Just prior to the collision," said Mr. Galway, "or at the time passing signals were given and answered, there was no doubt a misjudgement as to the relative position of the 2 steamers, which was in reality the cause of the accident, but as passing signals are permitted in thick and foggy weather under rule 28 of the pilot law, officers cannot be censured for using them."
      Buffalo Morning Express
      September 17, 1897 3-1



Steam screw IRA H. OWEN. U. S. No. 100410. Of 1753 tons gross; 1497 tons net. Built Cleveland, Ohio, 1887. Home port, Milwaukee, Wis. 262.0 x 39.0 x 19.0 Crew of 17. Of 750 indicated horsepower.
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1904