Two Sisters (Propeller), U212527, fire, 30 Aug 1921

During the electrical storm that swept over the outskirts of Tonawanda and vicinity, shortly before 8:00 last night, a bolt of lightning is believed to have started a fire that destroyed the tugs DOUGHBOY and TWIN SISTERS, the property of the Cowles Shipyard Co. of Buffalo, lying in the abandoned cut of the Erie Canal, a mile west of Bush's bridge.
      The tugs were placed in ordinary at that point last year. Recently a gang of men were put to work making repairs on the boats with the intention of placing them in commission again this fall. Repairs had progressed to a point where the boats were about to go into service again.
      After the first few flashes of lightning in the vicinity of Bush's bridge last night, flames broke out on the DOUGHBOY and soon spread to the TWIN SISTERS. The tugs were so located that it was considered useless to
call upon the local firemen for assistance. The boats were bruned to the water's edge.
      The fire attracted the attention of many persons motoring along the Niagara Falls Boulevard and other nearby roadways with the result that the banks of the canal were soon crowded with spectators.
      The DOUGHBOY, formerly the ARTHUR D., was built in 1889. It was formerly owned by the Great Lakes Towing Co. The TWIN SISTERS was formerly the property of Ira M. Rose of Tonawanda, who brought the craft here from Dunkirk, where it was formerly engaged in the fishing industry.
      The damage will not exceed $10,000.
      The Tonawanda Evening News
      August 31, 1921 1-3


Steam screw TWO SISTERS. U. S. No. 212527. Of 16 tons gross. Built 1914. On August 30, 1921, vessel burned in Tonawanda Creek, N.Y. No lives lost.
      Loss Reported of American Vessels
      Merchant vessel List, U. S., 1922
     
     
Steam screw TWO SISTERS. U. S. No. 212527. Of 36 tons gross; 18 tons net. Built St. James, Mich., 1914. Home port, Grand Haven Mich. 44.0 x 13.6 x 6.5 Freight service. Crew of 5.
      Merchant Vessel List, U.. S., 1918