Burlington (Propeller), lost tow barges, 9 Nov 1872

The only disaster of magnitude befell a tow of lumber barges, which class of craft seem to have been very unfortunate during the past season, the victim in this instance being the stmb. BURLINGTON, with barges KENTUCKY, STAR OF THE NORTH and FOREST QUEEN, all loaded with lumber and bound from Bay City to Buffalo. The barges were caught in the storm near Gravelly Bay, and the captain of the BURLINGTON endeavored to take his tow into harbor but was unsuccessful, and was obliged to head for Buffalo. Between Gravelly Bay and Pt. Abino the tow lines of the kentucky and the STAR OF THE NORTH parted. The storm was so violent that any attempt to secure the barges would have been useless, and the BURLINGTON and FOREST QUEEN kept on alone.
      Off Pt. Abino the line connecting the barges parted and since that time nothing has been heard or seen of the ill-fated FOREST QUEEN. The STAR OF THE NORTH drifted about at the mercy of the waves for a few hours and finally anchored near Pt. Abino. The
KENTUCKY anchored about 4 miles up the bay. The BURLINGTON arrived safely, and upon the news of the disaster being received the tug GARDNER was sent in pursuit of the missing craft. The STAR OF THE NORTH was brought into port yesterday morning, and
the crew of the KENTUCKY, which was waterlogged, were taken from their uncomfortable quarters. The barge itself was afterwards towed in near the new breakwater, where it will remain at anchor until the water becomes calm.
      The FOREST QUEEN had a crew of 7 men, and as nothing had been heard of either vessel or crew at a late hour yesterday, it is feared that their names must be added to the already long list of sprays which swept over the frail planks would be enought to weaken even the strongest and most hardy, and ere this the treacherous waters of Lake Erie have doubtless enshrouded and entombed the remains of the 7 unfortunate mariners.
      Buffalo Morning Express
      November 9, 1872 1-3