William H. Gratwick (Tug), U80879, sank, 16 Jul 1900

Buffalo, July 16. - The tug GRATWICK, of the Great Lakes Towing Company sank in the Niagara River at Tonawanda, tonight, and Louis Herst, a fireman, and James Parker, who was on the boat for a ride, were drowned. The towing line snapped and the tug careened and sank.
      Saginaw Courier-Herald
      July 17, 1900

      . . . . .

      TUG SUNK AND TWO LIVES LOST.
While towing the barge ELEANOR to her dock at North Tonawanda Monday evening the Great Lakes Towing Company's tug WILLIAM H. GRATWICK was capsized and sunk, and carried down with her Louis Herst, the fireman, and a passenger named James Parker. The accident happened near the foot of Tonawanda island. The tug and barge were rounding a curve of the stream on the Island side when the trouble began. An eddy is formed at that point by the peculiarity and swiftness of the stream, and as the tug struck this part of the stream it headed towards the island shore, while the barge which was --?-- middle of the stream. An effort was made to let go the towline, but it failed and the tug capsized. Capt. Walter Judd swam ashore and Engineer George Gagson clung to a plank until rescued by the crew of the barge.
      Milwaukee Library Scrapbook
      July 17, 1900
     
     
     
The tug WILLIAM H. GRATWICK , which was capsized and sunk by a barge near North Tonawanda, is being raised.
      Milwaukee Library Scrapbook
      July 20, 1900

Steam screw tug Wm. H. GRATWICK. U. S. No. 80879. Of 20 tons gross; 10 tons net. Built Buffalo, N.Y. 1882. Home port, Buffalo, N.Y. 48.0 x 12.8 x 6.6
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1891