Oceanica (Propeller), U155040, sunk by collision, 14 Aug 1896

LAKE BOATS SUNK.
      Lehigh Valley Company's OCEANICA and the Propeller CHISHOLM
      Collide in Lake St. Clair and Both go to the Bottom.
Detroit, Mich., Aug. 15. - Late last night that steamer OCEANICA of the Lehigh Valley Transportation Company's fleet collided with the propeller WILLIAM CHISHOLM in the new channel in Lake St. Clair and both were sunk.
The OCEANICA was bound up, loaded with coal from Buffalo to Chicago. The CHISHOLM was loaded with iron ore and was bound from Marquette to Ohio ports. None of the crews was drowned, the men taking to the rigging until help arrived. The OCEANICA was valued at $80,000, the CHISHOLM at $125,000.
The boats lie in 17 feet of water. It is thought that the accident was caused by a confusion of signal lights.
      Buffalo Evening News
      Saturday, August 15, 1896



      Detroit, August 15. - The steel steamer WILLIAM CHISHOLM and the steamer OCEANICA collided last night in Lake St. Clair and both vessels went to the bottom. No lives were lost.
      Chicago Inter-Ocean
      August 16, 1896



Arrangements have been made for the raising of the of the steamer WILLIAM CHISHOLM sunk last Friday night in Lake St. Clair in collision with the propeller OCEANICA, also sunk.
      Port Huron Daily Times
      Monday, August 17, 1896


Buffalo, N.Y., Aug. 20. -- General manager Henry denies the report that he was about to abandon the OCEANICA to the underwriters. He is negoting a contract for raising her, but it has not yet been closed.
      Evening Wisconsin
      August 21, 1896
     

Steam screw OCEANICA. U. S. No. 155040. oF 1,490 tons gross; 1,241 tons net. Built West Bay City, Mich., 1881. Home port, Niagara Falls, N.Y. 262.8 x 37.2 x 19.9 Freight service. Crew of 16. Of 600 indicated horsepower.
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1906