Loretta (Propeller), U141238, fire, 8 Oct 1896

Black River, Mich., Oct. 8. -- The steamer LORETTA caught fire at 1 o'clock this morning while lying at a dock and was finally towed outside and there burned to the water's edge. She now lies on the reef, a total wreck. The cause of the fire is not known. It was discovered under the boiler by the watchman, and the crew of ten men headed by Captain C.H. Woodgrift, made strong efforts to save the boat, but she was finally abandoned and towed out of the harbor by the tug WESTCOTT. The LORETTA came in Saturday night with a cargo of chain and broke her wheel while coming in. She was waiting for the steamer HURON CITY, which was to tow her to Grand Marais, where she was to load lumber. The LORETTA was owned by Herman Endress of Bay City and was built in 1892. She was known as an unlucky boat, having been in dry-dock every year since she was built. She rated 294 tons and did not carry any insurance. The flames spread from the burning boat to the lumber on the dock, destroying 500,000 feet of lumber, 150,000 shingles, and 219 feet of the dock. The lumber and dock were the property of Alger Smith & Co.
      Milwaukee Library Scrapbook
      Friday, October 9, 1896


      Herman Endress, owner of the steambarge LORETTA, recently burned at Black River, states that the vessel was uninsured and his loss will agregate $30,000.
      Port Huron Daily Times
      Friday, October 16, 1896



Steam screw LORETA. U. S. No. 141238. Of 394.52 tons gross; 284.19 tons net. Built at Sebewaing, Mich., in 1892. Home port, Port Huron, Mich. 140.0 x 30.5 x 8.8
      Merchant Vessel List, U.S., 1895