Lizzie A. Law (Schooner), U140133, collision, 14 Jun 1894

Maybe the vessel owners around the lakes won't have a huge laugh at the expense of the versatile Captain "Jim" Davidson, the millionaire West Bay City vessel builder and owner. The dispatches have briefly stated that the schooner LIZZIE A. LAW poked her nose into the steamer SALINA in the Saginaw River and caused the latter to sink, entailing a loss of about $4,000. The LAW was in tow of the steamer ROBERT HOLLAND at the time, and the collision is due to carelessness in the handling of the HOLLAND.
The fact of the matter is that Capt. Davidson was mentally, physically, actually and personally in command of the HOLLAND, which is his own property. It seems that the SALINA gave the first signal, and Davidson responded with a cross signal, which the SALINA refused to answer, in accordance with the White Law. The HOLLAND and LAW had been aground at the mouth of the river for two days and Davidson was afraid of a repetition of it if he accepted the SALINA's signal, so he kept on his way with the result mentioned. It is thought that the local inspectors will investigate Davidson for blowing a cross signal.
      Detroit Free Press
      June 14, 1895



Schooner LIZZIE A. LAW. U. S. No. 140133. Of 747.48 tons gross; 710.13 tons net. Built Huron, Mich., 1875. Home port, Chicago, Ill.
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1884