Thomas W. Ferry (Schooner), U24904, aground, 1 Nov 1880

TWO FINE VESSELS LOST.
It has already been announced that the steamship FLETCHER, with a full cargo of corn from Chicago, was ashore on the South Fox Island, and that the fine large schooner THOMAS W. FERRY, with a full cargo of iron ore, was ashore on the head of the Beaver. The Beaver and South Fox are island at the foot of this lake. But it as been confidently thought all along that both would be rescued. The tug WINSLOW, Captain Mart, with Captain Mart Blackburn as wrecking master, after rescuing the schooner TAYLOR and safely quartering her at Northport, went and "took a look" at the FLETCHER and FERRY. The tug arrived at Port Huron yesterday having got through the Straits of Mackinaw without trouble from ice, and Captain Blackburn telegraphs to his employers here, Atkins & Beckwith, that the FLETCHER is all broken up, and that the FERRY is all gone from the after hatch aft. The total loss of two fine vessels, with at least one cargo, is thus announced. The corn cargo of the FLETCHER is of course a total Loss, but the ore cargo of the FERRY may be raised.
      The corn was insured in Dimmick's Agency at Buffalo -- the Continental, of New York, and the New England Underwriters. The hull of the FLETCHER and the hull and cargo of the FERRY are also insured.
      The FLETCHER measured 1,000 tons, was built by G.H. Notter in 1873, was owned by the Niagara Transportation Company, rated A 1-1/2, and was valued at $50,000.
      The FERRY [named in honor of Senator Ferry, of Michigan measured 572 tons, was built by J.M. Jones in 1872, was owned by P.J. Ralph, of Detroit [ex-supervising inspector of steam-boats of this district, rated B 1, and was valued at $18,000.
      Nothing has been heard from the schooner WARMINGTON, also ashore at the foot of this lake, for some time. It is stated however, that she too, is likely to become a total wreck.
      The J.W. Hall Great Lakes Marine Scrapbook, December 1880
     


      The standing rigging and other outfit of the stranded schooner THOMAS W. FERRY has been taken to Milwaukee. Only a small portion of the FERRY's ore cargo has thus far been removed, but the wreckers have found a purchaser for the ore, and expect to recover nearly all of it next season.
      Cleveland Herald
      Thursday, November 17, 1881
     

NAME: THOMAS W. FERRY
RIG: Schooner
OFFICIAL NO: 24904
SIGNAL LETTERS:
LOA:
BEAM:
DEPTH:
GROSS: 572.23 (1872; 1873; 1875; 1876; 1877; 1878; 1879; 1880; 1880-81; 1882; 1883)
NET:
YEAR BUILT:
STATE:
CITY:
HOME PORT: Detroit, MI (1872; 1873; 1875; 1876; 1877; 1878; 1879; 1880; 1880-81; 1882; 1883)
YEARS LISTED: 1872; 1873; 1875; 1876; 1877; 1878; 1879; 1880; 1880-81; 1882; 1883.
NOTES:
      Mvus, pre-list to 1885