Vanderbilt (Propeller), waterlogged, aground, 1 Sep 1879

DISABLED STEAMERS - Last Wednesday, while on her down trip the steamer PRINCE ALFRED sighted a steamer off Griffiths Island, making signals of distress. The PRINCE ALFRED at once proceeded to the relief of the disabled craft which proved to be the steam barge VANDERBILT, bound from Midland to Goderich, loaded with lumber and lath, and having encountered extremely heavy weather, had become waterlogged, and had her deck load washed away. When discovered, the VANDERBILT was under sail, making for shelter, the water having entered the stoke hole and extinguished her fire.
While in the act of backing up to make fast to the VANDERBILT, a heavy sea broke the rudder chain of the PRINCE ALFRED, and the rudder having swung around cane in contact with the screw, breaking the stem, thus disabling both the steamers. After drifting about
for some considerable time, the steamer NORTHERN BELLE appeared off the east end of Griffiths Island, and being signalled, immediately came to their relief, taking them in tow. When off Presqu'Isle, the VANDERBILT began to settle, and baggage of the crew was at once transferred to the `PRINCE', but the lumber in the hold of the barge buoying her up, she only settled some four feet. In this position she was towed to the mouth of the Sydenham River, and having grounded, was left, and the 'BELLE' with 'PRINCE' proceeded.
      Wiarton Echo
      Sept. 5, 1879