Chicago (Propeller), U4266, fire, 24 Aug 1882

About 11 o'clock Thursday night the steam barge CHICAGO was discovered on fire in Lake Michigan. In 15 minutes she was ablaze and the men escaped to the consort MANITOWOC. The CHICAGO burned to the water's edge and about 7 o'clock Friday went down with a crash. her cargo was coal bound for Chicago.
      Port Huron Daily Times
      Wednesday, August 30, 1882

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      LOSS OF THE OLD PROPELLER CHICAGO.
The old propeller CHICAGO, coal-laden and bound for this port with the barges MANITOWOC and C.B. JONES in tow, took fire abreast of the North Fox Island, at the foot of this lakes, and burned to the water's edge. Captain and all hands were saved. The steamer NORTHERNER, bound down from Chicago, reports at Detroit that " On Thursday night at 10 o'clock he saw a fire off North Fox Island, and heading for it found it to be the steambarge CHICAGO. When the NORTHERNER arrived the crew had already deserted the burning steamer and were on board of one of her two consorts. The fire broke out shortly before 10 o'clock and soon overpowered the crew, who took to the boats. Captain Shepherd offered to take the crew to Detroit, but preferred remaining on the barge and going to Chicago, whither the tow was bound. The lake was perfectly calm, and when the NORTHERNER left the steambarge had burned to within six inches of the water aft, but the fire had not yet reached the forward part. The CHICAGO was still afloat when the NORTHERNER passed out of sight, although the slightest swell would cause her to sink."
      A dispatch from Glen Haven, received in Chicago of Saturday, confirms the announcement of the disaster.
      The Captain and crew of the CHICAGO are on board the barge MANITOWOC, which, with the C.B. JONES, was looked for in Chicago late last night. Since the disaster they have had good northerly breezes behind them.
The CHICAGO measured 746 tons. She was built at Buffalo by Bidwell & Banta in 1855, rated B 1, and had a valuation of $20,000. C.H. Lane and others, of Buffalo, were the owners. Among the insurance companies on the hull are the St. Paul, Shoe & leather, and Continental.
      The cargo, was about 1,000 tons of coal, was consigned to the Chicago Stove Works. It is insured. The steamer's freight list is also insured.
      It is generally concluded that the burned hulk sunk, but this is not positively know.
      The J.W. Hall Great Lakes Marine Scrapbook, Aug./Sept., 1882
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      TOTAL LOSSES, 1882
      [Inter Ocean Casualty List]
Aug. 24. -- Propeller CHICAGO No. 1, by fire off North Fox Island, Lake Michigan. Crew saved.
      J.W. Hall Great Lakes Marine Scrapbook, December, 1882
     
     
     
CHICAGO, propeller of 764 tons. Built Buffalo by Bidwell & Banta in 1855. Owned by lane, et al. Home Port, Buffalo. Valued at $20,000 Class B 1. REMARKS -- Frames both ends, floor timbers, arches and decks and beams. 30 & 31.
      Inland Lloyds Vessel register 1882.
     
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CHICAGO, propeller. U.S. No. 4266, of 758. Built 1855 at Buffalo, N.Y. Home port, Buffalo, N.Y. Abandoned 1882
      Merchant Steam Vessels of the U. S. A.
      Lytle - Holdcamper List, 1790 - 1868
     

NOTE:- This vessel is not listed in the U. S. Merchant Vessels List, 1884.