Colonial (Propeller), U126012, aground, 23 Oct 1900

FIVE MILES BELOW THE SOO.
      PROPELLER COLONIAL HITS A ROCK AND GOES TO THE BOTTOM.
      Heavy Fog Caused The Master To Go To The Channel Edge.
      Fortunately, All Vessels Have Just Room Enough To Get By.
Sault Ste, Marie, Mich., October 23. -- Another serious marine accident occurred at an early hour this morning, when the steamer COLONIAL, was sunk during a thick fog diagonally across the channel at the Little Rapids. The wreck only partially blocks the channel, however, and boats can safely pass the sunken craft.
      The COLONIAL, which was bound down, tied up here last night, At an early hour this morning, she got under way and just as she was entering the cut at the Little Rapids, a dense fog was encountered. Capt. Richard Neville, who was in command, ran too close to the edge of the channel, and the steamer struck a bolder on the starboard side of the bank, just below the light. A hole was stove in her of such size as to cause her to fill and sink within ten minutes. Before sinking, however, she sunk around diagonally across the channel with her head up stream. She now lies midway between the black can and the lighthouse in that position. Her upper deck is just even with the surface of the water. General Superintendent Ripley, of the canal, is at the scene of the wreck, and prompt measures will be taken to raise the stranded vessel.
      The wrecking tug FAVORITE, which, under the command of Capt. Mart Swain, performed such successful service in raising and freeing the BIELMAN a few weeks ago on Fisherman's Shoal was ordered from Cheboygan this afternoon to assist in releasing the COLONIAL.
      The COLONIAL was built in 1882. She is 244 feet keel, 36 foot beam and has a net capacity of 1,188 tons. Her value is about $40,000. Her owner is Capt. John W. Moore, of Cleveland, who owns the steel steamer of this name which sank the schooner RICHARDS of Walkerville in July. The COLONIAL was originally built for the Republic Iron Company, and towed the SPECULAR, which was afterwards made into a steamer and now lies a wreck at the side of Pelee Passage. Another tow owned by the same company was the steamer CONTINENTAL and consort MAGNETIC. In those days they were considered two of the largest and finest tows on the lakes. There combined capacity on the draft then allowed was about 9,000 tons.
      The scene of the accident is about five miles below the Soo, and there is said to be 100 feet of room astern of the wreck.
A dispatch last night said that with the assistance of tugs all boats could get by.
      Detroit Free Press
      October 24, 1900


Sault Ste. Marie, October 28. -- The sunken steamer COLONIAL swung off the shoal this morning when the pumps were put to work and lightering was not necessary. She was brought here and now lies at the dock making temporary repairs. She will be able to leave on Monday.
      Detroit Free Press
      October 29, 1900


COLONIAL steam screw. Official U. S. Number 126012, of 1,713 Gross Tons. 1,323 Tons Net. 244.5 x 36.3 x 22.9 a freighter of 725 H.P.indicated. Built Cleveland, Ohio 1882. Home port, Port Huron. Crew 15.
      Merchant Vessel List of the U. S. A., 1914