British Whig (Kingston, ON), 26 Aug 1898

p.2 Personal Mention - Capt. Gilbert Johnston, mechanical superintendent of the R. & O. navigation company, is in the city superintending some repairs to the machinery of the steamer Columbian.

Race Of Steam Against Fire.

The despatches of Tuesday told how Capt. James Crawford, of the tug Ira O. Smith, saved his boat and his men by a race of steam against fire for a distance of five miles. Fire broke out in the hold of the tug, and the captain succeeded in getting his boat into the Chicago river just in time to save her, though the captain himself was badly burned. Capt. Crawford is well known on the river and lower lakes. He formerly lived on Wolfe Island and sailed on boats out of this port and Garden Island when a very young man. The tug Ira O. Smith is owned by Barry brothers, Chicago, who were born and raised on Wolfe Island. One of the Barry brothers is an alderman in Chicago. Capt. Thomas Crawford, also employed with the Barry brothers, is a brother of Capt. James Crawford, and also sailed out of Garden Island. Prior to his departure to the upper lakes, he was captain of the schooner Grantham, now owned by the Donnelly salvage and wrecking company. Capt. Crawford's are dead and the remaining members of the family are residing in Chicago.

p.4

MARINE INTELLIGENCE.

The S.S. Rosemount and consorts leave for Chicago tonight.

The tug Thomson left for Oswego last evening with two barges to load coal.

For the first time in three weeks the flues in the boiler of the steamer Columbian were cleaned out today. More than two thirds of the tubes were choked with soot.

Capt. James Stone, Cleveland, Ohio, has been appointed supervising inspector of steamer vessels for the ninth district. This district includes the St. Lawrence river.

During the coming winter the steamer New York's machinery will be overhauled and an attempt made to increase her speed. If needs be a new engine will be added.

The new whaleback steamer Alexander McDougall, according to her officers' opinion, is a failure as a grain carrying vessel. She is a greater success at carrying ore.

Capt. H. Esford, of the steamer Corsican, will command the steamer Toronto of the R. & O. navigation company when she comes out. F.M. Hepburn will go as steward of her.

On Wednesday second mate Benefenille, of the steamer Cuba, fell overboard and was lost in the Detroit river. He was twenty-two years old, and lived on Isle Pero, near Montreal.

Last week the steamer Spartan caused a slight injury to one of the Cornwall locks when passing through. On this last up trip she was held in the lock until the damages, amounting to $10, were paid over.

The tug James A. Walker with a coal tow left Charlotte yesterday afternoon at three o'clock for this port. The sea on the lake was too heavy and she was forced to turn back, but will reach here this afternoon.

Touched at Swift & Co.'s wharf - steamer Bohemian, Toronto to Montreal; steamer Corsican, Montreal to Toronto; steamer Hamilton, Montreal to Hamilton; steamer Arundell, Charlotte to Alexandria Bay; steamer Caspian for Ogdensburg.

The lake carriers' association and several boards of trade in United States cities are urging the abolition of canal tolls on Welland and St. Lawrence river canals. The association has appointed a committee to look after the matter, which includes the secretary, Charles H. Keep, Buffalo; H.D. Goulder, Cleveland, counsel for the association, and J.H. Westbrook, manager for the Ogdensburg transit company.

Marinette, Wis., Aug. 24th - A hurricane struck Egg Harbor, Green Bay, last night. The schooners Pride of Milwaukee and Norman lying at anchor were capsized, and Neil Teilman and another man were drowned....