British Whig (Kingston, ON), 29 Aug 1898

p.2 Skiff Sailing Series - the first race.

To Hold The Dredge Here - board of trade to petition government to keep dredge working in harbor.

Steamboat Inspection Act, 1898.

Copies of the Steamboat Inspection Act, 1898, have been issued. Among the revisions is this clause: "The expression 'steamboat' includes any vessel used in navigation or afloat on navigable waters and propelled wholly or in part by steam or by any machinery or power other than sails or oars, and includes steam dredges and floating elevators." The latter clause brings dredges and floating elevators under the supervision of inspectors and comes into force on January 1st, 1899. Clause fifty-two now invests the minister with power to order an investigation into the cause of any accident on any steamboat, even if not attended by loss of life. The revised act does not prohibit a government inspector from taking part in municipal affairs.

p.4

MARINE INTELLIGENCE.

The tug Bronson, light, left for Montreal yesterday.

The schooner Acacia, coal-laden, arrived from Oswego yesterday.

The schooner Two Brothers, from Oswego with coal, is discharging at Crawford's wharf.

The tug James A. Walker, with two coal-laden barges, arrived in port from Charlotte Saturday.

The Folgers will run no more cheap excursions out of Ogdensburg or Brockville. They will maintain their regular rates.

The tug Active left Saturday with five grain-laden barges for Montreal, and after transferring them at Prescott, returned to port light.

The tug David G. Thompson (sic - Thomson) arrived from Oswego Saturday night with two coal-laden barges, and cleared down the river, light.

C.F. Gildersleeve tells the Montreal Star that no race will occur between the steamer Columbian and New Island Wanderer. Business prevents indulging in such pastime.

Arrivals at Richardsons' elevator: schooner Kate, Wellington, 6,000 bushels peas and wheat; schooner Maggie L., 2,500 bushels wheat from bay ports; sloop Laura D., Conway, 2,000 bushels peas.

The machinery of the steamer S.L. Tilley became disabled above Long Point on Saturday and she was delayed about twenty-four hours in making repairs. She arrived at Port Colborne on Sunday leaking some and one pump is working to keep the water down. She has a cargo of wheat from Fort William to Montreal.

CYLINDER BLOWN IN PIECES.

The crew of the tug James A. Walker, Montreal transportation company, had a lively experience on their last trip to Charlotte. She left here last Tuesday with the barges Kingston and Colborne to load coal at the American port. The two following days were spent there, the weather being too rough to come across the lake. A start was made at three o'clock Thursday afternoon, but the tow was obliged to run back owing to the heavy sea. The barge Colborne, an old craft, labored so hard that she almost rolled over when a heavy wave would strike her. The north-west wind that day lashed the water into such a tempest that the steamer North King had several windows smashed in when crossing from Port Hope to Charlotte.

On Friday morning the sea was a little easier, and the Walker left with her barges at six o'clock. Under half steam, the tow made good headway and everything went well until the main Ducks were reached, when a loud report was heard from the tug and the engines stopped. An examination showed that the piston had broken badly shattering the cylinder and bending the piston rod. No further damage was done. The force of the barges coming against the tug pushed her way close to the islands and there they lay until the S.S. Rosemount, which fortunately was only about a half mile off, approached in answer to a distress signal sounded from the Walker. The steamer left her consorts in safe anchorage at the Ducks and brought the disabled tug and the barges to port. It is thought the break was due to a flaw in the metal. A new cylinder is necessary and this means a delay of about three weeks for the tug. Chief engineer Thurston says these accidents are liable to occur at any time.