British Whig (Kingston, ON), 11 Oct 1898

p.1 Alderman Stewart has been awarded the contract of supplying an additional 1,000 tons of coal to the Kingston penitentiary. The schooner Fleetwing has been chartered to carry the coal across from Charlotte.

p.4

ASHORE IN THE RAPIDS.

For the past two days the Donnelly salvage and wrecking company has been waiting for a change of wind to raise the water in the Coteau Landing to assist in taking the steamship Aragon down safely. Last evening the wind lulled and at once the tug Rival started down the rapids, John Donnelly, jr., in charge. The tow passed the Cedar rapids and the dreaded Split Rock rapids in safety and under the skilful pilotage of George Haines, was rapidly passing through Cascades rapids when the large steamer took a sheer and, before the tug could check her, struck and stranded at Cascade Point. The tug Rival rounded to alongside the stranded vessel and it was found that the latter had run out sixteen inches at the bow. The tug Chieftain, with Capt. John Donnelly, sr., on board, was just behind with the barge Becker in tow, and as soon as Capt. Donnelly noticed the stranded steamer he ordered the Chieftain to round to, which she safely did alongside Coteau du Lac wharf. Today the two tugs are working at the stranded vessel, and members of the Donnelly firm say she will be in safety before night. This steamer is as large as the steamer Rosemount, and nothing like such dangerous work has ever been attempted before.

Forced To Scuttle Her.

Today saw one of the fiercest gales which swept the harbor this season. About midnight the wind veered around from the east, and came out of the south with increasing velocity. In a short time it had risen to a gale, which lashed the waters of the lake and harbor into a tempestuous sea. The harbor presented a wild scene at daylight this morning, the white-crested waves rushing pall-mall in a wild race, and dashing against the wharves, threw their spray high in the air, which, being caught by the wind, was carried for some distance in drenching clouds. It was a wild night on the lake for several boats. The schooner Kate and W.J. Suffel, bound for Oswego, were obliged to run back to the shelter of Four Mile point, where they could ride out the gale in perfect safety. The steamer Bothnia and consort Valencia, from Charlotte to Prescott with coal, were caught out in mid-lake, and experienced an exciting trip across. The sea caught them on the starboard quarter and tossed both boats about like corks, rolling across the decks at intervals. They weathered the gale well and rounded inside of Nine Mile point after six o'clock this morning. The schooner Eliza Fisher, coal-laden, was to leave Charlotte yesterday, as her bills of lading reached the city by mail this morning. No signs of her were to be had today, and if she left Charlotte yesterday, her experience on the storm-tossed lake was by no means an enviable one. The schooner Fabiola had a rough berth at the water works wharf during the night, as the seas struck her almost broadside. She grated harshly against the wharf timbers, and to prevent further damage the government tug St. Francis was secured to tow her to one of the M.T. company's slips, where the sea could not affect her.

The most serious damage done, as far as can be ascertained, was to the schooner S.H. Burton, which discharged her cargo of coal at the Kingston hosiery mill wharf yesterday. Instead of pulling out to an anchorage after unloading, the captain allowed the schooner to remain at the wharf, which is exposed to the sea. She pounded so heavily that her starboard side was crushed in, and to save her from further damage it was necessary to scuttle her.

In Welland Canal.

Port Colborne, Oct. 10th - down: schooner Dunn, Toledo to Kingston, timber; steamer Niagara, Rebay to Toronto, lumber; barges Ritter and Helvetia, Detroit to New York; Brown, Wall, Camden, Cleveland to New York; steamer Rugee, Chicago to Prescott, corn.

Marine Items.

The schooner Annandale cleared for Charlotte yesterday.

The sloop Dandy, with oats from Gananoque, was unloaded at Richardsons' elevator today.

At Richardsons' elevator today cars were loaded with 20,000 bushels of wheat for eastern points.

The ferry and Cape Vincent steamers had a rough time today. The latter went around the foot of the island.

The sloop Madcap arrived from Wolfe Island last night and discharged 1,500 bushels of oats at Richardsons' elevator.

The steamer Bothnia, from Charlotte with coal, dropped her consort Valencia at Garden Island this morning, and proceeded to Prescott.

During the year ended June 30th, 1898, there were built and documented in the United States 952 merchant vessels of 180,458 gross tons, compared with 991 vessels of 232,233 gross tons in the preceding fiscal year.

p.6 Late Afternoon Events - Capt. Donnelly had a conversation this afternoon with the owners of the steamer Algonquin, reported to have foundered in Lake Superior. They reported the steamer safe. She left Midland yesterday light and was not near Lake Superior.

The big steamer Simon J. Murphy and three consorts arrived from the west yesterday. They are all going through to the coast.

The schooner Iron City arrived here yesterday, on route to the seaboard.

Burton Taken To Shelter.

When the sea moderated a little today the government tug St. Francis went to the relief of the schooner Burton at the hosiery wharf and towed her down into the shelter of the harbor.

Did Well At the Work.

The little tug used in connection with the government dredge in the harbor went to the assistance of the schooner Burton this morning, and steamboat men say they never saw a tug handled to better advantage in a storm. They give the captain great praise for his skill and daring.

Shipment of Hogs.

The steamer Hero was over an hour late this morning due to the shipment of 200 hogs from bay ports to the city. They were consigned to W.H. Reid. The Hero pulled the sloop H.M. Ballou from the wharf at Conway to an anchorage out from the shore, as the sloop was pounding heavily against the wharf.

The Wind Prevented Work.

Capt. Donnelly received word today from his brother saying that a gale of wind was prevailing over the Cascade rapids, and that no work could be done towards relieving the stranded steamer Aragon.