British Whig (Kingston, ON), 4 Aug 1913

p.1 Trent Valley Canal - Ottawa, Aug. 4th - start of construction within sight.

COUNCIL TO INVESTIGATE.

Ogdensburg, N.Y., Aug. 4th - In all probability, the common council at its next meeting will enquire into the circumstances surrounding the mishap to the ferry steamer City of Belleville last week. It is claimed that by the terms of its contract with the city, the new ferry steamer Miss Vandenberg was to be run on the route, whereas the mishap to the Belleville has brought to light the alleged fact that the ferry people have been using the Belleville part of the time, particularly at night, because she is less expensive to run. If the mishap to the boat had happened under diffierent circumstances, the lives of all on board would have been jeopardized.

STEAMER RAN AMUCK IN THE WELLAND CANAL

Steamer Lehigh Took Dive Over Lock Gate.

St. Catharines, Aug. 4th - One of the most peculiar accidents in the history of the Welland canal occurred about 2:30 Saturday afternoon when the steel steamer Lehigh took a dive from the level lock 23 to that of lock 22, a distance of 14 feet. The Lehigh, loaded with coal from Loraine for Montreal, was entering lock 23 at an unusually high speed, and before the efforts to check her were of any avail, she smashed into the two foot-gates, smashing the top off each gate about half way down.

The force of the water in the level behind them then carried the steamer over the lower half of the gates and into the level fourteen feet below, bow first. As she took the plunge her bow was submerged for some time, and she shipped considerable water. As she rose the force of water caught her again, and swept her full speed down the level below towards lock 22, from which the steamer Fairmount, bound up, was just emerging. The captain of the Lehigh, in order to avoid a collision with the Fairmount, ran his steamer (unreadable) abutment of lock (unreadable) large hole in her (unreadable) line.

The ( ) to fill and sink, but the ( ) set to work, along with a pump manned by the canal autorities, and with those they have been able to keep the steamer afloat. One of the buckets of her wheel was knocked off in the plunge over the lock gates, and she was otherwise damaged. She was owned by the Anchor Line of Buffalo. She is too heavily laden to get into the dock at Port Dalhousie, and an effort will be made to patch her up and get her either to the dock at Kingston or Montreal.

Repairs were made to the lock, two new gates being set in, and navigation was resumed at 8:30 Sunday morning.

JOHN SHARPLES HIT ROCK.

Montreal, Aug. 4th - With her stern deep down in the water, the collier John Sharples staggered up the river and through the canal, Friday night. Her pumps were working to their full capacity, and by doing so they were able to keep the water from gaining in the vessel. Torrents of water were pouring out of the stern all the time. The ship was a peculiar looking one as it came into the port in the early evening.

On Wednesday she was just clearing from Chicoutimi, when she hit a rock in the channel. The blow was not hard, but it put a bad hole in the hull somewhere, and the river water poured in. The Sharples crept to Quebec, where a diver was secured to examine the bottom of the vessel, but he failed to find the injured spot. Then the captain decided he could come up the St. Lawrence with safety. He passed up the canal on Friday night on his way to Port Huron, where he will dock the John Sharples for an overhauling.

p.2

IN MARINE CIRCLES.

The steambarge Navajo ran aground near Northport on the Bay of Quinte Saturday, and was released Sunday by the Frontenac of the Calvin Co. The Navajo went aground on the north shore. She was light, on her way to Buffalo, to take on a load of pig iron.

The steamer Sowards and schooner Maize arrived from Oswego, both coal-laden. The Sowards is unloading at Soward's wharf, and the Maize at Crawford's.

The steamer Phelps, from Charlotte, is discharging coal at Crawford's wharf.

The schooner Kate Eccles arrived from Charlotte and is discharging coal at the cotton mill.

The steamer Turret Chief cleared for Oswego.

The schooner Ford River is at Richardson's wharf loading feldspar.

The steamer Turret Crown is on the dry dock of the Kingston Shipbuilding company.

M.T. Co.'s elevator: steamer Turret Crown, from Fort William, discharged a cargo of grain; steamer Advance passed down on her way from Port Colborne to Montreal with grain; steamer Rosemount passed down, grain-laden, from Fort William to Montreal; tug Bartlett passed down, light, will return from Prescott with the barges Ungava and Augustus for Port Colborne; steamer Westmount, from Fort William, discharged grain and cleared for Fort William; tug Bronson from Montreal, three light barges, cleared for Montreal with three grain barges; tug Hall from Montreal with three light barges, cleared for Montreal with three grain barges; steamer Kinmount is due to arrive Tuesday from Fort William to discharge grain; tug Emerson is due up today with two light barges.

At Swift's wharf: The steamer Rideau King cleared for Ottawa Monday morning; steamer Belleville called on her trip west; steamer Kingston passed down and up; steamer America was down from bay ports.

p.3 Yacht Club Race - second race for McKay-Polson trophy; Isis sailed by H. Hora; Heather by Lt. Col. Strange and the Chiriya by Dalton Bros.; won by Chiriya.

p.5

NEGLIGENT OFFICIALS

The negligence of United States customs and immigration officials at Thousand Island points is disgusting passengers who go from Kingston on steamers. A short time ago the customs officers at Clayton kept the steamer Thousand Islander waiting so long one night that a lady fainted in the crowd which stood at the gangway awaiting landing. The other night the steamer America had another long wait at Clayton because the custom's officer was not on hand.

Then on Saturday afternoon the steamer America had to wait nearly half an hour at Alexandria Bay upon the convenience of the immigration officer, who should have been at his post of duty. The passengers, nearly all Americans, stood in the gangway passage till they were tired, while the America's whistle sounded blasts of distress every few minutes. The passengers were indignant at the negligence of officials who are paid to attend to their duty but who do not, and a complaint will be made to United States Consul Johnson, at Kingston, in the hope that the authorities at Washington will get after the fellows at the island resorts and make them serve the public better.

At Kingston no steamer ever has to wait the arrival of a customs or immigration officer, for these are always on the spot awaiting the boats and attending to duty.

p.7 Incidents of the Day - The connecting rod of the shaft of the steamer Britannic, which broke Friday morning, has been sent to Montreal for repairs. It may be necessary to tow the Britannic there from Brockville.

The will of the late Thomas Sharman, boat builder of this city, has been entered for probate in the surrogate court. He leaves an estate valued at $5,000 to his brother, sisters, nephews and nieces.

Won Two Trophies - By winning the race at the Yacht Club on Saturday afternoon, the Chiriya, owned by Dalton brothers, captured the second trophy this year. It was the McKay-Polson silverware in that race, and a couple of weeks ago carried away the Bruce Carruthers trophy. It has won the four races it has entered.

p.8 Season Is Better - James Carruthers, president of the R. & O. navigation lines, says business is better on all divisions than a year ago.