Amboy (Barge), 23 Mar 1899

      Mr. W.A. Rogers of Rogers, Brown & Co., who control the Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co., Iroquois furnaces and other iron manufacturing properties, is still engaged in getting together a fleet of light-draught, wooden vessels that will be suited to the Tonawanda ore trade. He will purchase probably eight or ten from a list of about forty which he has under consideration. Thus far he has purchased. subject to inspection the steamers GRATWICK, QUITO, VERONICA, SPENCER and SWAIN, and the barge AMBOY, as well as the whaleback barge 101, the first of the McDougall type of barges, and the SPENCER's consort the PENNINGTON. It is understood that Vanderbilt interests, represented by a firm of Buffalo brokers, are trying to secure a few. package freight boats of Welland canal size that would be suited to Ogdensburg trade. Small package freight boats are also wanted in several other lines. and the vessel men who have kept wooden steamers of medium size in good condition now find that kind of vessel property worth double what it would sell for a year ago.
      The Marine Review
      March 23, 1899

      Although the work of inspecting vessels for the Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co. was begun only a few days ago, and there is nothing positive yet as to what ships will be taken, it is more than probable that when Mr. Rogers concludes his purchases the list will include the steamers QUITO, GRATWICK, VERONICA, VOLUNTEER, V. SWAIN and SPENCER, and barges PENNINGTON, AMBOY and 101.
      The Marine Review
      March 30, 1899

      The Tonawanda Iron & Steel Co., Tonawanda, N Y. is still figuring on the purchase of two wooden steamers although it was said, a few days ago, that their purchases for this year were at an end. The vessels which they have already secured are the WILLIAM H. GRATWICK, purchased from Mitchell & Co. and which will tow the MORAVIA. purchased from Hawgood & Avery steamer GEORGE SPENCER which will tow the B.L. PENNINGTON. both purchased from B.L. Pennington and others of Cleveland, steamer VERONICA, which will tow the AMBOY, both purchased from the Milwaukee Tug Boat Co.; steamer QUITO purchased from J.C. Gilchrist, which will tow the whaleback barge No. 101, purchased from the American Steel Barge Co.
      The Marine Review
      April 13, 1899