Evening journal., 1898-01-01
WY oLD-TIME BOATS FOUNDER
Many Vessels Have Gone Down Bc-
cause OF Overlooking.

VFtf OLD- iMC DOA = FOQNOEh
Many Vessels Have Gone Down Bc-
cause OF Overlooking.
Government work in deepening the
shannels between the great lakes IS
proving the Indirect cause this fall of
neavy loss among vessels which were
built when the limit Of draught was not
much over 10 feet. Since boats drawing
% feet and over may 60 from one end
pf the upper lakes to the other, the
temptation to overload the old-timers
is in many instances too strong to be
overcome. A few more tons are put
on each trip until at last their decks
are nearly awash in smooth water.
Caught out in a gale it is only luck that
gets them safely through.
Many years ago, when the limit Of
draught in the Welland canal was 12
feet, large numbers of schooners were
built for that trade, and became known
as "canal schooners." Then the Ca
madam government added two feet to
The draught in the Welland canal, and
the boats added that much to their car
goes. Perfectly seaworthy when draw
ing 10 feet, these boats became floating
collins when loaded down to IA feet.
Over a score of them foundered and car
.ied their crews down with them.
Probably half the canal schooners were
lost through overlooking.
The same experience seems likely to
befall many of the vessels which were
built when the waterways were not as
deep as they now are. Already this
fall four have gone-the steamer T.. b.
Hale and the schooners Antelope, II. A.
Kent and Kate Winslow. The last went
down at the foot of Lake Michigan in
a recent southwest gale. Owing to the
high insurance rates on this class Of
vessels this season only the Winslow
was insured.
Marine men say the most reckless
overloaders are those who sail their own
boats One would think that when a
man puts his own life in pawn for a
lew extra dollars in the freight he is
ready to receive he would be somewhat
careful as to the seaworthy condition
of his boat when he sails out Of port
IN October with the storm signals fly
ing. Yet marine men say he win take
chances that fairly make their hair
stand on end. Vessel owners, in many
Instances, also have difficulty in maxi
ng their captains keep within the line
1f prudence in the amount Of cargo
taken on board. Men are so anxious to
make a good record that they viii risl,
their own lives and those of the crew
by loading their boats down to point
where their safety is jeopardized.
The size OF some of the cargoes car,
lied by old-time vessels since deeper
water came has been quite out Of pro
portion to the ratio which ought C
prevail between government measure
ment and cargo capacity. All but fou
Of this class have reached the end o
their voyage. There are still, however
six weeks when heavy gales are due al
most any time, and underwriters fear
the list will be greatly heightened be
fore the time comes for return TO win
ter quarters
Unlike the canal schooners, the IS
foot boats are not carrying down thei
crews with them. AS yet not life ha.
been lost. This is largely due to thu
fact that these boats are now being gen
orally tcwed instead of sailingby them
selves, and there is help within reacl
when the time of trouble comes.-Chi
cago Chronicle.