CANFIELD TUG LINES |
Has an invested capital of $75,000, and is owned three-fourths by Mr. A.O. WHEELER, and one-fourth by Capt. GNEWUCH. The line comprises seven powerful tugs, viz: The C. Williams, Irma L. Wheeler, Frank Canfield, J.C. Osgood, Charles Gnewuch, Hunter Savidge, and D. Cutler, Jr., and in connection with these, one Holly rotary wrecking pump, and one Worthington, besides lifting screws, lighters and all the latest improved wrecking appliances. The line has been in existence fifteen years. Starting in 1866, with the tug Savidge, three new tugs were added the same season, and under the efficient management of Mr. WHEELER, the line has enjoyed only successive seasons of prosperity. One particularly mentionable fact, and one that speaks highly for the efficiency of the masters of the tugs, is the immunity of the line from accidents and disasters. Not a tug has been lost, or damaged by collision, and not a boiler explosion has occurred during all these years. The only misfortune of the character was the recent burning of the upper works of the Frank Canfield, necessitating the expenditure of some $2,000 for repairs. Of the three men lost, belonging to the tugs, during the fifteen years, only one can properly be accredited to having met his death from his vocation - Capt. TAGGART, of the Edwards, in 1875, who was killed by the tug striking a pier. WINCKLER, the man recently lost, seems to have tumbled overboard while asleep, rising and beginning to walk along the deck near the rail before being fully awake. The other was George KIRWIN, who was seized with a fit, one 4th of July, some years ago, and losing control of himself, fell overboard and was drowned. This excellent showing as to the efficiency of the men handling the tugs indicates shrewd judgment on the part of mr. WHEELER in the selection of his men. It is, however, only the same sound judgment he has shown at all times in working his way up from a poor boy, wholly unassisted,, to the rank of a leading citizen of Manistee - foremost in all public movements looking to the building up of the city and to its permanent prosperity. Business in the tugging line, although still fair, has been somewhat supplanted of late years by the increased number of steam barges or propellers. Of the seven tugs of this line five are employed on the river, and occasionally let for excursions, or despatched on wrecking expeditions, while the Williams and Wheeler are kept busy towing scows of limestone hither from Mud Bay, and scows of building stone from Sturgeon Bay, Wis., there being no stone of either kind on the shore of this lake. |
DEMPSEY TUG LINE |
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