SS R.G. Stewart facts for kids
The R.G. Stewart with several passengers
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Quick facts for kids History |
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| Name | R.G. Stewart |
| Owner | Cornelius "Con" Flynn |
| Operator | Captain Cornelius "Con" Flynn |
| Port of registry |  United States |
| Launched | 1878 |
| Fate | Shipwrecked near Michigan Island |
| Status | Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Packet steamer |
| Tonnage | 197 gross tonnage |
| Length | 100 feet (30 m) long, 23 feet (7 m) wide |
| Notes | Built in Buffalo, New York, in 1878 |
The R.G. Stewart was a type of boat called a steamer. It was used to carry both people and goods, like a delivery service on water. This boat had a sad end on June 4, 1899. It caught fire and sank in Lake Superior, near Michigan Island. Today, the spot where the R.G. Stewart rests underwater is important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, which means it's a special historical site.
Contents
The Story of the R.G. Stewart Steamer
The R.G. Stewart was built in 1878 in a city called Buffalo, New York. At first, it worked as a ferry boat, carrying people across the Niagara River.
Moving to Lake Superior
In 1882, the ship moved to Duluth, Minnesota. A few years later, in 1894, a man named Captain Cornelius "Con" Flynn bought it. Captain Flynn used the R.G. Stewart to transport passengers and cargo. He sailed it to many different ports along the southern shore of Lake Superior. For several years, his business was very successful.
The Final Voyage in 1899
On Saturday, June 3, 1899, Captain Flynn left Hancock, Michigan. He had three passengers and his crew with him. The ship was also carrying some live cattle. After stopping in Ontonagon, Michigan, the R.G. Stewart was heading home to Duluth.
Lost in the Fog
A thick fog began to form, making it very hard to see. At 11:00 pm, because of the poor visibility, the ship suddenly hit the ground near Michigan Island. The crew tried hard to get the ship free, but they couldn't. They decided to wait until morning to figure out what to do next.
Fire on Board
The next morning, the crew looked for other boats that could help, but none were in sight. Captain Flynn decided to try and free the ship himself. He started the engines and pushed them very hard, hoping to back the boat off the shallow spot.
Unfortunately, this caused the ship's boilers to get too hot, and the R.G. Stewart caught fire. As the whole ship was burning badly, the cattle were pushed overboard to save them. Luckily, the cattle were able to swim safely to shore.
Escape and Rescue
Several crew members and passengers used the lifeboat to escape. Others swam to shore. Everyone survived the fire, except for one crew member, George McKenna, who sadly did not make it.
The eleven survivors were found by the keeper of the Michigan Island Light. He gave them food and a place to stay for the night. The next morning, he took them to the mainland in his boat.
