TAKEN FROM "AL G. BARNES" BOOK ON DEATH OF HIS FATHER, THOMAS STONEHOUSE:

"My father had a contract for building some bridges across the river at the end of Lake Superior and was one day engaged in transporting a scow load of logs for that purpose. A small tug was towing the scow. The weather turned bad and in the rough seas the tugs' engines broke a shaft, leaving the crew helpless, adrift on the lake. My father helped those ashore that could not swim, making several trips back and forth from the tug. The exertion was so great that as he reached the shore in the last trip, he fell dead from the strain."

DETROIT FREE PRESS, OCTOBER 13, 1882

TERRIBLE DISASTER

The Little Steamer Grace Lost and Two Persons Drowned

Yesterday a report was brought from Whitefish Point by a passing tug to the effect that the little steamer Grace had been lost and several persons drowned. The report was hardly credited, as it was known she had gone to Goulais Bay. This afternoon the Ste. Marie came into the canal with flag at half-mast, which at once confirmed the report.

The Grace left here Thursday morning to take some men and tools to Goulais Bay. It seems that a short distance from Gros Cap the engine gave way, leaving the little boat and a small scow she was towing at the mercy of the waves. She drifted from there to about two or three miles th is side of Whitefish Point, some twenty-five miles, where she went ashore early yesterday morning. One man, Robert Holmes, was drowned in attempting to reach the shore, and Thomas S. Stonehouse dropped dead, probably from exposure or over exertion, soon after reaching land. There were about half a dozen other persons on board, who were saved. Mr. Stonehouse was one of our oldest and most respected citizens.

The boat belonged to the engineer, Ed. Currier, who purchased her a short time since. She was not in condition to go in any waters where there was a sea. The late hour at which the news was received prevents giving further particulars. - (Chippewa County News, Sault Ste. Marie)

*This article was received from David Swayze, coordinator of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Database on the World Wide Web).