The O.W. CHENEY was a tugboat (towboat) built in 1881 by the Union Dry Dock Co. in Buffalo, New York. It was constructed using wood as the primary hull material and had a single deck. The vessel had a length of 66 feet, a beam of 16 feet, and a depth of 9.8 feet. With a gross tonnage of 46 and a net tonnage of 24, it was a relatively small vessel.
The O.W. CHENEY was powered by a high-pressure screw propulsion system. It featured a 350 horsepower engine manufactured by Sutton Brothers of Buffalo, New York, measuring 18.5″ x 17″ and operating at 115rpm. The tugboat was equipped with a 6′ 6″ x 12′ firebox boiler producing 100 pounds of steam, built by M. Riter Co. of Buffalo, NY.
Throughout its history, the O.W. CHENEY underwent several changes in ownership. Initially owned by Thomas Maytham of Buffalo, New York, it was later owned by L. P. Mason of East Saginaw, Michigan, and then Charles L. Thompson. The vessel was chartered in Duluth, Minnesota, while the record was unavailable. In 1889, it was purchased by Captain B. B. Inman for $6,500 and enrolled in Duluth under his ownership.
Unfortunately, the O.W. CHENEY’s maritime journey came to an end on August 24, 1894, when it sank in 16 feet of water near Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The sinking was caused by a collision with the steamer FAYETTE. After its sinking, the O.W. Cheney was ultimately dismantled in 1908.
