Other Names
- R.J. CARNEY
- CARNEY
History
The RICHARD J. CARNEY, also known as R.J. CARNEY, was a wooden two-masted schooner-barge. The vessel was built in 1873 by Gibson & Craig in Buffalo, New York, according to official records, although news clippings from Saginaw in 1871 describe its launch there. It is possible that the hull was constructed in Saginaw and finished in Buffalo. The CARNEY had the following specifications: 150 feet in length, 30.6 feet in beam, and 10.6 feet in depth. It had a gross tonnage of 397 tons and a net tonnage of 377 tons.
Throughout its history, ownership of the CARNEY changed hands multiple times. Prior to 1887, it was owned by James Davidson of Bay City, Michigan. In April 1887, ownership transferred to John Maxwell of Washburn, Wisconsin. The vessel was used to transport lumber to Chicago, Illinois, towed by the steamer ONEIDA. On April 1, 1889, it was enrolled in Port Huron, Michigan, under the ownership of W.V. Penoyan. However, on May 31, 1889, the CARNEY foundered in Lake St. Clair.
On September 28, 1895, the RICHARD J. CARNEY was wrecked near Shelldrake, Michigan, in Whitefish Bay on Lake Superior. The vessel had been loading lumber at the Shelldrake dock when it was caught in a storm and driven ashore. The CARNEY was stranded and pounded to pieces. Fortunately, there were no reported losses of life associated with the incident. The vessel was owned by W.V. Penoyan at the time.
The CARNEY’s tow steamer, the NELLIE TORRENT, was also driven ashore in the same incident. Both crews were reported safe. The wrecking of the CARNEY was reported in various newspapers, including the Port Huron Daily Times and the Buffalo Evening News.
On December 30, 1895, the enrollment of the RICHARD J. CARNEY was surrendered at Port Huron, Michigan.
