1871—Built in Cleveland, Ohio
1905—Owned Stephen Jones, Chicago gambling syndicate; used as floating poolroom1 offshore Chicago with wireless to transmit racing returns.
1907—Purchased by Graham & Morton, Chicago
1909—Collided with Wells Street Bridge, reduced to package freighter
1912—Dismantled in St. Joseph, Michigan, made floating dry dock
City of Traverse
The first ship in American history devoted entirely to gambling.
Chicago Tribune, June 2, 1905
Track News to Be Transmitted by Wireless Telegraphy.
Definite announcement regarding a floating poolroom on Lake Michigan was given out yesterday. The old steamer City of Traverse (US No. 5928), which ran for many years to Lake Superior, has been purchased by Capt. Stephen Jones, and after it has been overhauled it will make daily, trips out into the lake carrying those who want to bet on the races, the returns of which, it is claimed, will be received by wireless telegraphy.
The boat will proceed out into the lake to the three mile limit before the gambling operations begin, the authority of the state and city giving way to federal authority at that point. A dock has been secured in one of the Illinois Central slips, near the mouth of the river, so that the floating poolroom will not need to come through any of the city bridges.
The promoters seem to think they will avoid legal interference and expect to secure a good trade, for, while handbooks are running more numerously and openly now in Chicago than they have for several years, the latter in many instances do not post the betting.2
Chicago Tribune, June 22, 1905
The steamer City of Traverse left its moorings in the river at Paulina street yesterday afternoon and headed for the harbor. During an hour and a half the vessel lay idle two miles east of the Harrison street crib. The appearance of the City of Traverse was a surprise to river men. They had heard the boat was to be fitted up for a floating gambling palace.
The craft was newly painted and strung from the masts were wires high in the air. These connected two cross arms and to river men signified that the vessel was fitted with wireless telegraphy. Mysterious cables fell over the sides and disappeared into the water.
The City of Traverse was as closely watched at its berth as if it had been made of gold and carried a cargo of diamonds. None except a favored few was allowed to get within hailing distance of it, and no gangway was down to admit passengers. On the decks were a few men. The tug boat Tom Brown (US No. 24893) hauled the vessel to open water.
Few men were seen aboard of the City of Traverse even after it left the breakwater, but when it returned to the harbor and tied up at the Illinois Central elevator forty men made their way to the dock and disappeared. One was said to resemble James O’Leary, the stockyards gambling king.
O’Leary was not at his saloon in Halsted street during the afternoon, and his bartender didn’t know where he was.
Inter Ocean, June 30, 1905
Circling slowly around the lake more than ten miles from the shores of Illinois, Indiana, or Michigan. the steamer City of Traverse, the new $30,000 floating poolroom, spent yesterday afternoon on its initial run. Meanwhile the wireless instruments3 clicked off the results from three race tracks and the work of hand book making went on.
The boat was sailing around a point eighteen and one-half miles from. both the Illinois and Michigan shores and ten miles from the Indiana shore. As the dollars began to clink in the coffers of the bookmakers Admiral “Bud” White waxed jubilant.
Admiral Waxes Jubilant.
“I guess this will hold them for a while,” he declared. “It certainly will puzzle Schuettler some to know where the Traverse is. And that is not all. You know there are three sending stations in Chicago, and it might possibly be that we are getting messages from them all.”
While the cry of “Beer, whisky, and cigars” was heard almost incessantly, the owners of the boat declared that three rules which they thought were necessary would be strictly enforced. The rules are:
- No women will be allowed on board;
No man will be allowed to board the vessel while drunk;
And any man getting drunk on board can get no more liquor.
On board the boat, as invited guests of the management, were two detectives from the gambling squad, who went along, as they expressed it, to “see what was doing.”
City Detectives-Accompany Boats.
Promptly at 12:40 p.m. the Traverse left the Illinois Central A slip. She sailed southeast twenty-two miles. Arriving at a point midway between the shores of Illinois and Michigan, and ten miles from the Indiana shore, slow speed was put on and the vessel began to circle around. Off came the lid. The bar was opened, the bookmakers mounted their stools, and the betting was started. The tracks from which returns came were Latonia, Buffalo, and Sheepshead Bay.
Gambling Steamer City of Traverse as It Left the Dock, and the Crowd Watching Its Departure.
Betting Continues Three Hours.
For more than three hours the. betting continued, and it was 6:40 p.m. when the vessel tied up in Chicago.
In spite ot the assertions of the gamblers that they have succeeded in evading the law and cannot he molested, Chief of Police O’Neill yesterday issued orders that the gambling must be stopped. Assistant Chiet Srbuettler declares that he will find a way to put a quietus on the gambling.
Another Boat May Start.
it was declared on the boat yesterday that Jim O’Leary, with whom, the persons owning the Traverse are said to have broken, is arranging, to run an opposition boat. The Traverse owners declare this will be impossible, as tbey have so arranged matters that he cannot secure wireless communication.
When the boat started its return journey all, of the matter pertaining to to the betting was taken to the engine-room and burned. The detectives who accompanied the boat declared that nothing had happened which would enable them to make any arrests, but that they would report to Assistant Chief Schuettler, and let him devise ways and means to obtain proof.
It is thought that the police will attempt to find the place from which the messages are sent’ from Chicago, and make arrests there. The gamblers laugh at this, as they say that there are three-sending stations.
Chicago Tribune, July 4, 1905
“We are pulled.”
This terse wireless message received by gamblers aboard the City of Traverse yesterday afternoon startled the followers of the races. For more than an hour no other message came and the bulletin from Chicago was taken to mean that the police had raided the plant of the American Forest Wireless Telegraph company and put the instruments “out of business.”
Such proved to be the fact. The City of Traverse will make no more trips until the matter can be taken up in the United States court where an injunction will be sought by the De Forest company.
The raid was made early in the afternoon. Detectives from Assistant Chief Schuettler’s detail went to the office of the De Forest concern in the Railway Exchange building and warrants on William H. Ocker, general manager, and Edward Brandon and Edward O’Brien, operators. Detective Bretternitz cut the wires and tore out the instruments and took them to the police station. Ocker and his operators were taken to the Harrison street police court, where they were released on bonds for their appearance Wednesday morning.
Anxiety on the Boat.
The throng on the boat in the meantime was in the dark as to what was taking place on shore. After the service had been tested in vain for half an hour the boat was started for the harbor.
Then there was a temporary resumption of service coming apparently from some other De Forest station. This lasted but a short time, and again the City of Traverse was headed for Chicago at full speed. Visions of of patrol wagons and a horde of policemen at the dock began to worry the anxious bettors. Then the tip went out that there was nothing to fear. If the boat returned to Chicago and found the police in sight it could go to some other port on the lake and land its passengers.
Landing Made in Safety.
When the steamer neared the Illinois Central slip the passengers anxiously crowded and scanned the dock. The absence of patrol wagons was a relief. But they feared a coup, and before the first hawser was out some of the passengers risked a dip in the river and jumped for the dock.
“Bud” White, one of the principal owners the enterprise, was among first to leave the craft. He said the craft would not make any more trips until the De Forest company had taken its case to court.
“In answer to our demand on the company to fulfill its contract with us,” White said later, “we have received this reply:
“‘Pending application of our counsel, J. Hamilton Lewis, to the United States court to restrain the authorities from interference with our functions as a common carrier in the transmission of news we will suspend service temporarily. Application will be made to court at once.'”
Done Under Ticker Ordinance.
The warrants served on the De Forest people charged violation of the ticker ordinance. Assistant Chief Schuettler said that a more serious charge might be made later.
“I will have these cases continued.” said he, “and in the meantime confer with State’s Attorney Healy. It is possible I will go further. Of course we have sufficient evidence to the action we have taken.”
Inter Ocean, August 5, 1905
The City of Traverse, the flagship of the Smith-Perry-White syndicate of nautical gamblers, has abandoned Illinois waters as a result of the strict embargo placed upon the steamer Eagle (US No. 85272) and the fleet of launches depended upon to supply her with patrons by Inspector Nicholas Hunt and fifty policemen at South Chicago yesterday.
The new field of the boat will be in Wisconsin waters, in the vicinity of the state line. Captain Stephen Jones appeared at the barge office last night and took out clearance papers for Kenosha.
Tests have demonstrated that the wireless apparatus will work as well at that point as from Chicago. Trains will be run to some point near the state line and the passengers will be carried to the City of Traverse in small steamers, according to well informed sporting men.
Hunt Claims a Victory.
Inspector Hunt considered the announcement to be a flat admission of defeat and a tribute to the prowess of the deep sea going policemen who waged battle in boats on Thursday. The gamblers said the situation here had grown embarrassing, owing to the “discourtesy” shown by the police. The big floating poolroom was untenanted save by its crew all day yesterday, but was reported to coaling up and preparing to get under way last night.
The big boat left for Randolph street at 3 o’clock yesterday, just after the embargo was raised on the Eagle. The Eagle transferred Captain Stephen Jones of the Traverse from shore to his ship, and then steamed north in the wake of the larger craft. Believing some coup was in progress of execution, a fleet of launches containing disappointed “sports” and others followed the Eagle until she joined the Traverse, but there was “nothing doing.”
“I won’t have a crowd of gamblers embarking from these docks,” declared Inspector Hunt. “I will arrest any one trying to reach the City of Traverse on any of these smaller boats, and charge them with disorderly conduct.”
Several amusing incidents occurred while the Eagle was at her dock in the Calumet river yesterday.
Twenty-five well dressed men carrying fishing rods walked briskly to the gang plank. From their pocket projected “dope sheets’ and racing charts.
Boat Coaling Off North Shore.
“We are gotng fishing. explained on of the men.
“Not on this boat,” responded a policeman.
“Oh. yes, but are,” said the merry member of the “fishing” party.
“Get out of here, youse,” roared the policeman.
The men fled to the Illinois Central station and warned other “fishermen.” Most of them returned to Chicago.
While the police were busy keeping the Eagle and a fleet of launches from taking on passengers, the gambler were busy discussing injunction proceedings, punishment for violation of government navigation laws, and other legal methods of “getting back” at the police.
The owners of the Eagle will in all probability apply to the Circuit court for an injunction restraining the city from interfering with the boat’s passengers.
Discusses Legal Phases.
“Our attorney, ex-Judge Elbridge Hanecy, will do nothing in the matter until we learn what disposition is made of the cases of the men arrested Thursday,” said B. R. Hyman yesterday.
“There is no doubt that the police have exhibited remarkable ignorance and have violated United States laws. The boat will not run until after Monday. Before we get through we shall do business, and lots of it.”
The legal phases of the matter caused some disquiet in th city hall. James Hamilton Lewis, corporation counsel, was asked for a legal opinion on the rights of the police by Chief Collins.
“I most heartily regret, sir, that I am in honor bound not to assist you,” said Colonel Lewis, with a moist eye and a courtly bow.
Colonel Lewis Refuses Advice.
“You see, sir, I had the honor, before occupying my present office, to be counsellor at law for a number of the gentlemen, particularly of the Forest Wireless Telegraph company, with whom you have differences. I am the man who gave them advice on what to do in contingencies like the present one.
“I am in honor bound not to take a hand in defeating the purposes of advice which I gave myself. I would suggest that you consult former Corporation Counsel Tolman.”
Major Tolman was found to out of the city. Assistant Corporation Counsel Beckwith was also out of the city.
The chief conferred with Assistant Corporation Counsel Sexton regarding cases which will come up next Monday.
Collector of Customs Wm. Penn Nixon believes the police are clearly within their rights in preventing passengers from going on board the Eagle. He said the only recourse of the boat company lay in an appeal to state courts.
“If the police believe a body of people has assembled for an unlawful expedition they have a perfect right to prevent them from going on the trip which has been planned as a prelude to law breaking,” said Collector Nixon.
City May Pay Fine.
Th question has arisen in the minds of marine men to whether the city fire boat Yosemite US No. 200604, which carried a load of policemen into the lake in a wild chase after the poolroom ship, has acted in violation of the United States inspection rule, and whether the municipal craft is not subject to the customary fine of $500.
Collector of Customs Nixon said he had received no official report of the incident and he would not commit himself as to what action will be taken.
Th revised rules of the government are strict on the point of carrying passengers on freight boats where provision is not made for their safety in case of accident. Th clause “not for hire” excuses none If the boat carries more than its crew allowance without a life preserver and other equipment essential for the use of each person over the number specified in its certificate of license..
City of Traverse
Gambling Deck
1906
Inter Ocean, June 20, 1906
FLOATING POOLROOM READY.
Steamer City of Traverse to Make First “Public Cruise” Today.
From present. indications the steamship City of Traverse, owned by a coterie of Chicago gamblers, will make its first “public cruise” tomorrow. Men employed on the boat, it was learned yesterday, have received orders to that effect.
Yesterday afternoon the boat left its dock at the foot of South Water street for a test trip, and returned a short time after 5 o’clock. The boat went into Indiana waters where the wireless instruments were tested, Results are said to have been received from races and the instruments worked perfectly. Chief of Police John M. Collins has detailed Detective Sergeant William Schubert to watch the movements of the ship. Where the boat will sail from tomorrow has not yet been ascertained.
Chicago Tribune, July 11, 1907
The City of Traverse is a gambling ship no more. Official record of its license has been blotted from the records in the United States internal revenue office, and should Capt. Steve Jones attempt to steam with her out of the Ninety-fifth street harbor he would be liable to a fine of $500 for each day, and the same penalty would be incurred by a licensed marine engineer or first mate who assisted him.
This drastic action was taken yesterday on advice of Lawrence O. Murray, assistant secretary of the department of commerce and labor, who came from Washington to invegtigate the City of Traverse matter. Capt. Jones, who is supposed to be at some watering place in Indiana, had been ordered to report to Deputy Collector Hite today. He failed to do so, and although he still retains his license it is worthless.
Action Establishes Precedent.
The revocation of the City of Traverse’s license establishes a precedent in the marine jurisdiction of the United States. Assistant Secretary Murray holds that gambling can under no construction be considered coasting trade. The City of Traverse is licensed to engage in the coasting trade, and having engaged in something else its owner must forfeit his ship license. Heretofore, when the government has been called on to rule on similar matters, it has been heid that if the proper precautions as to safety were observed the federal government could not take action.
Assistant Superintendent Murray was accompanied here by George B. Uhler, Inspector general of the steamship inspection service.
Investigate Excursion Boats.
The overcrowding of excursion boats will be one of the matters to which Mr. Murray will pay considerable attention.
“So far this year there have been no complaints as to this,” he said yesterday, “but I understand that many of the boats were greatly overcrowded last year. Under a new ruling of the department of justice, however, the customs department is obligated to count the passengers, and this additional safeguard should be effective.”
NOTES:
1 A “poolroom” was a place where gamblers pooled their money on bets.
2 In April, 1904 Jim O’Leary made a deal with Chicago Mayor, Carter Harrison, Jr., to let gamblers go unmolested.
3 In 1905, telegraph signals were mostly sent over wires. Sending signals wirelessly to a boat was a technology still in its infancy. Chicago’s first tests of sending wireless signals to a tug two miles into the lake was performed using Marconi’s equipment on April 23, 1899, to the tug boat Protection.
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