diff --git a/doc/doxygen/demo1.cpp b/doc/doxygen/demo1.cpp
index 24e5f9b37..814290b2d 100644
--- a/doc/doxygen/demo1.cpp
+++ b/doc/doxygen/demo1.cpp
@@ -98,11 +98,10 @@ void demoprog()
 
 int main()
 {
-
     try {
         demoprog();
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(std::cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/doc/doxygen/demo1a.cpp b/doc/doxygen/demo1a.cpp
index a67ef08a9..d8f0a6ae6 100644
--- a/doc/doxygen/demo1a.cpp
+++ b/doc/doxygen/demo1a.cpp
@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@ int main()
 
     try {
         simple_demo();
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/doc/doxygen/demoequil.cpp b/doc/doxygen/demoequil.cpp
index a10a634ab..fbb743786 100644
--- a/doc/doxygen/demoequil.cpp
+++ b/doc/doxygen/demoequil.cpp
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ int main()
 
     try {
         equil_demo();
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/doc/doxygen/edemo.cpp b/doc/doxygen/edemo.cpp
index e52042b1f..03ff41a71 100644
--- a/doc/doxygen/edemo.cpp
+++ b/doc/doxygen/edemo.cpp
@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 {
     try {
         demoprog();
-    } catch (Cantera::CanteraError) {
-        Cantera::showErrors(std::cout);
+    } catch (Cantera::CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         return 1;
     }
     return 0;
diff --git a/doc/doxygen/except.cpp b/doc/doxygen/except.cpp
index 30036e4fd..23430487b 100644
--- a/doc/doxygen/except.cpp
+++ b/doc/doxygen/except.cpp
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ int main()
 {
     try {
         mycode();
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         error("program terminating.");
     }
 }
diff --git a/doc/doxygen/thermodemo.cpp b/doc/doxygen/thermodemo.cpp
index 5a6eefaf5..ca3ed9013 100644
--- a/doc/doxygen/thermodemo.cpp
+++ b/doc/doxygen/thermodemo.cpp
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 {
     try {
         thermo_demo("h2o2.cti","ohmech");
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         return 1;
     }
     return 0;
diff --git a/include/cantera/base/ctexceptions.h b/include/cantera/base/ctexceptions.h
index e41f6274e..e83a60062 100644
--- a/include/cantera/base/ctexceptions.h
+++ b/include/cantera/base/ctexceptions.h
@@ -54,7 +54,6 @@ namespace Cantera
  *  where the error occurred. These functions may be eliminated from
  *  the source code, if the -DNDEBUG option is specified to the
  *  compiler.
- *
  */
 
 
@@ -84,21 +83,41 @@ public:
     //! Destructor for base class does nothing
     virtual ~CanteraError() throw() {};
 
+    //! Get a description of the error
+    const char* what() const throw();
+
+    //! Function to put this error onto Cantera's error stack
+    void save();
+
+    //! Method overridden by derived classes to formatted the error message
+    virtual std::string getMessage() const;
+
+    //! Method overridden by derived classes to indicate their type
+    virtual std::string getClass() const { return "CanteraError"; }
+
 protected:
-    //! Empty base constructor is made protected so that it may be used only by
-    //! inherited classes.
-    /*!
-     *  We want to discourage throwing an error containing no information.
-     */
-    CanteraError() {};
+    //! Protected default constructor discourages throwing errors containing no information.
+    CanteraError() : saved_(false) {};
+
+    //! Constructor used by derived classes that override getMessage()
+    CanteraError(std::string procedure);
+
+    //! The name of the procedure where the exception occurred
+    std::string procedure_;
+
+private:
+    std::string msg_; //!< Message associated with the exception
+    mutable std::string formattedMessage_; //!< Formatted message returned by what()
+    bool saved_; //!< Exception has already been saved to Cantera's error stack
 };
 
+
 //! Array size error.
 /*!
  *  This error is thrown if a supplied length to a vector supplied
  *  to Cantera is too small.
  *
- * @ingroup errorhandling
+ *  @ingroup errorhandling
  */
 class ArraySizeError : public CanteraError
 {
@@ -113,13 +132,20 @@ public:
      * @param sz   This is the length supplied to Cantera.
      * @param reqd This is the required length needed by Cantera
      */
-    ArraySizeError(std::string procedure, size_t sz, size_t reqd);
+    ArraySizeError(std::string procedure, size_t sz, size_t reqd) :
+        CanteraError(procedure), sz_(sz), reqd_(reqd) {}
+
+    virtual std::string getMessage() const;
+    virtual std::string getClass() const { return "ArraySizeError"; }
+
+private:
+    size_t sz_, reqd_;
 };
 
+
 //! An element index is out of range.
 /*!
- *
- * @ingroup errorhandling
+ *  @ingroup errorhandling
  */
 class ElementRangeError : public CanteraError
 {
@@ -134,9 +160,16 @@ public:
      * @param mmax This is the maximum allowed value of the index. The
      *             minimum allowed value is assumed to be 0.
      */
-    ElementRangeError(std::string func, size_t m, size_t mmax);
+    ElementRangeError(std::string func, size_t m, size_t mmax) :
+        CanteraError(func), m_(m), mmax_(mmax) {}
+    virtual std::string getMessage() const;
+    virtual std::string getClass() const { return "ElementRangeError"; }
+
+private:
+    size_t m_, mmax_;
 };
 
+
 //! Print a warning when a deprecated method is called.
 /*!
  * These methods are slated to go away in future releases of Cantera.
diff --git a/samples/cxx/NASA_coeffs/NASA_coeffs.cpp b/samples/cxx/NASA_coeffs/NASA_coeffs.cpp
index 6440c6329..9a608f250 100644
--- a/samples/cxx/NASA_coeffs/NASA_coeffs.cpp
+++ b/samples/cxx/NASA_coeffs/NASA_coeffs.cpp
@@ -96,8 +96,8 @@ int main()
 
     try {
         demoprog();
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/samples/cxx/bvp/AxiStagnBVP.h b/samples/cxx/bvp/AxiStagnBVP.h
index 5ad0a7dd2..a19cb8e09 100644
--- a/samples/cxx/bvp/AxiStagnBVP.h
+++ b/samples/cxx/bvp/AxiStagnBVP.h
@@ -132,8 +132,8 @@ int main()
         // write the solution to a CSV file.
         eqs.writeCSV();
         return 0;
-    } catch (Cantera::CanteraError) {
-        Cantera::showErrors(std::cerr);
+    } catch (Cantera::CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
         return -1;
     }
 }
diff --git a/samples/cxx/bvp/blasius.cpp b/samples/cxx/bvp/blasius.cpp
index fd7a06c73..2b2133458 100644
--- a/samples/cxx/bvp/blasius.cpp
+++ b/samples/cxx/bvp/blasius.cpp
@@ -120,8 +120,8 @@ int main()
         // write the solution to a CSV file.
         eqs.writeCSV();
         return 0;
-    } catch (Cantera::CanteraError) {
-        Cantera::showErrors(std::cerr);
+    } catch (Cantera::CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
         return -1;
     }
 }
diff --git a/samples/cxx/combustor/combustor.cpp b/samples/cxx/combustor/combustor.cpp
index 5aa62897f..c36a2f646 100644
--- a/samples/cxx/combustor/combustor.cpp
+++ b/samples/cxx/combustor/combustor.cpp
@@ -130,8 +130,8 @@ int main()
         return 0;
     }
     // handle exceptions thrown by Cantera
-    catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(std::cout);
+    catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         std::cout << " terminating... " << std::endl;
         appdelete();
         return 1;
diff --git a/samples/cxx/demo.cpp b/samples/cxx/demo.cpp
index eb79e7af6..f9f5b0092 100644
--- a/samples/cxx/demo.cpp
+++ b/samples/cxx/demo.cpp
@@ -119,8 +119,8 @@ int main()
 
     try {
         demoprog();
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(std::cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/samples/cxx/flamespeed/flamespeed.cpp b/samples/cxx/flamespeed/flamespeed.cpp
index 4404d5ca2..0528bbdea 100644
--- a/samples/cxx/flamespeed/flamespeed.cpp
+++ b/samples/cxx/flamespeed/flamespeed.cpp
@@ -65,8 +65,8 @@ int flamespeed(int np, void* p)
 
         try {
             equilibrate(gas,"HP");
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            showErrors(cout);
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         }
         double* yout=new double[nsp];
         gas.getMassFractions(yout);
@@ -260,8 +260,8 @@ int flamespeed(int np, void* p)
         fclose(FP);
 
         return 0;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(std::cerr);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
         std::cerr << "program terminating." << endl;
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/samples/cxx/kinetics1/kinetics1.cpp b/samples/cxx/kinetics1/kinetics1.cpp
index 7ec0f1e46..42eae6e5a 100644
--- a/samples/cxx/kinetics1/kinetics1.cpp
+++ b/samples/cxx/kinetics1/kinetics1.cpp
@@ -120,8 +120,8 @@ int main()
         return retn;
     }
     // handle exceptions thrown by Cantera
-    catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         cout << " terminating... " << endl;
         appdelete();
         return -1;
diff --git a/samples/cxx/rankine/rankine.cpp b/samples/cxx/rankine/rankine.cpp
index 816f472a5..a3b2b0ae6 100644
--- a/samples/cxx/rankine/rankine.cpp
+++ b/samples/cxx/rankine/rankine.cpp
@@ -86,8 +86,8 @@ int main()
 
     try {
         return openRankine(0, 0);
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         return -1;
     }
 }
diff --git a/samples/f77/demo_ftnlib.cpp b/samples/f77/demo_ftnlib.cpp
index 9f7916b27..d29ebe4fd 100644
--- a/samples/f77/demo_ftnlib.cpp
+++ b/samples/f77/demo_ftnlib.cpp
@@ -61,9 +61,9 @@ Transport* _transptr()
 #endif
 
 // error handler
-void handleError()
+void handleError(CanteraError& err)
 {
-    showErrors(std::cout);
+    std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
     exit(-1);
 }
 
@@ -96,8 +96,8 @@ extern "C" {
                 delete _gas;
             }
             _gas = new IdealGasMix(fin, fth);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
 #ifdef WITH_TRANSPORT
         try {
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ extern "C" {
                 delete _trans;
             }
             _trans = newTransportMgr(trmodel,_gas,1);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
             _trans =  newTransportMgr("",_gas,1);
         }
 #endif
@@ -146,8 +146,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             _gas->setState_TPX(*T, *P, X);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
     }
 
@@ -157,8 +157,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             _gas->setState_TPX(*T, *P, string(X, lenx));
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
     }
 
@@ -166,8 +166,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             _gas->setState_TRY(*T, *rho, Y);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
     }
 
@@ -175,8 +175,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             _gas->setState_TPY(*T, *p, Y);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
     }
 
@@ -184,8 +184,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             _gas->setState_SP(*s, *p);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
     }
 
@@ -295,8 +295,8 @@ extern "C" {
             }
             string optstr = string(opt, 2);
             equilibrate(*_gas, optstr.c_str());
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
     }
 #endif
@@ -350,8 +350,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _trans->viscosity();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return 0.0;
         }
     }
@@ -360,8 +360,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _trans->thermalConductivity();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return 0.0;
         }
     }
@@ -370,8 +370,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             _trans->getMixDiffCoeffs(diff);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
     }
 
@@ -379,8 +379,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             _trans->getThermalDiffCoeffs(dt);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
     }
 #endif
@@ -401,8 +401,8 @@ int main()
 {
     try {
         return MAIN__();
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cerr);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
         exit(-1);
     } catch (...) {
         cout << "An exception was trapped. Program terminating." << endl;
diff --git a/src/apps/cti2ctml.cpp b/src/apps/cti2ctml.cpp
index dfffecad9..13e7393dd 100644
--- a/src/apps/cti2ctml.cpp
+++ b/src/apps/cti2ctml.cpp
@@ -81,8 +81,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         //XML_Node *xd = new XML_Node();
         //xc->copy(xd);
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
     }
 
     return 0;
diff --git a/src/base/application.cpp b/src/base/application.cpp
index e0ae6155d..35bd35e16 100644
--- a/src/base/application.cpp
+++ b/src/base/application.cpp
@@ -457,30 +457,6 @@ XML_Node* Application::get_XML_File(std::string file, int debug)
 {
     XML_LOCK();
     std::string path = "";
-    /*
-    try {
-        path = findInputFile(file);
-    }
-    catch (CanteraError) {
-        string::size_type idot = file.rfind('.');
-        string ext = "";
-        if (idot != string::npos) {
-            ext = file.substr(idot, file.size());
-            string ctifile = file.substr(0,idot)+".cti";
-            try {
-                path = findInputFile(ctifile);
-            }
-            catch (CanteraError) {
-                path = findInputFile(file);
-            }
-        }
-        else
-            path = findInputFile(file);
-    }
-    */
-    // The code above will try to process a cti file if the xml
-    // file is not found. But I (dgg) don't think it makes much sense,
-    // so it is replaced by:
     path = findInputFile(file);
 #ifdef _WIN32
     // RFB: For Windows make the path POSIX compliant so code looking for directory
diff --git a/src/base/ctexceptions.cpp b/src/base/ctexceptions.cpp
index bccf493b7..21659da05 100644
--- a/src/base/ctexceptions.cpp
+++ b/src/base/ctexceptions.cpp
@@ -4,28 +4,66 @@
 #include "cantera/base/global.h"
 #include "cantera/base/stringUtils.h"
 
+#include <sstream>
+#include <typeinfo>
+
 namespace Cantera {
 
 // *** Exceptions ***
 
-CanteraError::CanteraError(std::string procedure, std::string msg)
-{
-    Application::Instance()->addError(procedure, msg);
-}
+static const char* stars = "***********************************************************************\n";
 
-ArraySizeError::ArraySizeError(std::string proc, size_t sz, size_t reqd) :
-    CanteraError(proc, "Array size ("+int2str(sz)+
-                 ") too small. Must be at least "+int2str(reqd))
+CanteraError::CanteraError(std::string procedure, std::string msg) :
+    msg_(msg),
+    procedure_(procedure),
+    saved_(false)
 {
 }
 
-
-ElementRangeError::ElementRangeError(std::string func, size_t m, size_t mmax) :
-    CanteraError(func, "Element index " + int2str(m) +
-                 " outside valid range of 0 to " + int2str(mmax-1))
+CanteraError::CanteraError(std::string procedure) :
+    procedure_(procedure),
+    saved_(false)
 {
 }
 
+void CanteraError::save()
+{
+    if (!saved_) {
+        Application::Instance()->addError(procedure_, getMessage());
+        saved_ = true;
+    }
+}
+
+const char* CanteraError::what() const throw() {
+    try {
+        formattedMessage_ = stars;
+        formattedMessage_ += getClass() + " thrown by " + procedure_ + ":\n" + getMessage();
+        if (formattedMessage_.compare(formattedMessage_.size()-1, 1, "\n")) {
+            formattedMessage_.append("\n");
+        }
+        formattedMessage_ += stars;
+    } catch (...) {
+        // Something went terribly wrong and we couldn't even format the message.
+    }
+    return formattedMessage_.c_str();
+    }
+
+std::string CanteraError::getMessage() const {
+    return msg_;
+}
+
+std::string ArraySizeError::getMessage() const {
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    ss << "Array size (" << sz_ << ") too small. Must be at least " << reqd_ << ".";
+    return ss.str();
+}
+
+std::string ElementRangeError::getMessage() const {
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    ss << "Element index " << m_ << " outside valid range of 0 to " << (mmax_-1) << ".";
+    return ss.str();
+}
+
 // *** Warnings ***
 
 void deprecatedMethod(std::string classnm, std::string oldnm, std::string newnm)
@@ -44,5 +82,4 @@ void removeAtVersion(std::string func, std::string version)
     throw CanteraError("removeAtVersion: "+ func,"procedure has been removed.");
 }
 
-
 } // namespace Cantera
diff --git a/src/clib/Cabinet.h b/src/clib/Cabinet.h
index cd754a1d9..da3701f61 100644
--- a/src/clib/Cabinet.h
+++ b/src/clib/Cabinet.h
@@ -91,7 +91,8 @@ public:
             M* old = data[i];
             data.push_back(new M(*old));
             return static_cast<int>(data.size()) - 1;
-        } catch (Cantera::CanteraError) {
+        } catch (Cantera::CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         } catch (...) {
             return -999;
@@ -110,7 +111,8 @@ public:
             M* dest = data[i];
             *dest = *src;
             return 0;
-        } catch (Cantera::CanteraError) {
+        } catch (Cantera::CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         } catch (...) {
             return -999;
diff --git a/src/clib/ct.cpp b/src/clib/ct.cpp
index b3ccaa068..7dfe84b89 100644
--- a/src/clib/ct.cpp
+++ b/src/clib/ct.cpp
@@ -49,7 +49,8 @@ static PureFluidPhase* purefluid(int n)
         } else {
             throw CanteraError("purefluid","object is not a PureFluidPhase object");
         }
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
         return 0;
     }
     return 0;
@@ -134,7 +135,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             ThermoCabinet::item(n).setTemperature(t);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -244,7 +246,8 @@ extern "C" {
             parseCompString(string(x), xx);
             p.setMoleFractionsByName(xx);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         //catch (...) {return ERR;}
@@ -278,7 +281,8 @@ extern "C" {
             parseCompString(string(y), yy);
             p.setMassFractionsByName(yy);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -333,7 +337,8 @@ extern "C" {
             copy(spnm.c_str(), spnm.c_str() + lout, nm);
             nm[lout] = '\0';
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         //catch (...) {return ERR;}
@@ -347,7 +352,8 @@ extern "C" {
             copy(elnm.c_str(), elnm.c_str() + lout, nm);
             nm[lout] = '\0';
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -357,7 +363,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return ThermoCabinet::item(n).nAtoms(k,m);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -367,7 +374,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             ThermoCabinet::item(n).addElement(string(name),weight);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -400,7 +408,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XML_Node& x = XmlCabinet::item(mxml);
             thermo_t* th = newPhase(x);
             return ThermoCabinet::add(th);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -419,7 +428,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return ThermoCabinet::item(n).enthalpy_mole();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -428,7 +438,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return ThermoCabinet::item(n).intEnergy_mole();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -437,7 +448,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return ThermoCabinet::item(n).entropy_mole();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -446,7 +458,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return ThermoCabinet::item(n).gibbs_mole();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -455,7 +468,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return ThermoCabinet::item(n).cp_mole();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -464,7 +478,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return ThermoCabinet::item(n).cv_mole();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -473,7 +488,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return ThermoCabinet::item(n).pressure();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -482,7 +498,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return ThermoCabinet::item(n).enthalpy_mass();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -491,7 +508,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return ThermoCabinet::item(n).intEnergy_mass();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -500,7 +518,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return ThermoCabinet::item(n).entropy_mass();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -509,7 +528,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return ThermoCabinet::item(n).gibbs_mass();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -518,7 +538,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return ThermoCabinet::item(n).cp_mass();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -527,7 +548,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return ThermoCabinet::item(n).cv_mass();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -536,7 +558,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return ThermoCabinet::item(n).electricPotential();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -573,7 +596,8 @@ extern "C" {
                                                 "pressure cannot be negative");
             ThermoCabinet::item(n).setPressure(p);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -589,7 +613,8 @@ extern "C" {
                 throw CanteraError("th_set_HP",
                                    "temperature cannot be negative");
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -605,7 +630,8 @@ extern "C" {
                 throw CanteraError("th_set_UV",
                                    "temperature cannot be negative");
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -615,7 +641,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             ThermoCabinet::item(n).setState_SV(vals[0],vals[1]);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -625,7 +652,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             ThermoCabinet::item(n).setState_SP(vals[0],vals[1]);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -637,7 +665,8 @@ extern "C" {
             equilibrate(ThermoCabinet::item(n), XY, solver, rtol, maxsteps,
                         maxiter, loglevel);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -669,7 +698,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return -10;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -685,7 +715,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return -10;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -701,7 +732,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return -10;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -739,7 +771,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return purefluid(n)->satTemperature(p);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -748,7 +781,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return purefluid(n)->satPressure(t);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -758,7 +792,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             purefluid(n)->setState_Psat(p, x);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -768,7 +803,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             purefluid(n)->setState_Tsat(t, x);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -845,7 +881,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return 0;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -859,7 +896,8 @@ extern "C" {
             string defphase = string(default_phase);
             installReactionArrays(p, k, defphase);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -932,7 +970,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return ERR;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -947,7 +986,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return ERR;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -967,7 +1007,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return ERR;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -982,7 +1023,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return ERR;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1001,7 +1043,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return ERR;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1017,7 +1060,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return ERR;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1053,7 +1097,8 @@ extern "C" {
                 return ERR;
             }
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1069,7 +1114,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return ERR;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1085,7 +1131,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return ERR;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1100,7 +1147,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return ERR;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         //catch (...) {return ERR;}
@@ -1116,7 +1164,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return ERR;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1137,7 +1186,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return ERR;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1162,7 +1212,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return ERR;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1176,7 +1227,8 @@ extern "C" {
             copy(r.c_str(), r.c_str() + lout, buf);
             buf[lout] = '\0';
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1190,7 +1242,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return ERR;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1206,7 +1259,8 @@ extern "C" {
                                    "wrong kinetics manager type");
             }
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1221,7 +1275,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             Transport* tr = newTransportMgr(mstr, &t, loglevel);
             return TransportCabinet::add(tr);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1230,7 +1285,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return TransportCabinet::item(n).viscosity();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1.0;
         }
     }
@@ -1239,7 +1295,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return TransportCabinet::item(n).thermalConductivity();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1.0;
         }
     }
@@ -1249,7 +1306,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             TransportCabinet::item(n).getThermalDiffCoeffs(dt);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1259,7 +1317,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             TransportCabinet::item(n).getMixDiffCoeffs(d);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1269,7 +1328,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             TransportCabinet::item(n).getBinaryDiffCoeffs(ld,d);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1279,7 +1339,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             TransportCabinet::item(n).getMultiDiffCoeffs(ld,d);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1289,7 +1350,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             TransportCabinet::item(n).setParameters(type, k, d);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1300,7 +1362,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             TransportCabinet::item(n).getMolarFluxes(state1, state2, delta, fluxes);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1311,7 +1374,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             TransportCabinet::item(n).getMassFluxes(state1, state2, delta, fluxes);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1326,7 +1390,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             importPhase(node, &thrm);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1344,7 +1409,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             importKinetics(node, phases, &k);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1363,7 +1429,8 @@ extern "C" {
             buf[s.size() - 1] = '\0';
             return 0;
 
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1374,7 +1441,8 @@ extern "C" {
             bool stherm = (show_thermo != 0);
             writephase(ThermoCabinet::item(nth), stherm);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1440,7 +1508,8 @@ extern "C" {
             KineticsCabinet::clear();
             TransportCabinet::clear();
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -1450,7 +1519,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             ThermoCabinet::del(n);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/clib/ctbdry.cpp b/src/clib/ctbdry.cpp
index 46c4e4c2d..89a307ab4 100644
--- a/src/clib/ctbdry.cpp
+++ b/src/clib/ctbdry.cpp
@@ -56,7 +56,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             BoundaryCabinet::item(i).setTemperature(t);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -66,7 +67,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return dynamic_cast<Inlet1D*>(&BoundaryCabinet::item(i))->spreadRate();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -76,7 +78,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             dynamic_cast<Inlet1D*>(&BoundaryCabinet::item(i))->setSpreadRate(v);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -86,7 +89,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             BoundaryCabinet::item(i).setMdot(mdot);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -102,7 +106,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             BoundaryCabinet::item(i).setMoleFractions(xin);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -112,7 +117,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             BoundaryCabinet::item(i).setMoleFractions(string(xin));
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -126,7 +132,8 @@ extern "C" {
             InterfaceKinetics* k =
                 dynamic_cast<InterfaceKinetics*>(&Cabinet<Kinetics>::item(j));
             srf->setKineticsMgr(k);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
diff --git a/src/clib/ctfunc.cpp b/src/clib/ctfunc.cpp
index ff9f6418a..61646e610 100644
--- a/src/clib/ctfunc.cpp
+++ b/src/clib/ctfunc.cpp
@@ -87,7 +87,8 @@ extern "C" {
                 r = new Func1();
             }
             return FuncCabinet::add(r);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -138,7 +139,8 @@ extern "C" {
             std::copy(w.c_str(), w.c_str() + lout, nm);
             nm[lout] = '\0';
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/clib/ctmultiphase.cpp b/src/clib/ctmultiphase.cpp
index 4ba96e752..be14c6387 100644
--- a/src/clib/ctmultiphase.cpp
+++ b/src/clib/ctmultiphase.cpp
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ static bool checkSpecies(int i, size_t k)
             throw CanteraError("checkSpecies",
                                "illegal species index ("+int2str(k)+") ");
         return true;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
         return false;
     }
 }
@@ -36,7 +37,8 @@ static bool checkElement(int i, size_t m)
             throw CanteraError("checkElement",
                                "illegal element index ("+int2str(m)+") ");
         return true;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
         return false;
     }
 }
@@ -48,7 +50,8 @@ static bool checkPhase(int i, int n)
             throw CanteraError("checkPhase",
                                "illegal phase index ("+int2str(n)+") ");
         return true;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
         return false;
     }
 }
@@ -157,7 +160,8 @@ extern "C" {
             }
             mixCabinet::item(i).setMoles(n);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return ERR;
         }
     }
@@ -168,7 +172,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             mixCabinet::item(i).setMolesByName(string(n));
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -248,7 +253,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             return equilibrate(mixCabinet::item(i), XY,
                                rtol, maxsteps, maxiter, loglevel);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -270,7 +276,8 @@ extern "C" {
                                " To use this feature add export WITH_VCS_NONIDEAL='y' to the preconfig file");
 #endif
             return (double) retn;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -283,7 +290,8 @@ extern "C" {
             }
             mixCabinet::item(i).getChemPotentials(mu);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -298,7 +306,8 @@ extern "C" {
             }
             mixCabinet::item(i).getValidChemPotentials(bad_mu, mu, st);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/clib/ctonedim.cpp b/src/clib/ctonedim.cpp
index 87d8db053..4bb6af051 100644
--- a/src/clib/ctonedim.cpp
+++ b/src/clib/ctonedim.cpp
@@ -52,7 +52,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             DomainCabinet::clear();
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -91,7 +92,8 @@ extern "C" {
             copy(nm.c_str(), nm.c_str() + lout, buf);
             buf[lout] = '\0';
             return static_cast<int>(nm.size());
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -101,7 +103,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             size_t n = DomainCabinet::item(i).componentIndex(string(name));
             return n;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -110,7 +113,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return DomainCabinet::item(i).grid(n);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -120,7 +124,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             DomainCabinet::item(i).setBounds(n, lower, upper);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -129,7 +134,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return DomainCabinet::item(i).upperBound(n);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -138,7 +144,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return DomainCabinet::item(i).lowerBound(n);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -149,7 +156,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             DomainCabinet::item(i).setTolerances(n, rtol, atol, itime);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -158,7 +166,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return DomainCabinet::item(i).rtol(n);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -167,7 +176,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return DomainCabinet::item(i).atol(n);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -177,7 +187,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             DomainCabinet::item(i).setupGrid(npts, grid);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -188,7 +199,8 @@ extern "C" {
             string s = string(id);
             DomainCabinet::item(i).setID(s);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -200,7 +212,8 @@ extern "C" {
             string s = string(desc);
             DomainCabinet::item(i).setDesc(s);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -211,7 +224,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             Inlet1D* i = new Inlet1D();
             return DomainCabinet::add(i);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -221,7 +235,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             Surf1D* i = new Surf1D();
             return DomainCabinet::add(i);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -232,7 +247,8 @@ extern "C" {
             //writelog("in reactingsurf_new\n");
             Domain1D* i = new ReactingSurf1D();
             return DomainCabinet::add(i);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             writelog("error");
             return -1;
         }
@@ -243,7 +259,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             Symm1D* i = new Symm1D();
             return DomainCabinet::add(i);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -253,7 +270,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             Outlet1D* i = new Outlet1D();
             return DomainCabinet::add(i);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -263,7 +281,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             OutletRes1D* i = new OutletRes1D();
             return DomainCabinet::add(i);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -273,7 +292,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             _bdry(i)->setMdot(mdot);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -283,7 +303,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             _bdry(i)->setTemperature(t);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -293,7 +314,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             _bdry(i)->setMoleFractions(string(x));
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -302,7 +324,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _bdry(i)->temperature();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -311,7 +334,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _bdry(i)->massFraction(k);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -320,7 +344,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _bdry(i)->mdot();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -333,7 +358,8 @@ extern "C" {
                 dynamic_cast<InterfaceKinetics*>(&Cabinet<Kinetics>::item(j));
             srf->setKineticsMgr(k);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -346,7 +372,8 @@ extern "C" {
             return 0;
         }
 
-        catch (CanteraError) {
+        catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -359,7 +386,8 @@ extern "C" {
             return 0;
         }
 
-        catch (CanteraError) {
+        catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -383,7 +411,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return -2;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -398,7 +427,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             _stflow(i)->setTransport(TransportCabinet::item(itr), withSoret);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -412,7 +442,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             _stflow(i)->enableSoret(withSoret);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -422,7 +453,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             _stflow(i)->setPressure(p);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -438,7 +470,8 @@ extern "C" {
             }
             _stflow(i)->setFixedTempProfile(vpos, vtemp);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -453,7 +486,8 @@ extern "C" {
                 _stflow(i)->fixSpecies(-1);
             }
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -468,7 +502,8 @@ extern "C" {
                 _stflow(i)->fixTemperature(-1);
             }
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -490,7 +525,8 @@ extern "C" {
             Sim1D* s = new Sim1D(d);
             //writelog("in sim1D_new, ret Sim1D\n");
             return SimCabinet::add(s);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -500,7 +536,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             SimCabinet::clear();
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -517,7 +554,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             SimCabinet::item(i).setValue(dom, comp, localPoint, value);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -533,7 +571,8 @@ extern "C" {
             }
             SimCabinet::item(i).setProfile(dom, comp, pv, vv);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -543,7 +582,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             SimCabinet::item(i).setFlatProfile(dom, comp, v);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -566,7 +606,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             SimCabinet::item(i).setTimeStep(stepsize, ns, nsteps);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -576,7 +617,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             SimCabinet::item(i).getInitialSoln();
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -587,7 +629,8 @@ extern "C" {
             bool r = (refine_grid == 0 ? false : true);
             SimCabinet::item(i).solve(loglevel, r);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -597,7 +640,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             SimCabinet::item(i).refine(loglevel);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -608,7 +652,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             SimCabinet::item(i).setRefineCriteria(dom, ratio, slope, curve, prune);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -622,7 +667,8 @@ extern "C" {
             string sdesc = string(desc);
             SimCabinet::item(i).save(sname, sid, sdesc);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -634,7 +680,8 @@ extern "C" {
             string sid = string(id);
             SimCabinet::item(i).restore(sname, sid);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -644,7 +691,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             SimCabinet::item(i).writeStats(printTime);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -653,7 +701,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return (int) SimCabinet::item(i).domainIndex(string(name));
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -662,7 +711,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return SimCabinet::item(i).value(idom, icomp, localPoint);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -671,7 +721,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return SimCabinet::item(i).workValue(idom, icomp, localPoint);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -681,7 +732,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             SimCabinet::item(i).eval(rdt, count);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -691,7 +743,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             SimCabinet::item(i).setJacAge(ss_age, ts_age);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -701,7 +754,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             SimCabinet::item(i).setTimeStepFactor(tfactor);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -716,7 +770,8 @@ extern "C" {
                 SimCabinet::item(i).setMaxTimeStep(tsmax);
             }
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -726,7 +781,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             SimCabinet::item(i).setFixedTemperature(temp);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -736,7 +792,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             SimCabinet::item(i).evalSSJacobian();
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -745,7 +802,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return SimCabinet::item(i).jacobian(m,n);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -754,7 +812,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return SimCabinet::item(i).size();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/clib/ctreactor.cpp b/src/clib/ctreactor.cpp
index e8964159d..6e0ad0b82 100644
--- a/src/clib/ctreactor.cpp
+++ b/src/clib/ctreactor.cpp
@@ -99,7 +99,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             ReactorCabinet::item(i).advance(t);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -248,7 +249,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             NetworkCabinet::item(i).addReactor(&ReactorCabinet::item(n));
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -329,7 +331,8 @@ extern "C" {
                 throw CanteraError("install","Could not install flow device.");
             }
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/clib/ctxml.cpp b/src/clib/ctxml.cpp
index be18299fc..14d532a18 100644
--- a/src/clib/ctxml.cpp
+++ b/src/clib/ctxml.cpp
@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             XML_Node* x = get_XML_File(std::string(file), debug);
             return XmlCabinet::add(x);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -46,7 +47,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XmlCabinet::clear();
             close_XML_File("all");
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -86,7 +88,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XmlCabinet::item(i).build(f);
             f.close();
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -96,7 +99,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             get_CTML_Tree(&XmlCabinet::item(i), string(file), debug);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -114,7 +118,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else
                 throw CanteraError("xml_attrib","node "
                                    " has no attribute '"+ky+"'");
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -127,7 +132,8 @@ extern "C" {
             string val = string(value);
             XML_Node& node = XmlCabinet::item(i);
             node.addAttribute(ky, val);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -139,7 +145,8 @@ extern "C" {
             string c = string(comment);
             XML_Node& node = XmlCabinet::item(i);
             node.addComment(c);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -151,7 +158,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XML_Node& node = XmlCabinet::item(i);
             const string v = node.name();
             strncpy(tag, v.c_str(), 80);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -163,7 +171,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XML_Node& node = XmlCabinet::item(i);
             const string v = node.value();
             strncpy(value, v.c_str(), 80);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -175,7 +184,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XML_Node& node = XmlCabinet::item(i);
             XML_Node& c = node.child(string(loc));
             return XmlCabinet::add(&c);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -187,7 +197,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XML_Node& node = XmlCabinet::item(i);
             XML_Node& c = node.child(m);
             return XmlCabinet::add(&c);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -203,7 +214,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 throw CanteraError("xml_find_id","id not found: "+string(id));
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -219,7 +231,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else
                 throw CanteraError("xml_findByName","name "+string(nm)
                                    +" not found");
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -230,7 +243,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             XML_Node& node = XmlCabinet::item(i);
             return (int) node.nChildren();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -241,8 +255,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XML_Node& node = XmlCabinet::item(i);
             XML_Node& c = node.addChild(string(name),string(value));
             return XmlCabinet::add(&c);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            showErrors(cout);
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            cout << err.what() << endl;
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -255,7 +269,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XML_Node& chld = XmlCabinet::item(j);
             XML_Node& c = node.addChild(chld);
             return XmlCabinet::add(&c);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -273,7 +288,8 @@ extern "C" {
                                    "file "+string(file)+" not found.");
             }
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
@@ -300,7 +316,8 @@ extern "C" {
             for (size_t i = 0; i < nv; i++) {
                 data[i] = v[i];
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             return -1;
         }
         return 0;
diff --git a/src/converters/ck2ct.cpp b/src/converters/ck2ct.cpp
index 46bf6fd1a..d2eb89c30 100644
--- a/src/converters/ck2ct.cpp
+++ b/src/converters/ck2ct.cpp
@@ -660,7 +660,8 @@ int convert_ck(const char* in_file, const char* db_file,
         }
         bool hastransport = (trfile != "");
         ck2ct(f, idtag, r, hastransport);
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
         fclose(f);
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/src/equil/ChemEquil.cpp b/src/equil/ChemEquil.cpp
index 3b035c402..bda0d18a0 100644
--- a/src/equil/ChemEquil.cpp
+++ b/src/equil/ChemEquil.cpp
@@ -309,7 +309,8 @@ int ChemEquil::setInitialMoles(thermo_t& s, vector_fp& elMoleGoal,
         delete e;
         delete mp;
         iok = 0;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
         delete e;
         delete mp;
         iok = -1;
@@ -416,7 +417,8 @@ int ChemEquil::estimateElementPotentials(thermo_t& s, vector_fp& lambda_RT,
     int info;
     try {
         info = solve(aa, DATA_PTR(b));
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
         if (loglevel > 0) {
             addLogEntry("failed to estimate initial element potentials.");
         }
@@ -912,7 +914,8 @@ next:
      */
     try {
         info = solve(jac, DATA_PTR(res_trial));
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
         addLogEntry("Jacobian is singular.");
         endLogGroup(); // iteration
         endLogGroup(); // equilibrate
@@ -1855,7 +1858,8 @@ int ChemEquil::estimateEP_Brinkley(thermo_t& s, vector_fp& x,
 
         try {
             solve(a1, DATA_PTR(resid));
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             addLogEntry("estimateEP_Brinkley:Jacobian is singular.");
 #ifdef DEBUG_MODE
             if (ChemEquil_print_lvl > 0) {
diff --git a/src/equil/MultiPhase.cpp b/src/equil/MultiPhase.cpp
index bf3b9e202..48e7cbf40 100644
--- a/src/equil/MultiPhase.cpp
+++ b/src/equil/MultiPhase.cpp
@@ -694,6 +694,7 @@ doublereal MultiPhase::equilibrate(int XY, doublereal err,
         try {
             e->equilibrate(XY, err, maxsteps, loglevel);
         } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             if (loglevel > 0) {
                 endLogGroup();
             }
@@ -795,7 +796,8 @@ doublereal MultiPhase::equilibrate(int XY, doublereal err,
 
             }
 
-            catch (CanteraError&) {
+            catch (CanteraError& err) {
+                err.save();
                 if (!strt) {
                     if (loglevel > 0)
                         addLogEntry("no convergence",
@@ -887,7 +889,8 @@ doublereal MultiPhase::equilibrate(int XY, doublereal err,
                 }
             }
 
-            catch (CanteraError&) {
+            catch (CanteraError& err) {
+                err.save();
                 if (!strt) {
                     if (loglevel > 0) {
                         addLogEntry("no convergence",
diff --git a/src/equil/equilibrate.cpp b/src/equil/equilibrate.cpp
index 057593d6f..b7933b89c 100644
--- a/src/equil/equilibrate.cpp
+++ b/src/equil/equilibrate.cpp
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ doublereal equilibrate(MultiPhase& s, const char* XY,
             }
             return err;
         } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             if (loglevel > 0) {
                 addLogEntry("Failure.",lastErrorMessage());
                 endLogGroup("equilibrate");
@@ -143,6 +144,7 @@ int equilibrate(thermo_t& s, const char* XY, int solver,
                 delete m;
                 retn = nAttempts;
             } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+                err.save();
                 if (loglevel > 0) {
                     addLogEntry("VCSnonideal solver failed.");
                 }
@@ -177,6 +179,7 @@ int equilibrate(thermo_t& s, const char* XY, int solver,
                 delete m;
                 retn = nAttempts;
             } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+                err.save();
                 if (loglevel > 0) {
                     addLogEntry("MultiPhaseEquil solver failed.");
                 }
@@ -229,6 +232,7 @@ int equilibrate(thermo_t& s, const char* XY, int solver,
             }
 
             catch (CanteraError& err) {
+                err.save();
                 delete e;
                 if (loglevel > 0) {
                     addLogEntry("ChemEquil solver failed.");
diff --git a/src/equil/vcs_equilibrate.cpp b/src/equil/vcs_equilibrate.cpp
index 1ea154923..7ba1886cb 100644
--- a/src/equil/vcs_equilibrate.cpp
+++ b/src/equil/vcs_equilibrate.cpp
@@ -129,6 +129,7 @@ int vcs_equilibrate(thermo_t& s, const char* XY,
             }
             delete m;
         } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             addLogEntry("MultiPhaseEquil solver failed.");
             delete m;
             throw err;
@@ -145,6 +146,7 @@ int vcs_equilibrate(thermo_t& s, const char* XY,
             delete m;
             retn = 1;
         } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             if (loglevel > 0) {
                 addLogEntry("MultiPhaseEquil solver failed.");
             }
@@ -177,6 +179,7 @@ int vcs_equilibrate(thermo_t& s, const char* XY,
                 addLogEntry("ChemEquil solver succeeded.");
             }
         } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
             if (loglevel > 0) {
                 addLogEntry("ChemEquil solver failed.");
             }
@@ -344,6 +347,7 @@ int vcs_equilibrate_1(MultiPhase& s, int ixy,
             }
             delete eqsolve;
         } catch (CanteraError& e) {
+            e.save();
             retn = -1;
             addLogEntry("Failure.", lastErrorMessage());
             endLogGroup("equilibrate");
@@ -359,7 +363,7 @@ int vcs_equilibrate_1(MultiPhase& s, int ixy,
 
                 return 0;
             } catch (CanteraError& e) {
-
+                e.save();
                 addLogEntry("Failure.",lastErrorMessage());
                 endLogGroup("equilibrate");
 
diff --git a/src/fortran/fct.cpp b/src/fortran/fct.cpp
index 331211b6f..0b6e82e46 100644
--- a/src/fortran/fct.cpp
+++ b/src/fortran/fct.cpp
@@ -71,8 +71,9 @@ std::string f2string(const char* s, ftnlen n)
     return ss;
 }
 
-static void handleError()
+static void handleError(CanteraError& err)
 {
+    err.save();
     error(lastErrorMessage());
 }
 
@@ -88,8 +89,8 @@ extern "C" {
             std::string sproc = f2string(proc, proclen);
             std::string smsg = f2string(msg, msglen);
             throw CanteraError(sproc, smsg);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
         return -1;
@@ -108,8 +109,8 @@ extern "C" {
                 nm[nn] = ' ';
             }
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -214,8 +215,8 @@ extern "C" {
             parseCompString(f2string(x, lx), xx);
             p->setMoleFractionsByName(xx);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -243,8 +244,8 @@ extern "C" {
             parseCompString(f2string(y, leny), yy);
             p->setMassFractionsByName(yy);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -276,8 +277,8 @@ extern "C" {
                 nm[nn] = ' ';
             }
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -292,8 +293,8 @@ extern "C" {
                 nm[nn] = ' ';
             }
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -303,8 +304,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _fph(n)->nAtoms(*k-1,*m-1);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -320,8 +321,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XML_Node* x = _xml(mxml);
             thermo_t* th = newPhase(*x);
             return ThermoCabinet::add(th);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -340,8 +341,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _fth(n)->enthalpy_mole();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -350,8 +351,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _fth(n)->intEnergy_mole();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -360,8 +361,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _fth(n)->entropy_mole();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -370,8 +371,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _fth(n)->gibbs_mole();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -380,8 +381,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _fth(n)->cp_mole();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -390,8 +391,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _fth(n)->cv_mole();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -400,8 +401,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _fth(n)->pressure();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -410,8 +411,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _fth(n)->enthalpy_mass();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -420,8 +421,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _fth(n)->intEnergy_mass();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -430,8 +431,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _fth(n)->entropy_mass();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -440,8 +441,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _fth(n)->gibbs_mass();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -450,8 +451,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _fth(n)->cp_mass();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -460,8 +461,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _fth(n)->cv_mass();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -478,8 +479,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             _fth(n)->setPressure(*p);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -489,8 +490,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             _fth(n)->setState_HP(*v1, *v2);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -500,8 +501,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             _fth(n)->setState_UV(*v1, *v2);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -511,8 +512,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             _fth(n)->setState_SV(*v1, *v2);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -522,8 +523,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             _fth(n)->setState_SP(*v1, *v2);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -533,8 +534,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             equilibrate(*_fth(n), f2string(XY,lenxy).c_str());
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -606,8 +607,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 return 0;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return 999;
         }
     }
@@ -685,8 +686,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             k->getFwdRatesOfProgress(fwdROP);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -697,8 +698,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             k->getRevRatesOfProgress(revROP);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -714,8 +715,8 @@ extern "C" {
             Kinetics* k = _fkin(n);
             k->getNetRatesOfProgress(netROP);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -726,8 +727,8 @@ extern "C" {
             Kinetics* k = _fkin(n);
             k->getCreationRates(cdot);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -738,8 +739,8 @@ extern "C" {
             Kinetics* k = _fkin(n);
             k->getDestructionRates(ddot);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -750,8 +751,8 @@ extern "C" {
             Kinetics* k = _fkin(n);
             k->getNetProductionRates(wdot);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -767,8 +768,8 @@ extern "C" {
             Kinetics* k = _fkin(n);
             k->getEquilibriumConstants(kc);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -784,8 +785,8 @@ extern "C" {
                 buf[nn] = ' ';
             }
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -795,8 +796,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             _fkin(n)->setMultiplier(*i-1,*v);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -812,8 +813,8 @@ extern "C" {
                                    "wrong kinetics manager type");
             }
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -828,8 +829,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             Transport* tr = newTransportMgr(mstr, t, *loglevel);
             return TransportCabinet::add(tr);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -838,8 +839,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _ftrans(n)->viscosity();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -848,8 +849,8 @@ extern "C" {
     {
         try {
             return _ftrans(n)->thermalConductivity();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return DERR;
         }
     }
@@ -859,8 +860,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             _ftrans(n)->getThermalDiffCoeffs(dt);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -870,8 +871,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             _ftrans(n)->getMixDiffCoeffs(d);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -881,8 +882,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             _ftrans(n)->getBinaryDiffCoeffs(*ld,d);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -892,8 +893,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             _ftrans(n)->getMultiDiffCoeffs(*ld,d);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -903,8 +904,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             _ftrans(n)->setParameters(*type, *k, d);
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -954,8 +955,8 @@ extern "C" {
             }
             return 0;
 
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/fortran/fctxml.cpp b/src/fortran/fctxml.cpp
index 6f62b98ce..dcf964eb5 100644
--- a/src/fortran/fctxml.cpp
+++ b/src/fortran/fctxml.cpp
@@ -27,8 +27,9 @@ inline XML_Node* _xml(const integer* i)
     return &XmlCabinet::item(*i);
 }
 
-static void handleError()
+static void handleError(CanteraError& err)
 {
+    err.save();
     Cantera::error(Cantera::lastErrorMessage());
 }
 
@@ -53,8 +54,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XML_Node* x = Cantera::get_XML_File(f2string(file, filelen));
             int ix = XmlCabinet::add(x);
             return ix;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -65,8 +66,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XmlCabinet::clear();
             Cantera::close_XML_File("all");
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
             return -1;
         }
     }
@@ -105,8 +106,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else
                 throw CanteraError("fxml_attrib","node "
                                    " has no attribute '"+ky+"'");
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
         return 0;
     }
@@ -119,8 +120,8 @@ extern "C" {
             std::string val = f2string(value, valuelen);
             XML_Node& node = *_xml(i);
             node.addAttribute(ky, val);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
         return 0;
     }
@@ -132,8 +133,8 @@ extern "C" {
             std::string c = f2string(comment, commentlen);
             XML_Node& node = *_xml(i);
             node.addComment(c);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
         return 0;
     }
@@ -144,8 +145,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XML_Node& node = *_xml(i);
             const std::string v = node.name();
             strncpy(tag, v.c_str(), taglen);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
         return 0;
     }
@@ -156,8 +157,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XML_Node& node = *_xml(i);
             const std::string v = node.value();
             strncpy(value, v.c_str(), valuelen);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
         return 0;
     }
@@ -168,8 +169,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XML_Node& node = *_xml(i);
             XML_Node& c = node.child(f2string(loc, loclen));
             return XmlCabinet::add(&c);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
         return 0;
     }
@@ -180,8 +181,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XML_Node& node = *_xml(i);
             XML_Node& c = node.child(*m);
             return XmlCabinet::add(&c);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
         return 0;
     }
@@ -196,8 +197,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else {
                 throw CanteraError("fxml_find_id","id not found: "+f2string(id, idlen));
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
         return 0;
     }
@@ -212,8 +213,8 @@ extern "C" {
             } else
                 throw CanteraError("fxml_findByName","name "+f2string(nm, nmlen)
                                    +" not found");
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
         return 0;
     }
@@ -223,8 +224,8 @@ extern "C" {
         try {
             XML_Node& node = *_xml(i);
             return node.nChildren();
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
         return 0;
     }
@@ -237,8 +238,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XML_Node& c = node.addChild(f2string(name, namelen),
                                         f2string(value,valuelen));
             return XmlCabinet::add(&c);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
         return 0;
     }
@@ -250,8 +251,8 @@ extern "C" {
             XML_Node& chld = *_xml(j);
             XML_Node& c = node.addChild(chld);
             return XmlCabinet::add(&c);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
         return 0;
     }
@@ -269,8 +270,8 @@ extern "C" {
                                    "file "+f2string(file, filelen)+" not found.");
             }
             return 0;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
         return 0;
     }
@@ -298,8 +299,8 @@ extern "C" {
                 data[i] = v[i];
             }
             //n = nv;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            handleError();
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            handleError(err);
         }
         return 0;
     }
diff --git a/src/kinetics/importKinetics.cpp b/src/kinetics/importKinetics.cpp
index 606cc6db0..ec95e3cc4 100644
--- a/src/kinetics/importKinetics.cpp
+++ b/src/kinetics/importKinetics.cpp
@@ -1201,7 +1201,8 @@ bool buildSolutionFromXML(XML_Node& root, std::string id, std::string nm,
         importKinetics(*x, phases, k);
 
         return true;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
         throw CanteraError("buildSolutionFromXML","error encountered");
         return false;
     }
diff --git a/src/oneD/Sim1D.cpp b/src/oneD/Sim1D.cpp
index 1ffb0a08b..1797971f1 100644
--- a/src/oneD/Sim1D.cpp
+++ b/src/oneD/Sim1D.cpp
@@ -304,8 +304,8 @@ void Sim1D::solve(int loglevel, bool refine_grid)
 
             }
 
-            catch (CanteraError) {
-
+            catch (CanteraError& err) {
+                err.save();
                 popError();
                 char buf[100];
                 if (loglevel > 0) {
diff --git a/src/thermo/MolalityVPSSTP.cpp b/src/thermo/MolalityVPSSTP.cpp
index 3bbca08f9..404c5ca76 100644
--- a/src/thermo/MolalityVPSSTP.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/MolalityVPSSTP.cpp
@@ -899,7 +899,8 @@ std::string MolalityVPSSTP::report(bool show_thermo) const
                 sprintf(p, " heat capacity c_v    %12.6g     %12.4g     J/K\n",
                         cv_mass(), cv_mole());
                 s += p;
-            } catch (CanteraError) {
+            } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+                err.save();
                 sprintf(p, " heat capacity c_v    <not implemented>       \n");
                 s += p;
             }
@@ -940,8 +941,8 @@ std::string MolalityVPSSTP::report(bool show_thermo) const
                 s += p;
             }
         }
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        ;
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
     }
     return s;
 }
@@ -988,29 +989,29 @@ void MolalityVPSSTP::reportCSV(std::ofstream& csvFile) const
             getMolalities(&temp[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Molal");
             data.push_back(temp);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getChemPotentials(&temp[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Chem. Pot. (J/kmol)");
             data.push_back(temp);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getStandardChemPotentials(&temp[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Chem. Pot. SS (J/kmol)");
             data.push_back(temp);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getMolalityActivityCoefficients(&temp[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Molal Act. Coeff.");
             data.push_back(temp);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getActivities(&temp[0]);
@@ -1021,43 +1022,43 @@ void MolalityVPSSTP::reportCSV(std::ofstream& csvFile) const
                 double pH = -log(temp[iHp]) / log(10.0);
                 csvFile << setw(tabL) << "pH = " << setw(tabS) << pH << endl;
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getPartialMolarEnthalpies(&temp[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Part. Mol Enthalpy (J/kmol)");
             data.push_back(temp);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getPartialMolarEntropies(&temp[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Part. Mol. Entropy (J/K/kmol)");
             data.push_back(temp);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getPartialMolarIntEnergies(&temp[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Part. Mol. Energy (J/kmol)");
             data.push_back(temp);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getPartialMolarCp(&temp[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Part. Mol. Cp (J/K/kmol");
             data.push_back(temp);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getPartialMolarVolumes(&temp[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Part. Mol. Cv (J/K/kmol)");
             data.push_back(temp);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
 
         csvFile << endl << setw(tabS) << "Species,";
@@ -1084,8 +1085,8 @@ void MolalityVPSSTP::reportCSV(std::ofstream& csvFile) const
                 csvFile << endl;
             }
         }
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        ;
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/thermo/MolarityIonicVPSSTP.cpp b/src/thermo/MolarityIonicVPSSTP.cpp
index ee134bae8..1c767de5e 100644
--- a/src/thermo/MolarityIonicVPSSTP.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/MolarityIonicVPSSTP.cpp
@@ -819,14 +819,15 @@ std::string MolarityIonicVPSSTP::report(bool show_thermo) const
                 sprintf(p, " heat capacity c_v    %12.6g     %12.4g     J/K\n",
                         cv_mass(), cv_mole());
                 s += p;
-            } catch (CanteraError) {
+            } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+                err.save();
                 sprintf(p, " heat capacity c_v    <not implemented>       \n");
                 s += p;
             }
         }
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        ;
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
     }
     return s;
 }
diff --git a/src/thermo/PseudoBinaryVPSSTP.cpp b/src/thermo/PseudoBinaryVPSSTP.cpp
index 6098bb97d..68e62d192 100644
--- a/src/thermo/PseudoBinaryVPSSTP.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/PseudoBinaryVPSSTP.cpp
@@ -360,14 +360,15 @@ std::string PseudoBinaryVPSSTP::report(bool show_thermo) const
                 sprintf(p, " heat capacity c_v    %12.6g     %12.4g     J/K\n",
                         cv_mass(), cv_mole());
                 s += p;
-            } catch (CanteraError) {
+            } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+                err.save();
                 sprintf(p, " heat capacity c_v    <not implemented>       \n");
                 s += p;
             }
         }
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        ;
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
     }
     return s;
 }
diff --git a/src/thermo/PureFluidPhase.cpp b/src/thermo/PureFluidPhase.cpp
index b5e10a7f4..6fbc757d3 100644
--- a/src/thermo/PureFluidPhase.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/PureFluidPhase.cpp
@@ -613,7 +613,8 @@ std::string PureFluidPhase::report(bool show_thermo) const
                 sprintf(p, " heat capacity c_v    %12.6g     %12.4g     J/K\n",
                         cv_mass(), cv_mole());
                 s += p;
-            } catch (CanteraError) {
+            } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+                err.save();
                 sprintf(p, " heat capacity c_v    <not implemented>       \n");
                 s += p;
             }
@@ -661,8 +662,8 @@ std::string PureFluidPhase::report(bool show_thermo) const
         }
     }
     //}
-    catch (CanteraError) {
-        ;
+    catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
     }
     return s;
 }
@@ -723,64 +724,64 @@ void PureFluidPhase::reportCSV(std::ofstream& csvFile) const
             getMassFractions(&y[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Y");
             data.push_back(y);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getChemPotentials(&mu[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Chem. Pot (J/kmol)");
             data.push_back(mu);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getActivities(&a[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Activity");
             data.push_back(a);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getActivityCoefficients(&ac[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Act. Coeff.");
             data.push_back(ac);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getPartialMolarEnthalpies(&hbar[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Part. Mol Enthalpy (J/kmol)");
             data.push_back(hbar);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getPartialMolarEntropies(&sbar[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Part. Mol. Entropy (J/K/kmol)");
             data.push_back(sbar);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getPartialMolarIntEnergies(&ubar[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Part. Mol. Energy (J/kmol)");
             data.push_back(ubar);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getPartialMolarCp(&cpbar[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Part. Mol. Cp (J/K/kmol");
             data.push_back(cpbar);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getPartialMolarVolumes(&vbar[0]);
             pNames.push_back("Part. Mol. Cv (J/K/kmol)");
             data.push_back(vbar);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
 
         csvFile << endl << setw(tabS) << "Species,";
@@ -807,8 +808,8 @@ void PureFluidPhase::reportCSV(std::ofstream& csvFile) const
                 csvFile << endl;
             }
         }
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        ;
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
     }
 }
 }
diff --git a/src/thermo/ThermoPhase.cpp b/src/thermo/ThermoPhase.cpp
index 59d64cc0f..480f5f837 100644
--- a/src/thermo/ThermoPhase.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/ThermoPhase.cpp
@@ -190,7 +190,8 @@ void ThermoPhase::setState_TPX(doublereal t, doublereal p, const std::string& x)
     }
     try {
         parseCompString(x, xx);
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
         throw CanteraError("setState_TPX",
                            "Unknown species in composition map: "+ x);
     }
@@ -224,7 +225,8 @@ void ThermoPhase::setState_TPY(doublereal t, doublereal p,
     }
     try {
         parseCompString(y, yy);
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
         throw CanteraError("setState_TPY",
                            "Unknown species in composition map: "+ y);
     }
@@ -1284,7 +1286,8 @@ std::string ThermoPhase::report(bool show_thermo) const
                 sprintf(p, " heat capacity c_v    %12.6g     %12.4g     J/K\n",
                         cv_mass(), cv_mole());
                 s += p;
-            } catch (CanteraError) {
+            } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+                err.save();
                 sprintf(p, " heat capacity c_v    <not implemented>       \n");
                 s += p;
             }
@@ -1332,8 +1335,8 @@ std::string ThermoPhase::report(bool show_thermo) const
         }
     }
     //}
-    catch (CanteraError) {
-        ;
+    catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
     }
     return s;
 }
@@ -1395,64 +1398,64 @@ void ThermoPhase::reportCSV(std::ofstream& csvFile) const
             getMassFractions(y);
             pNames.push_back("Y");
             data.push_back(y);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getChemPotentials(mu);
             pNames.push_back("Chem. Pot (J/kmol)");
             data.push_back(mu);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getActivities(a);
             pNames.push_back("Activity");
             data.push_back(a);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getActivityCoefficients(ac);
             pNames.push_back("Act. Coeff.");
             data.push_back(ac);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getPartialMolarEnthalpies(hbar);
             pNames.push_back("Part. Mol Enthalpy (J/kmol)");
             data.push_back(hbar);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getPartialMolarEntropies(sbar);
             pNames.push_back("Part. Mol. Entropy (J/K/kmol)");
             data.push_back(sbar);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getPartialMolarIntEnergies(ubar);
             pNames.push_back("Part. Mol. Energy (J/kmol)");
             data.push_back(ubar);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getPartialMolarCp(cpbar);
             pNames.push_back("Part. Mol. Cp (J/K/kmol");
             data.push_back(cpbar);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
         try {
             getPartialMolarVolumes(vbar);
             pNames.push_back("Part. Mol. Cv (J/K/kmol)");
             data.push_back(vbar);
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
 
         csvFile << endl << setw(tabS) << "Species,";
@@ -1490,8 +1493,8 @@ void ThermoPhase::reportCSV(std::ofstream& csvFile) const
         delete [] cpbar;
         delete [] vbar;
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        ;
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/transport/MultiTransport.cpp b/src/transport/MultiTransport.cpp
index 91b8adef0..bd097325b 100644
--- a/src/transport/MultiTransport.cpp
+++ b/src/transport/MultiTransport.cpp
@@ -386,7 +386,8 @@ void MultiTransport::solveLMatrixEquation()
     copy(m_b.begin(), m_b.end(), m_a.begin());
     try {
         solve(m_Lmatrix, DATA_PTR(m_a));
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
         //if (info != 0) {
         throw CanteraError("MultiTransport::solveLMatrixEquation",
                            "error in solving L matrix.");
diff --git a/src/transport/TransportFactory.cpp b/src/transport/TransportFactory.cpp
index 36b06fe04..129e81549 100644
--- a/src/transport/TransportFactory.cpp
+++ b/src/transport/TransportFactory.cpp
@@ -915,8 +915,8 @@ void TransportFactory::getTransportData(const std::vector<const XML_Node*> &xspe
                                               "negative rotation relaxation number");
 
             datatable[name] = data;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
-            ;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
         }
     }
 
@@ -1078,8 +1078,9 @@ void TransportFactory::getLiquidSpeciesTransportData(const std::vector<const XML
                 }
                 datatable.insert(pair<std::string, LiquidTransportData>(name,data));
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError yy) {
-            throw yy;
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+            err.save();
+            throw err;
         }
     }
 
@@ -1218,12 +1219,9 @@ void TransportFactory::getLiquidInteractionsTransportData(const XML_Node& transp
                 }
             }
         }
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(std::cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
     }
-    //catch(CanteraError) {
-    //  ;
-    //}
     return;
 }
 
diff --git a/test_problems/ChemEquil_gri_matrix/gri_matrix.cpp b/test_problems/ChemEquil_gri_matrix/gri_matrix.cpp
index 2b2e43aba..691340091 100644
--- a/test_problems/ChemEquil_gri_matrix/gri_matrix.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/ChemEquil_gri_matrix/gri_matrix.cpp
@@ -51,9 +51,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
                      << endl;
                 exit(-1);
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
             cout << g;
-            showErrors(cerr);
+            std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
             cerr << "ERROR: equilibration step failed at "
                  << " T    = " << T
                  << " Pres = " << pres
@@ -87,9 +87,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
                      << endl;
                 exit(-1);
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
             cout << g;
-            showErrors(cerr);
+            std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
             cerr << "ERROR: equilibration step failed at "
                  << " T    = " << T
                  << " Pres = " << pres
@@ -125,9 +125,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
                      << endl;
                 exit(-1);
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
             cout << g;
-            showErrors(cerr);
+            std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
             cerr << "ERROR: equilibration step failed at "
                  << " T    = " << T
                  << " Pres = " << pres
@@ -163,9 +163,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
                      << endl;
                 exit(-1);
             }
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
             cout << g;
-            showErrors(cerr);
+            std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
             cerr << "ERROR: equilibration step failed at "
                  << " T    = " << T
                  << " Pres = " << pres
@@ -207,8 +207,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
                                  << " Pres = " << pres
                                  << endl;
                         }
-                    } catch (CanteraError) {
-                        showErrors(cerr);
+                    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+                        std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
                         cerr << "ERROR: equilibration step failed at "
                              << " T    = " << T
                              << " Pres = " << pres
@@ -235,8 +235,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         cout << "NUMBER OF FAILURES  =  " << numFail << endl;
 
         return numFail;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cerr);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
         cerr << "ERROR: program terminating due to unforeseen circumstances." << endl;
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/ChemEquil_gri_pairs/gri_pairs.cpp b/test_problems/ChemEquil_gri_pairs/gri_pairs.cpp
index 2c393be9c..18512be9b 100644
--- a/test_problems/ChemEquil_gri_pairs/gri_pairs.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/ChemEquil_gri_pairs/gri_pairs.cpp
@@ -61,8 +61,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
 
         return 0;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cerr);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
         cerr << "program terminating." << endl;
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/ChemEquil_ionizedGas/ionizedGasEquil.cpp b/test_problems/ChemEquil_ionizedGas/ionizedGasEquil.cpp
index f5d814f59..82915fdde 100644
--- a/test_problems/ChemEquil_ionizedGas/ionizedGasEquil.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/ChemEquil_ionizedGas/ionizedGasEquil.cpp
@@ -81,8 +81,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         fclose(FF);
     }
 
-    catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors();
+    catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
+        return -1;
     }
     return 0;
 }
diff --git a/test_problems/ChemEquil_red1/basopt_red1.cpp b/test_problems/ChemEquil_red1/basopt_red1.cpp
index a0eda6b9b..fc60c8673 100644
--- a/test_problems/ChemEquil_red1/basopt_red1.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/ChemEquil_red1/basopt_red1.cpp
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         cout << g;
 
         return 0;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cerr);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
         cerr << "program terminating." << endl;
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/CpJump/CpJump.cpp b/test_problems/CpJump/CpJump.cpp
index 6c1258fea..395f901e0 100644
--- a/test_problems/CpJump/CpJump.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/CpJump/CpJump.cpp
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
 
         return 0;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cerr);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
         cerr << "program terminating." << endl;
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/NASA9poly_test/NASA9poly_test.cpp b/test_problems/NASA9poly_test/NASA9poly_test.cpp
index ff9db35dd..aaf07b8e0 100644
--- a/test_problems/NASA9poly_test/NASA9poly_test.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/NASA9poly_test/NASA9poly_test.cpp
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
     _set_output_format(_TWO_DIGIT_EXPONENT);
 #endif
     try {
-
+        //throw ArraySizeError("MadeUpFunction", 12, 22);
 
         IdealGasMix g("gasNASA9.xml", "gri30_mix");
         int nsp = g.nSpecies();
@@ -84,8 +84,11 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
             printf("    %13g %13.5g %13.5g\n", T1, visc, cond);
         }
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        err.save();
+//        cout << err.what() << endl;
         showErrors(cout);
+        return 1;
     }
 
     return 0;
diff --git a/test_problems/VCSnonideal/NaCl_equil/nacl_equil.cpp b/test_problems/VCSnonideal/NaCl_equil/nacl_equil.cpp
index 3b0e6aa77..a0a84e0a4 100644
--- a/test_problems/VCSnonideal/NaCl_equil/nacl_equil.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/VCSnonideal/NaCl_equil/nacl_equil.cpp
@@ -142,9 +142,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
                 exit(-1);
             }
             numSucc++;
-        } catch (CanteraError) {
+        } catch (CanteraError& err) {
             cout << *mp;
-            showErrors(cerr);
+            std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
             cerr << "ERROR: MultiEquil equilibration step failed at "
                  << " T    = " << T
                  << " Pres = " << pres
@@ -160,8 +160,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         cout << "NUMBER OF FAILURES  =  " << numFail << endl;
 
         return numFail;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cerr);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
         cerr << "ERROR: program terminating due to unforeseen circumstances." << endl;
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/VPsilane_test/silane_equil.cpp b/test_problems/VPsilane_test/silane_equil.cpp
index a0b37acd9..10e4f401e 100644
--- a/test_problems/VPsilane_test/silane_equil.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/VPsilane_test/silane_equil.cpp
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         cout << r;
         cout << endl;
         return 0;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cerr);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
         cerr << "program terminating." << endl;
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/cathermo/DH_graph_1/DH_graph_1.cpp b/test_problems/cathermo/DH_graph_1/DH_graph_1.cpp
index 1612e5226..0c873d13c 100644
--- a/test_problems/cathermo/DH_graph_1/DH_graph_1.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cathermo/DH_graph_1/DH_graph_1.cpp
@@ -85,8 +85,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
         return retn;
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         if (fl) {
             delete fl;
         }
diff --git a/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_dupl_test/HMW_dupl_test.cpp b/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_dupl_test/HMW_dupl_test.cpp
index a7614b03c..659586e9a 100644
--- a/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_dupl_test/HMW_dupl_test.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_dupl_test/HMW_dupl_test.cpp
@@ -307,9 +307,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
         return retn;
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        printf("caught error\n");
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         Cantera::appdelete();
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_CpvT/HMW_graph_CpvT.cpp b/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_CpvT/HMW_graph_CpvT.cpp
index 7d97b2266..ca700159b 100644
--- a/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_CpvT/HMW_graph_CpvT.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_CpvT/HMW_graph_CpvT.cpp
@@ -283,9 +283,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 #endif
         return retn;
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        printf("caught error\n");
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         Cantera::appdelete();
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_GvI/HMW_graph_GvI.cpp b/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_GvI/HMW_graph_GvI.cpp
index 9476ce545..7c43adfd2 100644
--- a/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_GvI/HMW_graph_GvI.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_GvI/HMW_graph_GvI.cpp
@@ -119,9 +119,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
         return retn;
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         return -1;
     }
 }
diff --git a/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_GvT/HMW_graph_GvT.cpp b/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_GvT/HMW_graph_GvT.cpp
index bd7acd709..321403fdf 100644
--- a/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_GvT/HMW_graph_GvT.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_GvT/HMW_graph_GvT.cpp
@@ -249,9 +249,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
         return retn;
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         Cantera::appdelete();
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_HvT/HMW_graph_HvT.cpp b/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_HvT/HMW_graph_HvT.cpp
index d3d93b455..f11959387 100644
--- a/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_HvT/HMW_graph_HvT.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_HvT/HMW_graph_HvT.cpp
@@ -272,9 +272,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
         return retn;
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        printf("caught error\n");
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         Cantera::appdelete();
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_VvT/HMW_graph_VvT.cpp b/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_VvT/HMW_graph_VvT.cpp
index 5e8dad06f..e2314433a 100644
--- a/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_VvT/HMW_graph_VvT.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_graph_VvT/HMW_graph_VvT.cpp
@@ -283,9 +283,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 #endif
         return retn;
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        printf("caught error\n");
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         Cantera::appdelete();
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_test_1/HMW_test_1.cpp b/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_test_1/HMW_test_1.cpp
index db9011124..35520fc94 100644
--- a/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_test_1/HMW_test_1.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_test_1/HMW_test_1.cpp
@@ -153,9 +153,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
         return retn;
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         return -1;
     }
 }
diff --git a/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_test_3/HMW_test_3.cpp b/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_test_3/HMW_test_3.cpp
index c6f62af63..f5b592cff 100644
--- a/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_test_3/HMW_test_3.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cathermo/HMW_test_3/HMW_test_3.cpp
@@ -146,9 +146,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
         return retn;
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         return -1;
     }
 }
diff --git a/test_problems/cathermo/VPissp/ISSPTester.cpp b/test_problems/cathermo/VPissp/ISSPTester.cpp
index e30eae052..e4ce1dcef 100644
--- a/test_problems/cathermo/VPissp/ISSPTester.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cathermo/VPissp/ISSPTester.cpp
@@ -144,8 +144,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
             printf(" %15s %12.5g %12.5g %12.5g %12.5g %12.5g\n", sn.c_str(), mui[i],
                    HiPM[i], SiPM[i], CpiPM[i], VoliPM[i]);
         }
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
+        return -1;
     }
 
     return 0;
diff --git a/test_problems/cathermo/ims/IMSTester.cpp b/test_problems/cathermo/ims/IMSTester.cpp
index 4ea6c1e3e..b4f5c7d9c 100644
--- a/test_problems/cathermo/ims/IMSTester.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cathermo/ims/IMSTester.cpp
@@ -142,8 +142,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
             printf(" %15s %12.5g %12.5g %12.5g %12.5g %12.5g\n", sn.c_str(), mui[i],
                    HiPM[i], SiPM[i], CpiPM[i], VoliPM[i]);
         }
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
+        return -1;
     }
 
     return 0;
diff --git a/test_problems/cathermo/issp/ISSPTester.cpp b/test_problems/cathermo/issp/ISSPTester.cpp
index a09ba1129..afae1311a 100644
--- a/test_problems/cathermo/issp/ISSPTester.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cathermo/issp/ISSPTester.cpp
@@ -144,8 +144,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
             printf(" %15s %12.5g %12.5g %12.5g %12.5g %12.5g\n", sn.c_str(), mui[i],
                    HiPM[i], SiPM[i], CpiPM[i], VoliPM[i]);
         }
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
+        return -1;
     }
 
     return 0;
diff --git a/test_problems/cathermo/stoichSubSSTP/stoichSubSSTP.cpp b/test_problems/cathermo/stoichSubSSTP/stoichSubSSTP.cpp
index 07e8c0de5..b14df9f6a 100644
--- a/test_problems/cathermo/stoichSubSSTP/stoichSubSSTP.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cathermo/stoichSubSSTP/stoichSubSSTP.cpp
@@ -156,9 +156,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
         return retn;
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         Cantera::appdelete();
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/cathermo/testWaterPDSS/testWaterPDSS.cpp b/test_problems/cathermo/testWaterPDSS/testWaterPDSS.cpp
index d4324ec57..b40adee7e 100644
--- a/test_problems/cathermo/testWaterPDSS/testWaterPDSS.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cathermo/testWaterPDSS/testWaterPDSS.cpp
@@ -151,9 +151,8 @@ int main()
 
 
         delete w;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         Cantera::appdelete();
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/cathermo/testWaterTP/testWaterSSTP.cpp b/test_problems/cathermo/testWaterTP/testWaterSSTP.cpp
index 54af996b0..5c012eca7 100644
--- a/test_problems/cathermo/testWaterTP/testWaterSSTP.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cathermo/testWaterTP/testWaterSSTP.cpp
@@ -304,7 +304,8 @@ int main()
             Hset += deltaH;
             try {
                 w->setState_HP(Hset, OneAtm);
-            } catch (CanteraError) {
+            } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+                err.save();
                 printf(" %10g, -> Failed to converge, beyond the spinodal probably \n\n", Hset);
                 popError();
                 break;
@@ -324,9 +325,8 @@ int main()
         printf("Critical Dens     = %10.3g kg/m3\n", w->critDensity());
 
         delete w;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         Cantera::appdelete();
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/cathermo/wtWater/wtWater.cpp b/test_problems/cathermo/wtWater/wtWater.cpp
index cce890e84..f7083b62d 100644
--- a/test_problems/cathermo/wtWater/wtWater.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cathermo/wtWater/wtWater.cpp
@@ -102,9 +102,8 @@ int main()
         printf("---------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n");
 
         delete w;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         Cantera::appdelete();
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/cxx_ex/examples.cpp b/test_problems/cxx_ex/examples.cpp
index 8cca3de3c..d078fc0a3 100644
--- a/test_problems/cxx_ex/examples.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cxx_ex/examples.cpp
@@ -76,8 +76,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         }
 
         return 0;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cerr);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
         cerr << "program terminating." << endl;
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/cxx_ex/kinetics_example1.cpp b/test_problems/cxx_ex/kinetics_example1.cpp
index 4e5cfdcd2..7d3f8e2ed 100644
--- a/test_problems/cxx_ex/kinetics_example1.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cxx_ex/kinetics_example1.cpp
@@ -109,8 +109,8 @@ int kinetics_example1(int job)
     }
 
     // handle exceptions thrown by Cantera
-    catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         cout << " terminating... " << endl;
         appdelete();
         return -1;
diff --git a/test_problems/cxx_ex/kinetics_example2.cpp b/test_problems/cxx_ex/kinetics_example2.cpp
index 9cc38fc37..af590bfa8 100644
--- a/test_problems/cxx_ex/kinetics_example2.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cxx_ex/kinetics_example2.cpp
@@ -100,8 +100,8 @@ int kinetics_example2(int job)
     }
 
     // handle exceptions thrown by Cantera
-    catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(std::cout);
+    catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         std::cout << " terminating... " << std::endl;
         appdelete();
         return -1;
diff --git a/test_problems/cxx_ex/kinetics_example3.cpp b/test_problems/cxx_ex/kinetics_example3.cpp
index c8d874017..683606f13 100644
--- a/test_problems/cxx_ex/kinetics_example3.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cxx_ex/kinetics_example3.cpp
@@ -108,8 +108,8 @@ int kinetics_example3(int job)
     }
 
     // handle exceptions thrown by Cantera
-    catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         cout << " terminating... " << endl;
         appdelete();
         return -1;
diff --git a/test_problems/cxx_ex/rxnpath_example1.cpp b/test_problems/cxx_ex/rxnpath_example1.cpp
index dc4bdf340..51b343470 100644
--- a/test_problems/cxx_ex/rxnpath_example1.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cxx_ex/rxnpath_example1.cpp
@@ -150,8 +150,8 @@ int rxnpath_example1(int job)
     }
 
     // handle exceptions thrown by Cantera
-    catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         cout << " terminating... " << endl;
         appdelete();
         return -1;
diff --git a/test_problems/cxx_ex/transport_example1.cpp b/test_problems/cxx_ex/transport_example1.cpp
index 51fccb72e..62d4c3a7f 100644
--- a/test_problems/cxx_ex/transport_example1.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cxx_ex/transport_example1.cpp
@@ -97,8 +97,8 @@ int transport_example1(int job)
     }
 
     // handle exceptions thrown by Cantera
-    catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         cout << " terminating... " << endl;
         appdelete();
         return -1;
diff --git a/test_problems/cxx_ex/transport_example2.cpp b/test_problems/cxx_ex/transport_example2.cpp
index cb16798e7..67910658f 100644
--- a/test_problems/cxx_ex/transport_example2.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/cxx_ex/transport_example2.cpp
@@ -99,8 +99,8 @@ int transport_example2(int job)
     }
 
     // handle exceptions thrown by Cantera
-    catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         cout << " terminating... " << endl;
         appdelete();
         return -1;
diff --git a/test_problems/diamondSurf/runDiamond.cpp b/test_problems/diamondSurf/runDiamond.cpp
index d323f42cc..c92d069bf 100644
--- a/test_problems/diamondSurf/runDiamond.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/diamondSurf/runDiamond.cpp
@@ -147,8 +147,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
                  << "   "
                  << x[k] << endl;
         }
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
     }
 
     return 0;
diff --git a/test_problems/diamondSurf_dupl/runDiamondDupl.cpp b/test_problems/diamondSurf_dupl/runDiamondDupl.cpp
index 15f736c4c..af14881e3 100644
--- a/test_problems/diamondSurf_dupl/runDiamondDupl.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/diamondSurf_dupl/runDiamondDupl.cpp
@@ -237,8 +237,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
 
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
+        return -1;
     }
 
     return 0;
diff --git a/test_problems/fracCoeff/fracCoeff.cpp b/test_problems/fracCoeff/fracCoeff.cpp
index 68fb2e23e..b09895d61 100644
--- a/test_problems/fracCoeff/fracCoeff.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/fracCoeff/fracCoeff.cpp
@@ -163,8 +163,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         appdelete();
 
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
+        return -1;
     }
 
     return 0;
diff --git a/test_problems/mixGasTransport/mixGasTransport.cpp b/test_problems/mixGasTransport/mixGasTransport.cpp
index 88b2bc51e..62521cc7b 100644
--- a/test_problems/mixGasTransport/mixGasTransport.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/mixGasTransport/mixGasTransport.cpp
@@ -241,8 +241,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         }
 
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
+        return -1;
     }
 
     return 0;
diff --git a/test_problems/multiGasTransport/multiGasTransport.cpp b/test_problems/multiGasTransport/multiGasTransport.cpp
index 6de06627a..c8c93f85f 100644
--- a/test_problems/multiGasTransport/multiGasTransport.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/multiGasTransport/multiGasTransport.cpp
@@ -262,8 +262,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         }
 
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
+        return -1;
     }
 
     return 0;
diff --git a/test_problems/negATest/negATest.cpp b/test_problems/negATest/negATest.cpp
index 4d4f23533..203dc6b79 100644
--- a/test_problems/negATest/negATest.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/negATest/negATest.cpp
@@ -91,8 +91,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
 
         return 0;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cerr);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
         cerr << "program terminating." << endl;
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/pureFluidTest/testPureWater.cpp b/test_problems/pureFluidTest/testPureWater.cpp
index 07285ac32..5b9be6662 100644
--- a/test_problems/pureFluidTest/testPureWater.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/pureFluidTest/testPureWater.cpp
@@ -184,9 +184,8 @@ int main()
         printf("Critical Dens     = %10.3g kg/m3\n", w->critDensity());
 
         delete w;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-
-        showErrors();
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         Cantera::appdelete();
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/rankine_democxx/rankine.cpp b/test_problems/rankine_democxx/rankine.cpp
index 793780d0a..77bdfebf6 100644
--- a/test_problems/rankine_democxx/rankine.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/rankine_democxx/rankine.cpp
@@ -86,8 +86,8 @@ int main()
 #endif
     try {
         return openRankine(0, 0);
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
         return -1;
     }
 }
diff --git a/test_problems/silane_equil/silane_equil.cpp b/test_problems/silane_equil/silane_equil.cpp
index de7aa490b..c5ddd4995 100644
--- a/test_problems/silane_equil/silane_equil.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/silane_equil/silane_equil.cpp
@@ -20,8 +20,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         equilibrate(g, "TP");
         cout << g;
         return 0;
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cerr);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cerr << err.what() << std::endl;
         cerr << "program terminating." << endl;
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/test_problems/surfSolverTest/surfaceSolver.cpp b/test_problems/surfSolverTest/surfaceSolver.cpp
index c9cbc7111..35b3bee32 100644
--- a/test_problems/surfSolverTest/surfaceSolver.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/surfSolverTest/surfaceSolver.cpp
@@ -450,8 +450,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         surfPhaseTP = 0;
         delete xc;
         appdelete();
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
     }
 
     return 0;
diff --git a/test_problems/surfSolverTest/surfaceSolver2.cpp b/test_problems/surfSolverTest/surfaceSolver2.cpp
index 9d8ed1236..82f6c39cf 100644
--- a/test_problems/surfSolverTest/surfaceSolver2.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/surfSolverTest/surfaceSolver2.cpp
@@ -487,8 +487,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         surfPhaseTP2 = 0;
         delete xc;
         appdelete();
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
     }
 
     return 0;
diff --git a/test_problems/surfkin/surfdemo.cpp b/test_problems/surfkin/surfdemo.cpp
index c40a01dda..1de7bc8a8 100644
--- a/test_problems/surfkin/surfdemo.cpp
+++ b/test_problems/surfkin/surfdemo.cpp
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ int main()
             cout << surf.speciesName(k) << "   "
                  << wdot[k+gas.nSpecies()] << endl;
 
-    } catch (CanteraError) {
-        showErrors(cout);
+    } catch (CanteraError& err) {
+        std::cout << err.what() << std::endl;
     }
     return 0;
 }