Darius Cole and Others – Final Owners and Conversion to Tug

Darius Cole and his partners became the final owners of the Columbia around 1861. By this time, the vessel had endured numerous incidents and repairs, leading Cole and his associates to convert the Columbia from a passenger and freight steamer to a tug. This conversion allowed the vessel to continue in service on the Great Lakes, providing a valuable role in towing and river navigation.

Under Cole’s ownership, the Columbia continued to serve in its modified capacity until it was eventually abandoned and wrecked in 1862. Cole and his partners represent a practical approach to vessel management at the time, adapting older vessels to new roles when they were no longer viable for their original purpose. This flexibility reflects a common practice in the 19th-century Great Lakes maritime industry, where vessels were often repurposed to extend their operational life.