Robert Meginnity, a Detroit-based businessman, acquired the Columbian sometime after its initial years in service. Detroit was a major center for shipping and industry on the Great Lakes, and Meginnity’s ownership of the vessel positioned him within the region’s vital trade network. Under Meginnity’s stewardship, the Columbian faced a series of challenges common to Great Lakes vessels of the period, including collisions and groundings, as it transported lumber, grain, and other bulk cargo between major lake ports.
Meginnity’s ownership marked a significant period in the vessel’s history, as he continued to use the Columbian for heavy cargo transport on the Great Lakes. His operations contributed to Detroit’s economic activity and the broader trade network that connected ports across Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and beyond. In 1876, during Meginnity’s ownership, the Columbian made a noteworthy voyage from Alpena, Michigan, to England with a lumber cargo, underscoring the vessel’s versatility and durability even after years of service on the lakes.
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