Steamer Byron Trerice (1882–1893)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Byron Trerice
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: C83028
• Vessel Type at Loss: Wooden Propeller Steamer (passenger & package freight)
• Builder: William Peck, Dresden, Ontario
• Year Built & Launched: 1882
• Specifications:  Length: 102 ft (31.1 m)  Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m)  Depth: 9 ft (2.7 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 268 GT
• Net Tonnage: 168 NT
• Date Lost: September 2, 1893
• Location of Loss: Leamington, Ontario, Lake Erie
• Cause of Loss: Fire (at dock, likely accidental)
• Loss of Life: 3 (two crewmen trapped in flames, one drowned attempting to escape)
• Cargo at Time of Loss: None (probably docked and unloaded)

Vessel Description & Service History

The Byron Trerice was a Canadian-built wooden Steamer, launched in 1882 at Dresden, Ontario by William Peck.

• Built as a passenger Steamer, she also carried package freight, likely serving routes along Lake Erie’s Ontario shoreline.
• Registered out of Wallaceburg, Ontario, she was owned by W.D. McCrae and commanded by Captain D.F. McCrae.
• Operated in the busy cross-border trade between Canadian and U.S. ports, possibly running routes between Leamington, Windsor, and Detroit.

Final Voyage & Loss (September 2, 1893)

The Byron Trerice met a tragic end while docked at Leamington, Ontario.  A fire broke out onboard from unknown causes. The flames spread rapidly, consuming the vessel before firefighting efforts could control it. Two crew members were trapped and perished in the fire, while a third crewman jumped overboard in an attempt to escape but drowned. The vessel was quickly destroyed, leaving only a burned-out Hull. In November 1899, a salvage expedition assessed the wreck, but wave action had severely damaged the remains, making recovery impossible.

Final Disposition & Salvage

• Declared a Total Loss after the fire.
• Remains were left in place at the Leamington dock.
• Wreck damage was assessed in 1899, but no salvage was attempted.
• No known modern discovery of the wreck.
• Likely remains buried or deteriorated near the Leamington waterfront.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• Dockside fires were a major hazard for wooden steamers, especially when left unattended or fueled by flammable cargo.
• Leamington, Ontario, was an active port in the late 19th century, serving as a hub for Great Lakes passenger and freight transport.
• The rapid spread of fire suggests the presence of oil, coal, or other flammable materials onboard.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Maritime Database (GLMD): https://greatlakeships.org
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org
• Great Lakes Vessel Database (BGSU): https://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessels

Conclusion

The Byron Trerice was a reliable Lake Erie passenger and freight Steamer, lost in a tragic fire at Leamington, Ontario, in 1893. Three crew members perished, and the wreck was beyond salvage by 1899. While her remains have not been located, she remains one of the many Great Lakes vessels lost to fire, a common hazard for wooden steamships of the era.