The MYLES: A Stalwart of Great Lakes Maritime History

Identification & Site Information

Vessel Name: MYLES (also known as CATARACT and THERESE T.)

• • Registry: Canadian
• • Official Number: 77698
• • Built By: Archibald M. Robertson
• • Place of Construction: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
• • Year Built: 1882

Dimensions & Capacity

• • Length: 175 feet (53.3 meters)
• • Beam: 33.6 feet (10.2 meters)
• • Depth: 14.6 feet (4.4 meters)
• • Gross Tonnage: 1,199 tons
• • Net Tonnage: 742 tons

Vessel Type Description

The MYLES was a package freighter, designed for transporting cargo such as barrels, crates, and other unitized goods. With a robust oak Hull reinforced by iron frames, the vessel was well-suited to the harsh conditions of Great Lakes shipping. Its compound engine with Screw Propulsion delivered 465 horsepower, making it both a practical and powerful addition to the regional trade network.

History

The MYLES, launched on September 2, 1882, served as a vital link in Great Lakes commerce. Registered in Hamilton, Ontario, it began its career chartered by the Western Express Line, operating routes between major ports like Duluth, Port Arthur, and Montreal. Its operational history reflects the tumultuous conditions and evolving demands of Great Lakes shipping:

• • 1885: A boiler explosion in Duluth resulted in two fatalities, a stark reminder of the hazards of early steam technology.
• • 1886: Wrecked on Hare Island, Lake Ontario, but successfully refloated and repaired.
• • 1893: Lost its rudder near Cabot Head, Georgian Bay, requiring emergency assistance.
• • 1904: Sank after a collision with the THOMAS CRANAGE on Russell Island in the St. Clair River, only to be salvaged and Rebuilt.
• • 1906: Sold to Cataract Ice Co. and converted into a screw steam Barge, renamed CATARACT.
• • 1918: Received new engines and revised tonnage after extensive reengineering, reflecting the vessel’s adaptability to changing industrial needs.

Later in its career, the MYLES transitioned to a Schooner Barge and served in this capacity until being Abandoned in Kingston, Ontario, in 1945.

Final Disposition

After decades of service and numerous transformations, the MYLES was Abandoned at Kingston’s Canadian Dredge & Dock Co. Wharf in 1945. By 1965, the Hull remained intact in the inner harbor, a lingering relic of the once-thriving maritime industry.

Resources & Links

• • Great Lakes Ships Database: Comprehensive records on Great Lakes vessels.
• • Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Documentation of the region’s shipping heritage.
• • Canada Steamship Line Archives: Archival materials related to Canadian maritime enterprises.

Analysis

The MYLES exemplifies the resilience and versatility of Great Lakes freighters. From its original role as a package freighter to its later life as a coal Barge, the ship adapted to meet the region’s industrial needs. The vessel’s multiple repairs and rebuilds highlight the practical ingenuity of its operators in overcoming the Great Lakes’ harsh conditions.

Its abandonment and prolonged presence in Kingston’s harbor serve as a poignant reminder of the decline of many such ships as they became obsolete. Today, the MYLES stands as a testament to the dynamic history of Great Lakes shipping and the enduring legacy of its maritime pioneers.

Keywords

Steamer, MYLES, CATARACT, THERESE T., Kingston, Great Lakes, Maritime History, Freighter, Shipwreck, Canada