Identification & Site Information

• Name: Elijah Windsor
• Other Names: Often recorded as E. Windsor
• Official Registration Number: C100121
• Date Built and Launched: Built in 1871 by W. Folsom, Wallaceburg or Sombra, Ontario
• Measurements: Length: 85 ft (25.9 m) Beam: 22 ft (6.7 m) Depth: 5 ft (1.5 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 85 tons
• Net Tonnage: 58 tons
• Date Lost: November 10, 1901
• Place of Loss: Port Huron, Michigan, St. Clair River

Vessel Type

The Elijah Windsor was a wooden-hulled, propeller-driven lumber hooker, a vessel type specifically designed to transport lumber and timber products across the Great Lakes and their connected waterways. Built in 1871 by W. Folsom in either Wallaceburg or Sombra, Ontario, the Elijah Windsor was a small, shallow-Draft vessel optimized for navigating the narrow rivers and shallow harbors common in the lumber trade. Known as a lumber hooker, this type of vessel was designed to haul lumber from remote ports to larger markets, playing a crucial role in the booming timber industry of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

History

• The Elijah Windsor had an eventful operational history, marked by multiple incidents that tested the vessel’s resilience:
• In June 1896, the vessel suffered heavy damage from a fire. While the specifics of the fire are not well-documented, it was significant enough to require extensive repairs. Despite this setback, the vessel returned to service, demonstrating her continued value to her owners.
• The Elijah Windsor underwent a significant Rebuild in 1899, likely addressing not only the fire damage from 1896 but also general wear and tear accumulated over nearly three decades of service.
• On November 12, 1900, the vessel reportedly sank near the Wolverine Drydock in Port Huron, Michigan, while carrying a load of sand. Although she was initially declared a Total Loss, the vessel was successfully dragged into the drydock and repaired, allowing her to return to service. This incident highlights the challenges faced by aging wooden vessels, particularly as they handled heavy cargoes like sand and lumber.
• Despite surviving previous mishaps, the Elijah Windsor met her final fate on November 10, 1901, in Port Huron, Michigan. The vessel experienced a Hull failure—a common issue for wooden ships of her age—and sank in the St. Clair River. She was again reported as a Total Loss in official records. However, there is some ambiguity regarding whether this sinking was a misreporting of the 1900 incident or a separate event entirely. Given the vessel’s troubled history and aging wooden structure, a second, irreparable sinking seems plausible.

Ownership

The vessel was probably owned by W.G. Scott of Wallaceburg, Ontario, at the time of her final loss. Ownership by local lumber merchants like Scott was typical for lumber hookers, which were essential for transporting timber products to larger shipping hubs.

Loss of Life

No lives were lost in either the 1900 or 1901 incidents, a fortunate outcome given the vessel’s history of mishaps.

Final Disposition

The Elijah Windsor sank in the St. Clair River near Port Huron in November 1901, and was declared a Total Loss. There is no record of salvage attempts following this final incident.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No specific navigational warnings or obstructions related to the Elijah Windsor have been issued, though the St. Clair River remains a busy and historically significant shipping channel.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Maritime Database
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The Elijah Windsor exemplifies the challenges faced by wooden lumber hookers in the Great Lakes shipping industry. Despite multiple rebuilds and repairs following fire damage and sinking incidents, the vessel ultimately succumbed to Hull failure after 30 years of service. Her history highlights the resilience of Great Lakes mariners and the vessels that powered the region’s timber industry. The ambiguity surrounding her final loss reflects the sometimes inconsistent record-keeping of maritime incidents from this period.

Suggested Keywords: Elijah Windsor, Port Huron shipwrecks, St. Clair River lumber hookers, Great Lakes wooden propeller vessels, Wolverine Drydock, Great Lakes timber trade.

Categories: Shipwrecks of the St. Clair River, Wooden Propeller Vessels, Great Lakes Lumber Trade, 19th Century Maritime Disasters.

Glossary Terms: Lumber Hooker, Hull Failure, Wolverine Drydock, Fire Damage in Wooden Vessels, St. Clair River Shipwrecks.