Identification & Site Information

• Name: GEORGIAN
• Former Names: None reported
• Registration Number: 80596 (Official Canada Number)
• Date Built and Launched: 1864
• Builder: Potter & Co., Matchadash (Severn River), Ontario
• Measurements: Length: 130 ft (39.62 m) Beam: 21.8 ft (6.65 m) Depth: 11.5 ft (3.51 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 377 tons
• Net Tonnage: 227 tons
• Date Lost: May 9, 1888
• Final Valuation: $8,000 (at time of loss)

Vessel Type

Wooden propeller-driven steam Barge (originally a Propeller Steamer).

Description

The GEORGIAN was initially constructed as a wooden Propeller Steamer in 1864 by Potter & Co. in Matchadash, Ontario, near Georgian Bay. Originally designed as a steam-powered vessel, it was later converted into a steambarge, reflecting a common adaptation for aging ships to prolong their utility in the coal and freight trade. The vessel underwent significant overhauls during its lifetime, most notably in 1880 when it was Rebuilt in St. Catharines, Ontario, by the renowned shipbuilder Louis Shickluna.

History

The GEORGIAN’s storied career on the Great Lakes began with intrigue, having been purchased by a Confederate agent during the U.S. Civil War, for use as a commercial raider on Lakes Huron and Erie. However, the Canadian government seized the vessel in 1867, halting any such plans. Over the years, it was owned by several different companies, including the Port Stanley Railroad Co., North Shore Transportation Co., and eventually, the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Throughout its life, the GEORGIAN experienced numerous incidents, including fires near Buffalo, New York, and Ogdensburg, New York, in the 1870s. The ship frequently ran aground or suffered mechanical failures, highlighting the hazards of Great Lakes navigation in that era. Despite these setbacks, the vessel was repeatedly salvaged, Rebuilt, and returned to service.

By 1888, under the ownership of Captain A. Thompson, who also served as its captain, the GEORGIAN was hauling coal between Huron, Ohio, and Owen Sound, Ontario, for the Toronto-based firm Smith & Keighley. This would prove to be its final voyage.

Final Disposition

On May 9, 1888, while en route from Huron, Ohio, to Owen Sound, Ontario, the GEORGIAN encountered treacherous ice conditions in Georgian Bay. According to reports from the Port Huron Daily Times and Meaford Monitor, the vessel became trapped in thick ice off Cape Rich, approximately 20 miles from Owen Sound. The ice punctured the Hull, causing the ship to sink rapidly in about 300 feet (91.44 m) of water, roughly eight miles northeast of Meaford.

The crew managed to escape aboard the GEORGIAN’s consort, the Schooner GOLDHUNTER (also referred to as GOLDEN HUNTE in some sources). Despite efforts to pump out the water and salvage the vessel, it sank within 45 minutes of the first signs of flooding. The crew lost most of their personal belongings, but the ship’s papers were saved.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return. No confirmed discovery or exploration of the wreck site has been reported. The vessel is believed to lie in 300 feet (91.44 m) of water northeast of Meaford, Ontario.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil return. No official navigational hazards or obstructions related to the wreck have been marked in the area.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The sinking of the GEORGIAN highlights the persistent danger posed by ice in the Great Lakes, even late into the spring. Its loss reflects both the resilience and vulnerability of wooden steamers and barges operating in the harsh and unpredictable conditions of the lakes. The detailed firsthand accounts from the ship’s engineers provide a vivid picture of the final moments of the vessel, offering valuable insight into 19th-century maritime operations and disaster response.