Identification & Site Information

• Name: Grace Dormer
• Type: Propeller Steamer / Ferry Boat
• Builder: Mr. Osman, Buffalo, New York
• Year Built: 1868
• Owner: Great Western Railway Co.
• Dimensions:
  • Keel Length: 78 feet (23.8 m)
  • Beam: 18 feet (5.5 m)
  • Depth of Hold: 5 feet 10 inches (1.8 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 100 tons
• Engine Specifications:
  • Bore: 13 inches (33 cm)
  • Stroke: 10 inches (25 cm)

Vessel Type and Role

The Grace Dormer was a propeller-driven Steamer, purpose-built to serve as a Ferry boat for the Great Western Railway Co. Her role was to shuttle passengers and cargo between Buffalo, New York, and Fort Erie, Ontario, forming an essential link in the region’s growing transportation network. With a capacity for over 200 passengers, she played a critical role in facilitating cross-border movement and commerce.

Historical Incidents

Fire at Beaver Island (July 3, 1872)

While docked at Beaver Island, the Grace Dormer was consumed by a devastating fire:

•Casualties: One crew member, a wheelsman, tragically perished.

•Outcome: The vessel was salvaged and Rebuilt in Port Huron, demonstrating the resilience of the maritime community and the value placed on this critical Ferry boat.

Rebuilding and Return to Service (June 25, 1873)

After her reconstruction in Port Huron, the Grace Dormer resumed operations, towing and transporting passengers across the Great Lakes.

Collision with Tug Frank Moffatt (July 1, 1883)

The Grace Dormer experienced another dramatic event when she collided with the Tug Frank Moffatt near the mouth of Black River, Port Huron:

•Cause: Despite Capt. Thomas’s efforts to maneuver and avoid the collision, the vessels collided.

•Damage: The Grace Dormer sustained damage to her wooden Hull and began to take on water.

•Evacuation: Passengers, including women, were safely evacuated due to the captain’s decisive actions.

•Final Position: The Steamer settled in 13 feet (4 m) of water at McMorran’s Dock in Black River.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The Grace Dormer stands as an example of the challenges and resilience of Great Lakes vessels during the late 19th century. Serving as a Ferry boat, her contribution to regional commerce and cross-border transportation was significant. Her ability to rise from disaster and return to service underscores the determination of maritime industries and the vital role these vessels played in supporting the economic and social fabric of the Great Lakes region.

Geographic Coordinates

•42.983892, -79.007038

•This location is near Fort Erie, Ontario, aligning with the operational area of the Grace Dormer in her Ferry service between Buffalo, New York, and Fort Erie.

The Grace Dormer’s maritime journey, marked by both adversity and resilience, continued for several decades. However, her ultimate fate was sealed in 1925 when she was Abandoned and left to decay in a boneyard at Buffalo, New York, before eventually being consumed by flames.

The story of the Grace Dormer is a testament to the challenges faced by vessels navigating the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes. It also underscores the courage and resourcefulness of the sailors and captains who braved these waters, and the communities that depended on these vessels for their livelihoods.

Sources and External Links – References

• Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, May 18, 1868
• Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, July 9, 1872
• Buffalo Evening Post, July 10, 1872
• J.W. Hall Great Lakes Marine Scrapbook, July 1883
• Merchant Vessel List, U.S., 1885
• Article by James Donahue
• Great Lakes Ships Website – Collection of C. Patrick Labadie
• William MacDonald Collection, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Detroit
• Loudon G. Wilson
• Lytle List Great Lakes Ships Website
• Steamboat Era in the Muskokas by Richard Tatley
• Peter J. VanderLinden – Alpena Public Library
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Bowling Green State University Website
• Mapping Great Lakes Shipwrecks – Jack Grove (location)
• Port Hope History (Facebook)