Identification & Site Information
- Name: also seen as Hamilton Mills
- Former Names: None
- Official Registration Number: 42662
- Date Built and Launched: Built in 1881 by R. Mills & Co., Buffalo, New York
- Measurements: Length: 160 ft (48.8 m) Beam: 32 ft (9.8 m) Depth: 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Gross Tonnage: 508.88 tons
- Net Tonnage: 483.44 tons
- Date Lost: August 29, 1893
- Place of Loss: Charlotte, NY, Lake Ontario
Vessel Type
The Hamilton Mills was a three-masted wooden schooner, designed for bulk cargo transportation across the Great Lakes. Schooners of this size were commonly used for hauling heavy commodities such as coal, grain, and lumber. Launched in 1881 from Buffalo, New York, the Hamilton Mills was a large, single-Deck Schooner with robust construction typical of Great Lakes freighters of the late 19th century. Her three-mast configuration and considerable cargo capacity made her a valuable asset in the regional bulk freight trade.
History
The Hamilton Mills had a notable operational history, marked by both successful voyages and maritime incidents:
1883: In December, the vessel encountered trouble near Sturgeon Point, Georgian Bay, where the crew had to be rescued following an incident. The vessel was subsequently repaired and returned to service.
1887: The Schooner was towed by the propeller Artic, reflecting the common practice of using steam-powered vessels to tow schooners when conditions required or to increase efficiency.
1889: In April, the Hamilton Mills was chartered by the Ogdensburg Transit Company, a key player in the Great Lakes shipping industry.
Final Voyage and Sinking (1893)
On August 29, 1893, the Hamilton Mills was in tow of the Tug David Proctor, along with the Schooner-barges William Wheeler and Jennie Matthews. The convoy was transporting coal across Lake Ontario when they were caught in a severe gale.
During the storm, the Towline arrangement failed, and the vessels were exposed to the full force of the wind and waves. The Hamilton Mills capsized and sank quickly in the rough conditions. Fortunately, the crew of the Hamilton Mills was rescued by the David Proctor, which managed to retrieve them from the water amidst the chaos.
The same storm also resulted in the sinking of the William Wheeler, which Foundered after her cargo shifted. The incident illustrates the perils faced by Schooner-barges and their towing vessels on the Great Lakes, especially when navigating in convoy during unpredictable weather.
Loss of Life
No lives were lost in the sinking of the Hamilton Mills, as the crew was successfully rescued by the Tug David Proctor.
Final Disposition
The Hamilton Mills sank in Lake Ontario on August 29, 1893. The vessel was declared a Total Loss, and there are no records indicating any significant salvage operations.
Located By & Date Found
Nil return.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No specific navigational warnings or obstructions related to the Hamilton Mills have been issued.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The loss of the Hamilton Mills underscores the vulnerability of large schooners operating in convoy on the Great Lakes during severe weather. While advances in steam power provided towing assistance, these vessels were still at the mercy of sudden gales and unpredictable lake conditions. The successful rescue of the crew by the David Proctor stands as a testament to the bravery and quick thinking of Great Lakes mariners. The incident forms part of a larger narrative about the dangers of maritime transport on Lake Ontario in the late 19th century.
Suggested Keywords: Hamilton Mills, Lake Ontario shipwrecks, Great Lakes schooners, coal transport shipwreck, David Proctor Tug, Ogdensburg Transit Co.
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario, Wooden Schooners of the Great Lakes, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Towing Operations.
Glossary Terms: Three-Masted Schooner, Capsizing, Towline Failure, Bulk Coal Transport, Great Lakes Gales.
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