TShipwreck Report: James Buckley
VESSEL IDENTIFICATION & DETAILS
- • Name: James Buckley
- • Type: Wooden Propeller Steam Tug
- • Official Number: 80910
- • Year Built: 1880
- • Builder: J. Prescott, Prescott, Ontario
- • Dimensions:
- • Length: 48 feet
- • Beam (Width): 10 feet
- • Depth: 3 feet
- • Gross Tonnage: 10 tons
- • Net Tonnage: 7 tons
- • Engine: high-pressure steam engine, 25 horsepower
HISTORY
The James Buckley served primarily as a small steam Tug on the Great Lakes. Despite its modest size, it played a vital role in towing and assisting larger vessels in busy ports like Port Dover and Port Stanley, Ontario.
Ownership Timeline:
1. 1882: Owned by Brown Bros., likely operating in towing or small freight services.
2. 1886: Ownership transferred to Ainsley & Tibbets of Port Dover, Ontario.
FINAL INCIDENT
• Date: November 20, 1890
• Location: Port Stanley Harbor, Lake Erie, Ontario
• Cause: Fire
• The vessel caught fire while in harbor and was completely destroyed.
• The origin of the fire is not documented.
• Outcome:
• The James Buckley was declared a Total Loss.
• No records are available regarding loss of life or any cargo being carried at the time.
SIGNIFICANCE
The destruction of the James Buckley serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of wooden vessels to fire, a common hazard in the 19th century. Despite its small size and localized operations, the Tug was a key component of the maritime infrastructure, aiding the commerce and transportation networks of the Great Lakes.
POTENTIAL WRECK INFORMATION
• Wreck Location: Likely within the harbor of Port Stanley, Ontario.
• Depth: Not specified but likely shallow due to its location in harbor waters.
• Current Condition: Given its destruction by fire, remnants would primarily consist of charred timbers and possibly parts of the steam engine.
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