Shipwreck Report: LOTHAIR (1872)

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Identification & Site Information

• Name: LOTHAIR
• Official Number: 71170
• Type at Loss: Steam Barge (later Rebuilt as a Barge)
• Date Built and Launched: 1872
• Builder: A. Simpson, St. Catharines, Ontario
• Measurements (Original): 130 ft (39.6 m) length, 24 ft (7.3 m) beam; 351 gross tons
• Rebuild: In 1878, modified dimensions to 130 ft x 23 ft x 12 ft and increased tonnage to 413 tons

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Vessel Type

Steam Barge (converted to Barge post-1891)

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Description

The LOTHAIR was a screw-propelled steam Barge, constructed in 1872 by A. Simpson in St. Catharines, Ontario. Steam barges like the LOTHAIR were workhorses of the Great Lakes during the late 19th century, primarily engaged in the transport of bulk goods such as iron ore, coal, grain, and lumber. The vessel’s dimensions of 130 feet in length and 351 gross tons made her well-suited for operations across the Georgian Bay and Upper Great Lakes.

In 1878, the LOTHAIR was Rebuilt, resulting in a slight reduction in beam but an increase in tonnage to 413 tons, suggesting improvements to her cargo-carrying capacity or structural reinforcement.

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History

The LOTHAIR served multiple owners throughout her operational life. Initially, she was owned by the Huron & Ontario Transportation Co. in 1877, which utilized her for transporting goods in the Georgian Bay and Upper Lakes regions. By 1880, she was sold to J. C. Miller of Parry Sound, where she continued to operate under the same trade routes.

The LOTHAIR was a familiar sight on Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, and Lake Superior, often towing schooners laden with bulk cargoes. She played a crucial role in the iron ore trade, a fact underscored by her involvement in the foundering of the Schooner HURON in 1890, which sank off Point Pelee while under tow by the LOTHAIR.

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Final Incidents and Loss

On August 21, 1891, the LOTHAIR was badly damaged in a storm in Georgian Bay. The extent of the damage is unclear, but it was significant enough to affect her seaworthiness. Following this incident, the vessel was converted from a steam Barge to a non-powered Barge, suggesting that her machinery may have been beyond economical repair.

Her final fate came on February 1, 1893, when the LOTHAIR was destroyed by fire while moored in Windsor, Ontario. The cause of the fire remains unreported, but fires were a frequent hazard for wooden vessels, particularly those converted to barges and left unattended or inadequately maintained.

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Final Disposition

Destroyed by fire on February 1, 1893, at Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The vessel was a Total Loss and was not Rebuilt after the fire.

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Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no reports of the LOTHAIR‘s wreck being located, as the vessel was likely destroyed beyond salvage in the fire.

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NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the LOTHAIR.

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Resources & Links

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

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Conclusion

The LOTHAIR exemplifies the hard-working steam barges that powered the Great Lakes shipping industry during the late 19th century. Operating primarily in the Georgian Bay and Upper Great Lakes, the vessel contributed to the transportation of vital industrial materials like iron ore and lumber. After suffering significant storm damage in 1891, she was relegated to Barge service, reflecting a common practice of extending the useful life of aging steamers. Her destruction by fire in 1893 marked the end of a vessel that had served the region’s growing industries for over two decades.

The LOTHAIR‘s involvement in notable maritime incidents, such as the foundering of the Schooner HURON, cements her place in the maritime history of the Great Lakes. Her story highlights the challenges faced by mariners and the inherent dangers of Great Lakes navigation, from violent storms to the ever-present threat of fire.

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Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: LOTHAIR steam Barge shipwreck, Georgian Bay steam Barge history, Windsor Ontario maritime fire, Huron & Ontario Transportation Co., Parry Sound shipowners
• Categories: Georgian Bay Shipwrecks, Steam Barges, Fire-Related Shipwrecks, Converted Barges, Late 19th Century Maritime Losses
• Glossary Terms:
• Steam Barge: A powered cargo vessel designed for use on inland waterways, often towing schooners or barges.
• Rebuilt: A process of extensively modifying a vessel’s structure, often to increase capacity, improve performance, or repair damage.
• Foundered: A maritime term meaning the vessel sank, usually due to weather, structural failure, or cargo issues.