Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: M. 16. D. (presumed name)

•Year of Build: Not specified

•Built At: Not specified

•Type: Tugboat (presumed)

•Hull Materials: Not specified

•Number of Decks: 1

•Dimensions:

•Length: Not specified

•Beam: Not specified

•Tonnage (Gross): Not specified

Vessel Type Description

The M. 16. D. is presumed to have been a Tugboat based on its described function. Tugboats were essential in the 19th century for assisting larger vessels with navigation, towing, and maneuvering through narrow or busy waterways. Their small size and powerful engines allowed them to perform critical support roles in maritime commerce and transportation.

History

Although specific details about the construction, ownership, and operations of the M. 16. D. are unclear, it likely served as a Tugboat, supporting the bustling shipping industry of the Great Lakes and nearby waterways. Tugboats like the M. 16. D. were indispensable for managing the heavy traffic of cargo and passenger ships in the 19th century.

The vessel met a tragic end in August 1878, when it burned alongside another vessel, the Lincoln, at an unspecified location. The incident was documented in the 1878 Sessional Papers, which noted the destruction of both vessels. Fires were a common hazard for wooden-hulled ships of this era, often spreading rapidly and causing complete loss.

Final Disposition

The M. 16. D. was destroyed in a fire in August 1878, alongside the vessel Lincoln. The exact cause of the fire and its location remain unspecified in historical records. The event highlights the vulnerability of 19th-century ships to catastrophic fires.

NOTMARs & Advisories

•No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are related to the M. 16. D. wreck.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical accounts of Great Lakes vessels and incidents.

•Ottawa Historical Archives: Further research opportunities into regional maritime history and tugboats of the period.

Keywords

M. 16. D., Tugboat, 19th-century maritime history, Sessional Papers, fire, Lincoln.

Conclusion

The M. 16. D. remains a vessel of mystery, with limited documentation available about its operational history or construction. Presumed to be a Tugboat, it likely contributed to the maritime infrastructure of its time, supporting the transportation and shipping industries. Its destruction in a fire in 1878 alongside the Lincoln underscores the risks faced by vessels of this era, particularly from fires that could quickly devastate wooden ships. Despite the lack of detailed records, the M. 16. D. is part of the broader narrative of Ontario’s maritime history, reflecting the challenges and contributions of tugboats during the 19th century.