Barge Two Brothers (*Originally C. B. Blair)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Two Brothers (originally built as C. B. Blair, renamed in 1867*)
• Other Names: C. B. Blair (original name)
• Official Number: 24398
• Vessel Type at Loss: Wooden Barge, two-masted (originally built as a Brig, later converted to a Schooner, then a Barge)
• Builder: Jourdan, Michigan City, Indiana
• Year Built & Launched: 1848
•  Specifications: Length: 103 ft (31.4 m)Beam: 24 ft (7.3 m)Depth: 9 ft (2.7 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 212 GT
• Date Lost: September 5, 1872
• Location of Loss: River Sydenham, near Wallaceburg, Ontario, Lake St. Clair
• Cause of Loss: Fire, Total Loss
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo at Time of Loss: None (laid up at dock, out of service)

Vessel Description & History

The Two Brothers was originally built as a Brig named C. B. Blair in 1848 at Michigan City, Indiana.  By 1863, she was converted into a Schooner. By 1870, she had been rigged as a Barge, reflecting the transition of many aging sailing vessels into unrigged freight carriers, typically towed by steamers. Renamed Two Brothers in 1867, she continued service in the Great Lakes bulk cargo trade, likely transporting lumber, coal, or other heavy materials.

By the early 1870s, the vessel had deteriorated and was declared unseaworthy, leading to her being laid up at a docknear Wallaceburg, Ontario on the Sydenham River, a tributary of Lake St. Clair.

Final Incident & Loss

On September 5, 1872, while out of service at dock, the Two Brothers caught fire and burned to a Total Loss. The cause of the fire is unknown, but vessel fires at dock were commonly caused by. Accidental ignition from a nearby source.  Sabotage or insurance fraud (a known issue with aging vessels).  Onboard equipment or materials catching fire.  Some reports suggest that she may have survived for a few more years, indicating that portions of the vessel may have been salvaged and used elsewhere.

Final Disposition & Salvage

• Declared a Total Loss after the fire.
• Possibly survived in some capacity, but no official records confirm continued service.
• No modern discovery of wreckage.

Located By & Date Found

No confirmed discovery of remains. Given that she burned at a river dock, any remnants would likely have been removed or deteriorated over time.

NOTMARs & Advisories

 The Sydenham River near Wallaceburg, Ontario, was historically a key timber and shipping route, meaning that vessel abandonment and fires were not uncommon.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• Great Lakes Maritime Database (GLMD): https://greatlakeships.org
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org
• Great Lakes Vessel Database (BGSU): https://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessels

Conclusion

The Two Brothers was a well-traveled Great Lakes vessel, beginning as a Brig, later a Schooner, and finally a Barge. By the time of her loss in 1872, she was no longer in active service and was destroyed by fire while docked near Wallaceburg, Ontario. While some reports hint at the possibility of continued use after the fire, no official records confirm her survival, making her another forgotten casualty of Great Lakes maritime history.