Identification & Site Information

Name: Lizzie Bell (also referred to as Lizzie Belle)

Type: Scow Schooner

Builder: G. W. Johnston, Marine City, Michigan

Year Built: 1866

Hull Material: Wood

Decks: Single Deck

Dimensions: Length 76.6 feet (23.4 meters), Beam 14.3 feet (4.4 meters), Depth 5.8 feet (1.8 meters)

Gross Tonnage: 59.34 tons

Original Owners: Moses Rogers and associates, Marine City, Michigan

Enrollment Location: Port Huron, Michigan

History

The Lizzie Bell was launched in 1866, serving as a scow Schooner for transporting cargo on the Great Lakes. A typical vessel of its type and time, it was compact and utilitarian, designed for economic transport of goods. Scow schooners like the Lizzie Bell were common in the mid-19th century, often employed in short-haul routes and shallow waters.

The Lizzie Bell’s operational life was marked by modest service under her original owners, Moses Rogers and his partners. On October 15, 1866, the vessel was enrolled in Port Huron, Michigan, becoming part of the bustling maritime activity in the region.

Final Voyage & Loss

Details surrounding the wreck of the Lizzie Bell remain unclear and are subject to conflicting reports:

•Date of Loss: Some sources suggest the vessel was wrecked in 1870, while others place the loss in 1878.

•Fate of Crew & Cargo: No records have been uncovered that detail the fate of the crew or the nature of the cargo aboard the vessel during its final voyage.

•Enrollment Closure: The vessel’s enrollment was surrendered on December 19, 1878, at Port Huron, with an official note stating it had been wrecked in 1870.

The lack of definitive records and the conflicting dates of the wreck have left the Lizzie Bell’s end shrouded in mystery. Whether the vessel was wrecked in the earlier or later date, it seems her career was relatively short-lived.

Current Condition

There is no documentation confirming the discovery of the Lizzie Bell’s wreck site. It remains unlocated, and any potential remnants are likely to be minimal due to the small size of the vessel and the natural decay processes affecting wooden ships of this era.

Significance

The Lizzie Bell represents a class of small, economical cargo vessels that were integral to the development of commerce on the Great Lakes. Though modest in size and construction, vessels like the Lizzie Bell played a critical role in transporting goods and supporting the burgeoning economy of the region during the mid-19th century.

Sources & External Links

•Great Lakes Ships Database: Lizzie Bell Entry

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive archive on Great Lakes shipwrecks

•Richard Tatley’s “Steamboat Era in the Muskokas”: Offers historical context on 19th-century shipping in the region.

Keywords

Lizzie Bell, Lizzie Belle, Scow Schooner, Marine City Michigan, Port Huron, Great Lakes Shipwreck, Moses Rogers, 19th-Century Maritime History.

Analysis:

The Lizzie Bell’s history is emblematic of the challenges faced by small cargo vessels on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Its uncertain demise and lack of definitive records add to the intrigue, making it a vessel of interest for maritime historians and researchers exploring the development of regional trade and transportation.