Shotline Diving - The Great Lakes GotoMelvin S. Bacon C 140964

History of the Schooner Barge MELVIN S. BACON

Construction and Specifications

The MELVIN S. BACON was a wooden Schooner Barge built in 1874 in Vermilion, Ohio. Originally designed for Great Lakes trade, it was a robust vessel constructed to transport bulk goods efficiently. Key specifications during its early years included:

•Gross Tonnage: 614 tons

•Net Tonnage: 584 tons

•Dimensions: 182.0 feet in length, 33.5 feet in width, and 13.6 feet in depth

•Crew: 6 members

•Home Port: Cleveland, Ohio

Career in the United States

The Schooner Barge primarily served the Great Lakes region, functioning as a cargo vessel for the burgeoning industries along these waterways. Over its U.S. career, the MELVIN S. BACON experienced its share of challenges:

1.1905 Incident:

On September 24-25, 1905, the vessel went ashore near Ashland, Wisconsin, on Lake Superior. The accident led to a devastating fire, and the ship was declared a Total Loss. Despite this designation, the Schooner Barge was salvaged, repaired, and returned to service.

2.1915 Collision:

On November 16, 1915, while navigating the Detroit River near Grassy Island, the MELVIN S. BACON was rammed and sunk by the Steamer Joseph Sellwood. The vessel was empty at the time, and no casualties were reported. The collision led to its abandonment as a Total Loss, and the U.S. government contracted to recover the wreck.

Canadian Ownership and Rebuild

In 1919, the salvaged Hull of the MELVIN S. BACON was sold to Canada. It was registered under the Official Canada Number 140964, with ownership transferred to the Montreal Transportation Company. After its sale, the vessel underwent slight modifications, resulting in updated dimensions:

•Length: 185.7 feet

•Width: 33.4 feet

•Depth: 14.1 feet

•Gross Tonnage: 714 tons

The Schooner Barge was re-registered with Montreal, Quebec, as its home port, and operated on Canadian waters for another decade before its final disposition.

Final Disposition

The MELVIN S. BACON was dismantled in 1929, marking the end of its 55-year service history. By this time, the vessel had outlived its usefulness as newer steel-hulled ships dominated maritime commerce. The ship’s dismantling reflected the changing needs and technologies of the maritime industry.

Significance

The career of the MELVIN S. BACON highlights the adaptability of Schooner barges during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite severe incidents such as the Ashland fire and the Detroit River collision, the vessel continued to serve on both U.S. and Canadian waters, illustrating the resilience and economic value of these workhorse ships.

External Links

For further research, explore these resources:

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Bowling Green State University – Great Lakes Vessels

•Great Lakes Ships

•Wisconsin Shipwrecks

Suggested Keywords

•MELVIN S. BACON

•Detroit River Collision

•Ashland Shipwreck

•Montreal Transportation Company