IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: Dominion

•Type: Wooden Barge (originally a propeller vessel)

•Year Built: 1890

•Built At: Chatham, Ontario, Canada

•Owner: D. Flook, Chatham, Ontario

•Dimensions:

•Length: 95 feet (29 meters)

•Beam: 24 feet (7.3 meters)

•Depth: 5 feet (1.5 meters)

•Tonnage:

•Gross: 138 tons

•Net: 94 tons

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Dominion was a wooden-hulled vessel initially constructed as a propeller-driven ship in 1890. Designed for regional use, its engine, a Dalgarno, Parkinson & Co. model with specifications of 12×12, powered the vessel for its early years. At some point in its operational history, the Dominion was converted into a Barge, emphasizing its adaptability to different roles in maritime transportation. As a Barge, it likely served in freight transport, moving bulk goods across the waterways of Ontario.

HISTORY

The Dominion was launched in 1890 in Chatham, Ontario, under the ownership of D. Flook. Its engine was crafted by Dalgarno Parkinson & Co.., reflecting the advanced shipbuilding capabilities of the time. The vessel’s dual roles as a propeller-driven ship and later as a Barge made it a versatile asset in the regional shipping industry.

Notable Events:

•Michael’s Bay Incident (1895): The Dominion may have been involved in a grounding incident at Michael’s Bay, Manitoulin Island, in October 1895.

•Wrecked by Ice (March 1898): While tied to a dock along the Thames River in Chatham, the vessel succumbed to harsh ice conditions, leading to its destruction. Thankfully, no lives were lost in this event.

Rebuild (1898): Following the 1898 ice wreck, the Dominion was Rebuilt as a Barge in Chatham. This rebuilding effort reflects the durability and value of wooden vessels during this period, with owners often opting for reconstruction after significant damage.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The vessel was destroyed by ice in March 1898 while docked at Chatham, Ontario, becoming a Total Loss. The Dominion was subsequently Rebuilt as a Barge later that year, continuing its service on the waterways of Ontario.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) regarding the Dominion, as it was lost in a dockside incident and not at sea or within a shipping channel.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The Dominion’s exact final resting location is tied to the Thames River, near Chatham, Ontario, though as it was docked and wrecked by ice, no known wreckage remains underwater or accessible for exploration.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive historical records of vessels operating in the Great Lakes region.

•Canadian Registers of Shipping: For detailed enrollment and ownership records of vessels like the Dominion.

•Chatham-Kent Historical Archives: Potential resources for additional details on the vessel’s history and rebuilding efforts.

KEYWORDS

•Dominion Barge

•Wooden Propeller Vessel

•Chatham Ontario Shipwreck

•Thames River Wreck

•Ice Damage 1898

•Michael’s Bay Incident

CONCLUSION

The story of the Dominion illustrates the challenges and resilience of Great Lakes vessels during the late 19th century. From its initial role as a propeller-driven ship to its adaptation as a Barge, the Dominion was a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of regional maritime operations. Though its destruction by ice in 1898 marked the end of one chapter, its subsequent rebuilding underscored the importance of these vessels to the communities they served. The Dominion’s history is a small but valuable piece of Ontario’s rich maritime legacy.