A. Simpson, St. Catharines, Ontario

Background: Simpson was a prominent shipbuilder in the mid-to-late 19th century based in St. Catharines, Ontario, a city well-positioned along the Welland Canal, an essential route for Great Lakes maritime trade. Simpson contributed to the construction of numerous vessels that were integral to the commercial and passenger transport industries on the Great Lakes.

• Asia, launched in 1873, was one of Simpson’s notable builds. The ship was crafted as a wooden propeller vessel, a design characteristic of the era’s maritime engineering. Simpson’s shipyard was known for producing durable and versatile vessels capable of handling diverse cargo and passenger needs, though the ASIA’s later history revealed limitations in open-lake conditions.
• Lothair Was a screw-propelled steam barge, constructed in 1872 by A. Simpson in St. Catharines, Ontario. Steam barges like the LOTHAIR were workhorses of the Great Lakes during the late 19th century, primarily engaged in the transport of bulk goods such as iron ore, coal, grain, and lumber. The vessel’s dimensions of 130 feet in length and 351 gross tons made her well-suited for operations across the Georgian Bay and Upper Great Lakes.
• Minnie Hall was a small wooden steam tug, built in 1869 in St. Catharines, Ontario, and used primarily for towing and assisting vessels in harbours and along shipping routes.