IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: Choctaw

• Type: Propeller Tug

• Built: 1911, Collingwood, Ontario

• Dimensions:

• Length: 75 feet (22.9 meters)

• Beam: 16.25 feet (5 meters)

• Depth: 7.58 feet (2.3 meters)

• Gross Tonnage: 53 tons

• Service Area: Lake Erie, Port Stanley, Ontario

• Primary Use: Packet and Tug duties

• Final Disposition: Destroyed by fire at its dock on January 20, 1923

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The CHOCTAW was a wooden-hulled propeller Tug designed for Packet transport and towing operations on Lake Erie. These versatile vessels played a critical role in local commerce and harbor activity, moving smaller barges, assisting ships into docks, and transporting cargo between ports. Its robust build and manageable size made it ideal for operations in and around Port Stanley.

HISTORY

The CHOCTAW was constructed in 1911 at Collingwood, Ontario, a prominent shipbuilding hub on the Great Lakes. For over a decade, the vessel was a key player in the bustling harbor of Port Stanley, handling towing assignments and cargo deliveries. Its presence symbolized the vital maritime activity that sustained the local economy.

THE FINAL INCIDENT

On January 20, 1923, tragedy struck when the CHOCTAW caught fire while docked in Port Stanley. The exact cause of the blaze remains unknown, but wooden-hulled vessels like the CHOCTAW were particularly vulnerable to fire, especially in the early 20th century when fire suppression technology was limited.

The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the vessel and leaving little time for any meaningful salvage efforts. Reports indicate that the vessel was a complete loss, consumed down to its framework. The details of the cargo or any specific operations being conducted at the time of the fire are unclear, but it is believed there were no fatalities among the crew.

IMPACT & SIGNIFICANCE

The loss of the CHOCTAW was a significant blow to the maritime operations of Port Stanley, removing a valuable Tugboat from its fleet. The incident served as a stark reminder of the ever-present risks of fire on vessels, even when securely docked. This tragedy highlighted the need for improved fire prevention and response measures in maritime settings.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The CHOCTAW was completely destroyed in the 1923 fire, and no remains of the vessel are believed to exist. The incident marked the end of its service and left an indelible mark on the history of Port Stanley’s harbor operations.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Heritage Port Stanley
• Marine Museum of the Great Lakes – Mills List
• David Swayze Shipwreck File

CONCLUSION

The CHOCTAW was an integral part of the bustling maritime scene in Port Stanley, Ontario, during the early 20th century. Its untimely destruction by fire in 1923 underscores the challenges and dangers faced by vessels of the era, even in seemingly safe conditions. While the CHOCTAW’s physical presence has vanished, its memory endures in the maritime history of Port Stanley and Lake Erie.

Keywords: Tug CHOCTAW, Port Stanley Fire, Lake Erie Tugboats, Great Lakes Maritime History, Collingwood Shipbuilding, Harbor Operations, Maritime Disasters.