History of the Schooner-Barge Bahama

The Schooner-Barge Bahama was a wooden, three-masted Schooner built in 1863 by George Goble in Oswego, New York. It was constructed primarily for the transportation of bulk freight across the Great Lakes, a vital role in the economic development of the region during the 19th century. Below is a detailed account of its notable incidents, operations, and eventual loss:

Specifications

•Type: Three-Masted Wooden Schooner-Barge

•Year Built: 1863

•Builder: George Goble, Oswego, NY

•Dimensions:

•Length: 136 feet (41.45 meters)

•Beam: 26 feet (7.92 meters)

•Depth: 13 feet (3.96 meters)

•Tonnage:

•Gross: 333 tons

•Net: 317 tons

•Primary Use: Bulk Freight

Key Events in the Bahama’s History

Collision with the E.P. Ryerse (September 1874)

While sailing on Lake Erie, the Bahama collided with the Schooner E.P. Ryerse, about 7 miles southwest of Dunkirk. The Bahama struck the Ryerse on the port quarter, causing it to sink within an hour. The Bahama sustained damage to its bowsprit and bob-stays but remained afloat.

The Bahama, owned at the time by Philo Bemis of Buffalo, carried the crew of the Ryerse to port in Buffalo for safety. Both captains filed protests, though the specifics of the dispute over fault remain unclear in historical records.

Reported Losses in the 1890s

The Bahama faced several major incidents in the 1890s:

•1893: Reports suggest the Bahama was declared a Total Loss after being caught in a storm on Lake Huron.

•1895: Another incident placed the vessel near Alpena, where it reportedly Foundered. However, subsequent records indicate it was salvaged or returned to service after these events.

Final Incidents and Ultimate Fate (1903)

In May 1903, the Bahama, which had been converted into a stone Barge, suffered a catastrophic structural failure. After departing Windmill Point, Ontario, with a load of stone, one side of the vessel’s Hull collapsed, leading to a rapid sinking. The Bahama was irreparably damaged and was dynamited to clear the remains from navigational waters.

At the time of the incident, the Bahama was owned by Hughes Bros. & Bangs, contractors working on the Buffalo Breakwater. The vessel had been towed from Chicago to Buffalo with its mate, the Yankee.

Some accounts mention conflicting information about the Bahama’s fate:

•One record suggests the vessel was lost at the Cleveland Breakwater in 1903.

•Another mentions it was Abandoned in 1904, likely due to extensive damage from its final incidents.

Ownership History

Throughout its operational life, the Bahama changed ownership multiple times:

•T. S. Mott

•Clark & Parker

•Patrick Boylan

•N. Mills

•Philo Bemis (Buffalo)

•Hughes Bros. & Bangs (Final Owners)

Conclusion

The Bahama’s storied career reflects the dynamic and often perilous nature of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes. From its early days as a Schooner to its later Conversion into a stone Barge, the Bahama was a workhorse of its era. Despite surviving numerous incidents, its structural failure in 1903 marked the end of its service. The wreck’s destruction by dynamite underscores the practical need to maintain safe waterways, even at the cost of obliterating a vessel with such a colorful history.

Resources & Links

•Great Lakes Ships: Historical records of Great Lakes vessels.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive database of shipwrecks.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Detailed accounts of ship histories and wrecks.

Keywords: Bahama, Great Lakes shipwrecks, Lake Erie collision, Schooner-Barge, stone Barge, maritime history, Buffalo Breakwater, Hughes Bros. & Bangs.