Identification & Site Information

• Name: George Spencer

• Type: Bulk Freighter

• Builder: Thomas Quayle & Sons, Cleveland, Ohio

• Date Built and Launched: 1884

• Ownership:

• Original: Thomas Wilson and others (Cleveland, Ohio)

• Later Owners: Lockwood-Taylor Hardware Company, Commercial Transit Company, Tonawanda Iron & Steel Company

• Measurements:

• Length: 230.5 feet (70.3 m)

• Beam: 37.2 feet (11.3 m)

• Depth: 18.8 feet (5.7 m)

• Gross Tonnage: 1360.75

• Propulsion:

• Engine: For-and-aft compound engine (two cylinders), manufactured by Globe Iron Works, Cleveland, Ohio

• horsepower: 625 HP

• Boiler: 10.5 x 17-foot Firebox Boiler, Globe Iron Works

• Propeller Type: Single Screw Propulsion

• Final Incident Date: November 28, 1905

• Date of Document Surrender: December 5, 1905

• Location of Final Resting Place: Near Thomasville, Minnesota, Lake Superior

Vessel Type

The George Spencer was a bulk freighter designed for transporting iron ore, coal, and other bulk goods across the Great Lakes. Its robust build and powerful engine reflected its importance in supporting the growing industrial needs of the late 19th century.

Description

The George Spencer was a significant vessel in the Great Lakes shipping industry. Constructed in 1884 in Cleveland, Ohio, by the respected Thomas Quayle & Sons, the freighter featured a plain head and round Stern—design elements characteristic of its era. It was powered by a compound steam engine and equipped with a substantial boiler, both manufactured by the Globe Iron Works of Cleveland.

This freighter played a key role in the iron ore and coal trade, becoming one of the first vessels to load iron ore at Two Harbors, Minnesota, when the port opened in 1884. Throughout its service life, the George Spencer also performed towing operations, often alongside notable barges such as the David Dows, Ironton, M.E. Spencer, and B.L. Pennington.

History

The George Spencer had an eventful career on the Great Lakes, marked by notable achievements and frequent challenges:

1. Milestone: In 1884, it became one of the first ships to load iron ore at the newly opened port of Two Harbors, Minnesota, supporting the burgeoning iron industry.

2. Incidents:

• On September 13, 1886, the vessel ran aground in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Lake Erie.

• It faced multiple accidents, including collisions, damaged masts, and crew overboard incidents.

3. Ownership: Over its lifespan, the vessel changed hands several times, operated by prominent companies such as Lockwood-Taylor Hardware, Commercial Transit Company, and Tonawanda Iron & Steel Company.

Despite these setbacks, the George Spencer remained a stalwart workhorse, serving the lakes faithfully for over two decades.

Final Disposition

On November 28, 1905, while towing the Barge Amboy, the George Spencer encountered a powerful gale on Lake Superior. The storm’s fury drove both vessels ashore near Thomasville, Minnesota. Stranded and heavily damaged, the George Spencer was deemed a Total Loss, bringing an end to its long service career.

Shortly thereafter, on December 5, 1905, the ship’s registration documents were officially surrendered in Niagara Falls, New York, marking its formal removal from service.

Legacy

The George Spencer’s legacy is twofold:

• It served as a key player in the coal and iron ore trades during the height of industrialization on the Great Lakes.

• Its tragic end highlights the unpredictable and perilous nature of Lake Superior, where fierce storms claimed countless vessels.

Today, the George Spencer’s final resting place near Thomasville, Minnesota, remains an enduring testament to the challenges faced by Great Lakes mariners and the vital role these ships played in shaping North America’s economy.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive records of vessels and incidents.

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Repository for historical shipwreck data.

• Great Lakes Ships Database: Detailed vessel information and photographs.

Suggested Keywords & Categories

• Keywords: George Spencer, Lake Superior shipwreck, Two Harbors iron ore trade, Thomasville stranding, Great Lakes freighters, bulk cargo ships.

• Categories: Lake Superior Shipwrecks, 19th-Century Maritime History, Iron Ore Trade Vessels, Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Bulk Freighters.

Glossary Terms

• Plain Head: A ship design feature with a simple bow structure.

• Round Stern: A rounded rear section of a ship, typical in many older freighter designs.

• Compound Engine: A steam engine with multiple cylinders that allow steam to expand in stages for greater efficiency.

• Stranding: The act of a ship running aground, often due to storm conditions or navigation errors.

If you’d like further details, including the exact location of the wreck or additional photographs, let me know!n.