SHIPWRECK REPORT: Barge MILLS

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• • Name: MILLS
• • Type: Wooden-Hulled Barge
• • Built: 1870
• • Builder: Philander Lester
• • Construction Site: Vicksburg (Marysville), Michigan
• • Dimensions:
• • Length: 164.4 ft (50.1 m)
• • Beam: 29.9 ft (9.1 m)
• • Depth: 11.6 ft (3.5 m)
• • Tonnage:
• • Gross: 391.49 tons
• • Net: 305.91 tons
• • Capacity: 385,000 board feet of lumber
• • Final Location: St. Clair River, opposite McGregor Point
• • Depth: Wreck was removed (blown up) to clear the channel

HISTORY

Construction and Ownership:

The MILLS was built in 1870 by Philander Lester for the Mills Transportation Co. of Port Huron, Michigan, a group that included Nelson and B. Mills of Marysville and Henry McMorran of Port Huron. Over the years, it changed ownership multiple times:

• 1888: Owned by N. Mills & Co. of Cleveland, Ohio.

• 1901: Operated by Port Huron Navigation Co., with N. Mills as president.

Usage:

Primarily engaged in the lumber trade, the MILLS was used to transport vast quantities of lumber across the Great Lakes. It was typically towed by other vessels, including the Tug A. ANDERSON, and underwent modifications and repairs over its long service life.

Engine Specifications:

The Barge was equipped with a steeple compound engine, manufactured by Cuyahoga Iron Works in Cleveland, Ohio.

• Cylinders: 20 + 36 x 30 inches

• horsepower: 400 HP at 95 revolutions per minute

FINAL INCIDENT

Date: September 6, 1906

Location: South of St. Clair, opposite McGregor Point, St. Clair River

• Event:

• While en route from Cleveland, Ohio, to Algoma Mills, Ontario, under tow by the Tug A. ANDERSON, the MILLS collided head-on with the steel Steamer MILWAUKEE.

• The MILLS sustained catastrophic damage, with its bow crushed upon impact.

• Casualties:

• Two lives were lost, including the wife of the engineer.

• The remaining crew escaped.

• Aftermath:

• The wreck posed a navigational hazard and was subsequently blown up to clear the channel.

SIGNIFICANCE

The MILLS represents a vital period in Great Lakes maritime history, highlighting the importance of the lumber trade during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its collision with the MILWAUKEE underscores the inherent dangers of navigating the busy waterways of the Great Lakes, where Visibility and coordination challenges often led to tragic incidents.

CURRENT CONDITION

The wreck was destroyed to clear the St. Clair River channel, leaving no significant remnants for exploration. However, historical accounts and archival materials preserve the legacy of the MILLS and its contributions to Great Lakes commerce.

NOTES FOR RESEARCHERS

• Historical Importance: The MILLS illustrates the evolution of Great Lakes trade and transportation, particularly in the lumber industry.

• Documentation Sources:

• Buffalo and Detroit newspapers from 1906 provide detailed accounts of the collision and subsequent salvage operations.

• Archival records from the Port Huron Navigation Co. shed light on ownership and operational history.

REFERENCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Historical Newspapers Archive

CONCLUSION

The story of the MILLS serves as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by mariners navigating the Great Lakes. From its construction in 1870 to its tragic collision in 1906, the MILLS played a significant role in the region’s lumber trade, leaving behind a legacy marked by both progress and peril.

KEYWORDS

#GreatLakes #Shipwrecks #MILLS #StClairRiver #MaritimeHistory #LumberTrade