Vessel Identification

• Name: COLLINA

• Type: Barge

• Year Built: 1883

• Builder: F. Harris, Wallaceburg, Ontario

• Dimensions:

• Length: 91 feet (27.7 meters)

• Beam (Width): 24 feet (7.3 meters)

• Depth: 5 feet (1.5 meters)

• Tonnage:

• Gross Tonnage: 62 tons

• Net Tonnage: 62 tons

• Initial Owner: William Adolphus Fraser, Wallaceburg, Ontario

Ownership and Service History

The COLLINA was built as a wooden Barge designed for carrying heavy cargo, specifically wooden bolts and other timber products, which were common goods transported on the Great Lakes and regional rivers. After its construction in 1883, the Barge was owned by William Adolphus Fraser of Wallaceburg, Ontario. Wallaceburg was an active center for the timber trade, and vessels like the COLLINA were essential in moving wood products to larger markets.

The Barge later came under the ownership of A. Trerice in Dresden, Ontario, another town along the Sydenham River, where the timber industry was central to the local economy. The COLLINA’s role likely involved routine transport between Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, and surrounding waterways, moving timber and lumber products essential to building and manufacturing during this period.

Notable Incidents

Collision and Sinking Incident

• Date: May 28, 1888

• Location: Molly Creek near Dresden, Ontario, Lake Erie

• Event: While outbound for Detroit, Michigan, the COLLINA collided with a sawlog in Molly Creek. The impact caused the Barge to sink. Fortunately, the incident did not result in any loss of life. At the time, the COLLINA was carrying a load of wooden bolts, a typical cargo for barges in the timber trade.

This incident underscores the hazards of navigating regional rivers and lakes, where floating logs from logging operations posed constant dangers to smaller vessels.

Recovery and Final Destruction

• Recovery: After the 1888 sinking, the COLLINA was raised and moved to Lake St. Clair to continue operations. This salvage reflects the investment in the vessel’s utility and the value of timber trade vessels at the time.

• Final Incident:

• Date: 1891

• Location: Lake St. Clair

• Event: The COLLINA ultimately met its end in 1891 when it caught fire and was destroyed. The fire rendered the Barge a Total Loss, ending its relatively short but eventful career.

The destruction of the COLLINA by fire was unfortunately common among wooden vessels in the era before modern firefighting equipment and fire-resistant materials. Fires often resulted in a complete loss, as wooden vessels were highly flammable, particularly if carrying dry wood cargo.

Significance and Historical Context

The COLLINA illustrates the life cycle of a 19th-century Great Lakes Barge, from its construction to its multiple ownership changes, cargo transport duties, and unfortunate incidents. Vessels like the COLLINA were essential to the timber trade that supported both local economies and the expanding demand for building materials across North America. The Barge’s short service life highlights both the operational risks faced by wooden vessels and the resilience of the shipping industry, where vessels were salvaged and repaired to extend their usefulness despite frequent accidents.

The COLLINA’s ultimate loss to fire in 1891 reflects the challenges faced by wooden cargo vessels of the time. Fires on wooden vessels were common due to the absence of fireproofing and the risk associated with carrying flammable cargo.

Conclusion

The COLLINA served as an important workhorse for the Great Lakes timber industry, transporting essential resources across lakes and rivers. Its service history, including its collision and final destruction by fire, underscores the risks that small barges and wooden vessels faced during the late 19th century on the Great Lakes. The Barge’s story is emblematic of the economic and industrial challenges of Great Lakes navigation during a transformative period for North American maritime trade.