SHIPWRECK REPORT: DOMINION

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: Dominion

• Type: Wooden Barge (originally a Propeller Vessel)

• Built: 1890, Chatham, Ontario

• Builder: Unknown

• Dimensions:

• Length: 95 feet (28.96 meters)

• Beam: 24 feet (7.32 meters)

• Depth: 5 feet (1.52 meters)

• Tonnage: Gross: 138 tons; Net: 94 tons

• Engine: Manufactured by Dalgarno, Parkinson & Co. (12×12 specifications)

• Owner: D. Flook, Chatham, Ontario

• Final Location: Thames River, Chatham, Ontario

• Date of Loss: March 1898

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Dominion was originally constructed as a propeller-driven vessel, equipped with an engine capable of supporting freight transport and light industrial use on Ontario’s waterways. Measuring 95 feet in length, the Dominion was built for efficiency in navigating rivers and lakes. At some point, the vessel underwent a Conversion into a Barge, indicative of changing trade demands or a focus on transporting heavy goods.

HISTORY

The Dominion was launched in Chatham, Ontario, in 1890 under the ownership of D. Flook. Initially serving as a propeller vessel, it provided reliable transport along the Thames River and other regional waterways. Powered by an engine built by Dalgarno, Parkinson & Co., the vessel played a part in the bustling maritime trade of the Great Lakes region during the late 19th century.

In 1898, the Dominion was converted into a Barge, likely to extend its operational life. While the exact reasons for its Conversion are unclear, it was common during this period for aging vessels to be repurposed for transporting bulk goods, such as coal or timber.

The Dominion may also have been involved in a grounding incident at Michael’s Bay, Manitoulin Island, in October 1895, though historical records do not definitively confirm whether this was the same vessel. If so, it highlights the challenging conditions faced by Great Lakes vessels in navigating treacherous waters.

FINAL DISPOSITION

In March 1898, while moored at a dock along the Thames River in Chatham, the Dominion fell victim to the harsh winter conditions. Ice buildup in the river caused the Barge to be crushed and ultimately declared a Total Loss. Fortunately, no crew members or bystanders were harmed in the incident.

The wreck marked the end of the vessel’s active service, although it was Rebuilt as a Barge later in 1898. This reconstruction points to the practicality and resilience of Great Lakes maritime practices, as even wrecked vessels were often salvaged and given new life.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

• No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the Dominion.

• The Thames River location of the wreck does not present navigational hazards today.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

• Condition: Following its destruction by ice, the Dominion was Rebuilt as a Barge in 1898. Any remnants of the original structure would likely have been removed or repurposed during reconstruction.

• Accessibility: The original wreck site is no longer significant as the vessel was Rebuilt. The exact location of the wreck in the Thames River near Chatham may no longer hold any observable remains.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical records of the Dominion and other vessels built in Ontario.

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Detailed accounts of Great Lakes shipwrecks and incidents.

• Save Ontario Shipwrecks: For additional research on the Thames River region and its maritime history.

CONCLUSION

The Dominion stands as a testament to the adaptability of the maritime trade on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Originally constructed as a propeller vessel and later converted to a Barge, it served for nearly a decade before meeting its untimely demise due to ice damage in Chatham, Ontario. Despite the loss, its reconstruction highlights the practical resourcefulness of the time. The story of the Dominion continues to add depth to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history.

KEYWORDS

Dominion, Schooner Barge, Thames River, Chatham, Great Lakes shipwrecks, ice wreck, Manitoulin Island, 19th-century shipping.