The Wreck of the Dundurn (1919)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Dundurn
• Former Names: Built as Flint & Pere Marquette #2 (later F. & P.M. #2), renamed Dundurn in 1906
• Official Number: C112207 (formerly U.S. No. 120500)
• Type at Loss: Wooden Barge, Bulk Freight
• Built: 1882, Detroit Dry Dock, Wyandotte, MI | Hull #60
• Specifications: 213 ft (64.9 m) x 33 ft (10.1 m) x 12 ft (3.7 m) | 1,120 Gross Tons
• Date of Loss: July 15, 1919
• Place of Loss: Just outside the harbour at Ashtabula, Ohio
• Lake: Erie
• Type of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: 2
• Cargo: Coal

Vessel Type

The Dundurn was originally built in 1882 as a wooden Propeller Steamer designed for break-bulk cargo and passenger transport. She was never a railroad car Ferry, despite some confusion due to her early name. In 1906, she was sold to Canadian owners, lengthened by 35 feet (10.7 m), and converted into a Barge, removing her engines and relying on tugboats for towing. This modification extended her operational life but made her more vulnerable to storms, as she no longer had propulsion to maneuver in heavy weather.

Description

Originally built as Flint & Pere Marquette #2, the vessel was part of the growing Great Lakes freight and passenger trade. She was designed to transport various cargoes, including coal, lumber, and general goods.

Her most dramatic survival story occurred in March 1885, when she stranded mid-Lake Michigan in a winter storm. Part of her crew and passengers walked 30 miles to Ludington, MI, in freezing conditions to seek rescue.

After her 1906 Conversion to a Barge, the vessel primarily carried coal across the Great Lakes, towed by various steam tugs.

Final Disposition

On July 15, 1919, Dundurn was being towed by the steam Tug Home Rule on Lake Erie, carrying a heavy coal load.

As the convoy neared Ashtabula, Ohio, a violent summer gale swept across the lake. The Dundurn began taking on water, unable to counteract the force of the storm. With no engines to help maneuver, she was at the mercy of the waves. Within hours, she Foundered and sank just outside Ashtabula Harbour.

Two crew members were lost, likely trapped as the vessel went down. The remaining crew escaped on lifeboats and were rescued by their tow vessel, Home Rule.

Located By & Date Found

• Status: Unconfirmed – the wreck has not been officially located.
• Possible location: Just outside Ashtabula Harbor, Lake Erie.
• Given Lake Erie’s relatively shallow depths, the Dundurn may remain well-preserved beneath layers of sediment.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• No official navigation warnings exist for the Dundurn wreck, as its location remains unconfirmed.
• Mariners should exercise caution in the waters outside Ashtabula Harbour, as multiple unmarked obstructions exist in the area.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Research
• Ontario Marine Heritage Database

Conclusion

The Dundurn represents a transition in Great Lakes shipping history, beginning her career as a steam-powered cargo and passenger vessel before being converted to a towed Barge. While this Conversion extended her service life, it also left her vulnerable in storms, leading to her final loss in 1919.

Her survival story in 1885 and tragic ending in 1919 highlight the risks faced by Great Lakes sailors.

As shipwreck search technology improves, the Dundurn’s resting place may one day be discovered, bringing her full story to light.

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Dundurn shipwreck, Flint & Pere Marquette #2, Lake Erie shipwrecks, wooden Barge wreck, coal transport disasters, Great Lakes storms, Ashtabula maritime history.
Categories: Great Lakes shipwrecks, Wooden bulk freight barges, Shipwrecks of Lake Erie, 19th-century maritime disasters, Converted vessels.