MERIDA

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The Merida, a bulk freighter, was built in 1893 at West Bay City, Michigan. Constructed with steel, the vessel featured two decks and was built by F.W. Wheeler. The original owner of the ship, located in Detroit, Michigan, was the Whitney Transportation Co.

Equipped with a triple expansion engine, the Merida had three cylinders and three boilers. The propulsion system included a single propeller, with the engine manufactured by Frontier Iron Works in Detroit, Michigan. The engine had dimensions of 27, 37, and 62 inches with a stroke of 44 inches, providing 1700 horsepower at 78 revolutions per minute. The vessel also had three Scotch boilers, measuring 12 x 12.5 feet and generating 168 pounds of steam, constructed by Wickes Brothers in Saginaw, Michigan. The Merida’s propeller had dimensions of 14 feet by 17 feet 6 inches.

With a length of 360 feet, a beam of 45 feet, and a depth of 20.66 feet, the Merida had a gross tonnage of 3261.44 and a net tonnage of 2609.83.

Tragically, on October 20, 1916, the Merida met its final fate off Wheatley, Ontario, in Lake Erie. The ship was wrecked while carrying a cargo of iron ore, bound from Fort William, Ontario, to Buffalo, New York, during the devastating “Black Friday Storm.” The storm claimed the lives of 23 crew members.

Throughout its history, the Merida experienced various incidents and ownership changes. The vessel was launched in May 1893 and was intended for use in the coal, ore, and grain trade. It was enrolled in Detroit, Michigan, on June 17, 1893. In October 1893, the Merida suffered significant damage due to grounding near St. Mary’s Island. The engine was wrecked in Lake Huron on May 27, 1896, but was towed to Detroit and repaired by Frontier Iron Works. Ownership transferred to D. Whitney Jr. of Detroit. On April 19, 1897, a collision occurred with the barge CAHOON in the St. Clair River at Port Huron, Michigan. In April 1898, the hull was cut through by ice in the Straits, resulting in a substantial amount of wet corn cargo that was sold at a loss.

Ownership of the Merida changed hands over the years. It was owned by the Merida Steamship Co. of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1901 and later by the Gilchrist Transportation Co. of Cleveland in 1903. The vessel underwent significant rebuilding in 1904, with the pilot house moved forward and machinery positioned aft. The rebuilt ship had dimensions of 360 feet by 45 feet by 25.6 feet and a tonnage of 3329 gross and 2389 net tons.

The Merida was involved in several collisions throughout its operational years. On June 18, 1906, a collision occurred with the schooner ANTRIM in Duluth, Minnesota, on Lake Superior. In June 1907, another collision took place, this time with the tug P.B. MCNAUGHTON in Buffalo. On June 17, 1908, the Merida was involved in a collision with the barge ANTRIM in Duluth Harbor, resulting in damage to both vessels.

The vessel changed ownership multiple times, with Edgewater Steamship Co. of Chicago assuming ownership in 1913 and later the Valley Camp Steamship Co. of Cleveland in 1915. Sadly, the Merida’s final journey in 1916 ended in tragedy, marking the end

of its seafaring career.