IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
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VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Magnet was originally a sidewheel steamer, a common type of vessel in the mid-19th century used for transporting passengers and cargo across the Great Lakes and connected waterways. Steamers like the Magnet were vital to the development of trade and communication in the region, offering a more reliable and faster means of travel compared to traditional sailing vessels. The vessel’s iron hull was notable for the time, as iron was becoming a preferred material for shipbuilding due to its durability and strength. Over its operational life, the Magnet was converted into a barge and continued to serve in various capacities until it was ultimately abandoned.
HISTORY #
The Magnet was constructed in 1847, with its hull being built in Scotland before being shipped to and assembled in Niagara, Ontario. Initially owned by W.J. Gunn and J. Sutherland of Niagara, the Magnet quickly became an integral part of the shipping and transportation network on Lake Ontario. The vessel underwent several modifications throughout its life, including the addition of upper cabins in 1853 when it operated on the Royal Mail Line between Hamilton and Prescott, Ontario.
The vessel experienced numerous incidents during its operational years. Notably, in 1849, the Magnet sank at Darlington, Ontario, while en route from Kingston to Toronto. It was refloated and continued service, though it faced additional challenges, including running ashore in foggy conditions at Toronto in 1872.
The vessel’s ownership changed hands multiple times, and it underwent several rebuilds, including a significant one in 1859 when its dimensions and tonnage were altered. During the Fenian raids in 1866, the Magnet served as a gunboat on Lake Ontario, demonstrating its versatility and importance to the region’s maritime operations.
In 1909, the vessel was acquired by the Empire Refining Co., converted into a barge, and later renamed Hamilton. It continued to operate on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, primarily in a reduced capacity as a barge, until its final abandonment in the Detroit River.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Magnet, later known as the Hamilton, was abandoned in 1928 inside the dock of the Regent Refining Co. near Texas Landing in the Detroit River, Amherstburg, Ontario. By this time, the vessel had been heavily modified and repurposed multiple times, eventually outliving its usefulness. The remains of the vessel were left to deteriorate, a common fate for many aging ships that had served their purpose.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The final location of the Magnet is documented near Texas Landing in the Detroit River, Amherstburg, Ontario. The exact date of abandonment is recorded as 1928.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are currently active regarding the wreck of the Magnet.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Link
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Link
- Great Lakes Ships Database: Link
- 3D Shipwrecks: Link (Check if exists)
CONCLUSION #
The Magnet had a long and storied history on the Great Lakes, serving in various capacities from a passenger and cargo steamer to a gunboat during the Fenian raids, and finally as a barge before being abandoned. The vessel’s journey reflects the evolving needs and challenges of maritime operations on the Great Lakes throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Keywords #
Magnet steamer, Hamilton barge, Great Lakes shipwreck, Detroit River, Lake Ontario maritime history, sidewheel steamer, 19th-century shipbuilding, Fenian raids gunboat
