Other Names #
- ALMIGHTY
- AMILY
History #
In the annals of maritime history, there are tales of ships lost at sea, their stories forever etched in the depths. One such vessel is the Amity, a sidewheel propeller ship that met its tragic fate on Lake Erie in 1864. Let us delve into the chronicles of the ill-fated Amity and uncover the events surrounding its demise.
The Amity was built in 1856 by Allen Coutts in Chatham, Ontario. This wooden sidewheel vessel, known as a “pollywog,” boasted impressive dimensions of 102 feet in length, 26 feet in width, and 7 feet in depth. Owned initially by G. Thomas & A. McKellar, it found itself under the ownership of Messrs. Eberts of Chatham by 1860.
After its launch on July 12, 1856, the Amity began its service as a steamer, navigating the waters between Montreal and Chatham. Its sidewheel propulsion system, powered by a single high-pressure cylinder engine and a boiler, propelled the vessel forward.
On that fateful day in October 1864, the Amity embarked on a journey bound for Windsor, Ontario, with a cargo of staves. The vessel, now a decade old, braved the unpredictable waters of Lake Erie, unaware of the impending tempest lurking on the horizon.
Caught in the midst of a ferocious storm, the Amity succumbed to the wrath of Lake Erie’s relentless waves. The vessel, unable to withstand the forces of nature, was driven off course and stranded near Long Point, Ontario. The crew’s valiant efforts to save the ship were in vain as it succumbed to the ravages of the storm.
The wreck of the Amity marked the end of its illustrious career. With its hull shattered and its spirit extinguished, the vessel became a casualty of Lake Erie’s unforgiving depths. Although the ship was lost, there were no lives claimed in this tragic event.
The tale of the Amity serves as a reminder of the perils faced by seafarers throughout history. This vessel, once a proud sidewheel steamer, met its untimely demise on Lake Erie’s treacherous waters. Today, its story stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who brave the seas and a somber reminder of the forces that can bring even the mightiest ships to their knees.
