Yet Another Fiery End on Lake Erie #
The BEATRICE, a wooden propeller excursion boat and tug, met a tragic fate on Lake Erie in 1885. Built in 1882 by William J. McDonnel in Wallaceburg, Ontario, the Beatrice had a short but eventful career before being consumed by a devastating fire. Join us as we explore the history of the Beatrice, its encounters with fire, and its final demise on the waters of Lake Erie.
Constructed in 1882, the Beatrice was built with wood and measured 79 feet in length, 16 feet in beam, and 6 feet in depth. It had a gross tonnage of approximately 66 tons and a net tonnage of around 45 tons. The vessel was equipped with a high-pressure engine, featuring one cylinder and producing 40 horsepower. The engine had previously been used in the 1867 Canadian tug Beaver.
The Beatrice was originally owned by Captain J. Ellison and operated as an excursion boat and tug. It carried passengers and served various purposes, benefiting from the machinery salvaged from the older tug Beaver. Captain McGregor served as the master of the vessel during its active service.
The Beatrice faced two separate incidents involving fires. The first occurred on August 23, 1883, while the vessel was on the St. Clair River near Port Huron. The fire broke out, prompting the quick action of the skipper, who set the vessel adrift to prevent the flames from spreading to the nearby dock. The tug Ontario managed to secure a line on the Beatrice, pulling it to the foot of Sanborn’s Grain Elevator. Despite the rescue attempt, the vessel suffered extensive damage, approaching a total loss.
The second and final loss of the Beatrice occurred on December 4, 1885, near Port Stanley, Ontario. A fire broke out in the engine room, rapidly engulfing the vessel and resulting in its total destruction. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties in either of the fires involving the Beatrice.
The Beatrice, a wooden propeller excursion boat and tug, faced a tragic end on Lake Erie. With a history marked by encounters with fire, the vessel succumbed to a devastating blaze near Port Stanley in 1885. Despite attempts to salvage and recover the vessel, its fiery fate resulted in its complete loss. The story of the Beatrice serves as a reminder of the risks faced by vessels navigating the waters of Lake Erie in the late 19th century and the unpredictable nature of maritime operations during that era.
External Links #
- Marine Museum of the Great Lakes – Mills List
- Martine History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships
