History
The schooner-barge named Bahama had a history filled with notable incidents. Built in 1863 by George Goble in Oswego, NY, as a three-masted schooner, it had the dimensions of 136 feet in length, 26 feet in width, and 13 feet in depth. The vessel had a gross tonnage of 333 and a net tonnage of 317. It was primarily used for bulk freight purposes.
One significant event in the Bahama’s history occurred in September 1874. While sailing on Lake Erie, it collided with another schooner called E.P. Ryerse, resulting in the sinking of the latter vessel. The collision took place about 7 miles southwest of Dunkirk. The Bahama struck the Ryerse on the port quarter, causing extensive damage. The Ryerse sank within an hour, while the Bahama itself suffered damage to its bowsprit and bob-stays. The Bahama, owned by Philo Bemis of Buffalo, returned to the port for necessary repairs, carrying the captain and crew of the Ryerse. Both vessel captains filed protests upon arrival in Buffalo.
In 1903, in late May, the Bahama experienced another significant loss. It was carrying a load of stone and had just departed from Windmill Point, Ontario, when one side of its hull collapsed, causing the vessel to sink rapidly. The Bahama was so thoroughly destroyed that it was subsequently dynamited to remove any remnants. The incident occurred after the Bahama had been converted into a stone barge, having been brought from Chicago to Buffalo along with its towmate, Yankee. At the time of the loss, the Bahama was owned by Hughes Bros. & Bangs, contractors working on the Buffalo breakwater.
Additional reports suggest that the Bahama was also reported as a total loss in a storm on Lake Huron in September 1893 and that it foundered near Alpena in 1895. There are conflicting reports about the vessel’s ultimate fate, with some sources stating that it was lost on the Cleveland breakwater in 1903, while others claim it was abandoned in 1904. The vessel had a varied ownership history, with owners including T. S. Mott, Clark & Parker, Patrick Boylan, and N. Mills.
Please note that the provided information is based on available records and may not encompass every aspect of the Bahama’s history.
