MAJESTIC U92116

2 min read

Propeller
55ffw 18m
290ft Lengths
Port Burwell, ON
42 22 471 80 25 108

Chronological History

The MAJESTIC, registered under U.S. number 92116, met a tragic fate when it burned and sank on September 19, 1907, approximately 12 miles west of Long Point in Lake Erie. Fortunately, the crew was rescued by the steamship CHARLEMAGNE TOWER Jr. At the time of the incident, the MAJESTIC was en route from Buffalo to Toledo, carrying no cargo.

The vessel’s ownership history reveals that in January 1889, it was owned by N. Ketchum et al in Toledo, Ohio. On August 16, 1889, it was enrolled in Port Huron, Michigan. Ownership then transferred to T. & J. Hurley of Detroit, Michigan in 1890. Throughout its service, the MAJESTIC encountered various incidents. In May 1890, it ran aground in the St. Mary’s River but was eventually released. Later, it lost its rudder 25 miles above Whitefish Point and suffered damage due to collisions with towing vessels, namely the steamers MANOLA and AMERICA. Repairs were carried out at Sault Ste. Marie.

In October 1892, the MAJESTIC collided with Dunbar & Sullivan’s yacht GASSOON and a floating machine shop. Additionally, in November of the same year, it went aground while entering Buffalo Harbor, completely blocking the entrance. However, it was successfully released. In April 1894, another collision occurred, this time with the schooner THEODORE VOGES in the St. Clair River, resulting in the death of one crew member from the schooner.

During its final year, the MAJESTIC was towing consorts named MONGUAGON and MYSTIC. Sadly, on September 19, 1907, it burned in Lake Erie. Following the incident, the MAJESTIC’s details were listed in the Port of Detroit Enrollment records. It was a propeller-type vessel with a net tonnage of 1609.50 tons. The ship measured 291 feet in length, 40 feet in breadth, and 81.1 feet in depth. It had two decks, three masts, a round stern, and a plain head. James Lawless was listed as the present master.

The subscribing owners of the vessel were John Hurley, who owned half of it, and Timothy Hurley, also from Detroit, who owned the other half. The MAJESTIC had a capacity of 1132.43 tons under the tonnage deck, 807.97 tons between decks above the tonnage deck, and 45.42 tons in enclosures on the upper deck. Its gross tonnage was 1985.82 tons, with deductions under the Act of August 5, 1882, totaling 376.32 tons. Thus, its net tonnage was recorded as 1609.50 tons.