History
The Lizzie Bell, also referred to as Lizzie Belle, was a scow schooner constructed in 1866 by G. W. Johnston in Marine City, Michigan. The vessel had a wooden hull and a single deck, with dimensions measuring 76.6 feet in length, 14.3 feet in beam, and 5.8 feet in depth. Its gross tonnage was recorded at 59.34 tons. The original owners of the Lizzie Bell were Moses Rogers and others from Marine City, Michigan.
On October 15, 1866, the Lizzie Bell was enrolled in Port Huron, Michigan. Unfortunately, the ship’s history includes reports of a wreck, although the specific details and date of the incident remain unreported. Some sources suggest that the loss occurred in 1870, while others claim it took place in 1878. The fate of the crew and the cargo carried by the Lizzie Bell during its ill-fated voyage are unknown.
The enrollment of the vessel was surrendered on December 19, 1878, at Port Huron, with an annotation stating that it had been wrecked in 1870. However, conflicting information exists, indicating that the loss actually occurred in 1878. Despite efforts to trace the precise circumstances surrounding the Lizzie Bell’s demise, the lack of available details hinders a comprehensive understanding of the incident.
Sources used in documenting the history of the Lizzie Bell include records from Port Huron, Marine City, and other related sources. Additional information can be found in Richard Tatley’s book, “Steamboat Era in the Muskokas.”
