The ATLANTIC, a propeller wood barge, was built in 1880 in Buffalo. It had dimensions of 112 feet in length, 30 feet in beam, and 6 feet in depth. The barge had a gross tonnage of 158 and a net tonnage of 147. On an unknown date in 1895, the ATLANTIC was lost off Harrisville, MI in Lake Huron. The specific details of the loss, including the number of lives lost and the cargo being carried, are unknown. The only information available is that it was reported lost off the lumber docks.
The official number associated with the ATLANTIC is 29914, which actually belongs to an unrigged barge. It is speculated that the barge may have been built in Detroit as a lighter. Historical documents indicate that the vessel was abandoned in 1900, possibly leading to the assumption that it was lost in that year after this wreck.
In its early history, the ATLANTIC was enrolled in Detroit, MI in 1885. It was later rebuilt in Cleveland, OH as a screw steam lighter in 1889. The rebuilt vessel had dimensions of 112 feet in length, 30.1 feet in beam, and 6.3 feet in depth. It had a gross tonnage of 158 and a net tonnage of 147. The ownership of the barge shifted to James Pickands of Cleveland, OH. It was equipped with two 8″ x 12″ HPNC engines, generating 150 horsepower at 110 rpm. Additionally, it had a vertical boiler measuring 5 feet by 10.5 feet, manufactured by Erie City Iron Works.
Further modifications were made to the ATLANTIC in 1897, increasing its size to 252 gross tons and 208 net tons. At that time, it was owned by Pickards, Mather & Co. Ownership changed again in 1899, with H.G. Dalton becoming the new owner. The barge was eventually abandoned in 1901 and subsequently broken up in 1902.
It’s worth noting that there is another vessel named ATLANTIC, which was lost off Whitefish Point, Lake Superior, on May 10, 1891, resulting in the loss of five lives. However, this information does not directly pertain to the ATLANTIC barge discussed in this article.
