The Canisteo: A Steambarge Consumed by Flames #
The Great Lakes have witnessed countless maritime tragedies throughout history, and one such incident involved the ill-fated steambarge Canisteo. Built in 1886 by William Dulac in Mount Clemens, Michigan, this wooden propeller bulk freighter initially served in the coal, ore, and lumber trade. However, its journey took a tragic turn on an unfortunate day in 1920 when fire engulfed the vessel, leading to its eventual demise.
The Canisteo, measuring 182 feet in length, 34 feet in width, and 12 feet in depth, boasted a gross tonnage of 595 tons. Powered by a steeple compound engine with two cylinders, the steambarge relied on a single propeller for propulsion. It was equipped with a 350-horsepower engine manufactured by Samuel F. Hodge Engine Works and a 120-pound steam firebox boiler from Dry Dock Engine Works.
Throughout its history, the Canisteo underwent several ownership changes and modifications. From 1886 to 1903, it was owned by the Tonawanda Barge Line of Tonawanda, New York, before passing into the hands of various owners, including L.R. McLaren of Toledo, Ohio, and James A. Maddigan of Buffalo, New York. In 1908, the vessel was acquired by Eli Jacques & Sons of Duluth, Minnesota, and converted for the sand trade with the addition of an A-frame and clamshell rig.
Disaster struck the Canisteo in 1920 when a fire broke out on board while it was off the shores of Port Huron, Michigan. Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, the fire rapidly spread, leaving the vessel no chance of survival. The Canisteo was ultimately declared a constructive total loss. Ownership at the time of the incident lay with the United Fuel & Supply Co. of Detroit.
In the aftermath of the devastating fire, the remains of the Canisteo were scrapped, and the hulk was deliberately scuttled in Lake Huron near Lexington the following year. The exact loss of life and the cargo being carried by the vessel at the time of the incident remain unknown.
Today, the Canisteo serves as a haunting reminder of the perils faced by mariners navigating the Great Lakes. Abandoned and lost to the depths of Lake Huron, it stands as a testament to the unpredictable and merciless nature of maritime disasters. The story of the Canisteo joins the ranks of countless other shipwrecks, reminding us of the bravery and sacrifices made by sailors throughout history as they traversed these treacherous waters.
