The Tragic Fate of the Steam Screw JAMES DAVIDSON: Lost off Thunder Bay Island in 1883
In the late 19th century, the Great Lakes served as a vital thoroughfare for the transportation of goods and passengers. Among the many vessels navigating these treacherous waters was the steam screw JAMES DAVIDSON. However, its existence was tragically cut short on October 4, 1883, when it met its doom off the coast of Thunder Bay Island.
The JAMES DAVIDSON was a wooden bulk freighter, and on that fateful day, it was towing a consort-barge en route to Duluth. The vessel, laden with cargo and battling the unpredictable weather conditions that were characteristic of the Great Lakes, found itself in shallow waters off the coast of Thunder Bay Island.
As the crew struggled to navigate the treacherous waters, disaster struck, and the JAMES DAVIDSON ran aground, becoming stranded on the island’s shore. Despite efforts to free the vessel, it remained immobile, and hope of salvaging it seemed dim.
In an attempt to salvage what they could, the crew managed to recover the ship’s engine and boiler. However, the relentless waves and currents took their toll on the vessel, causing it to break apart over time. As the years passed, the remains of the JAMES DAVIDSON sank about 35 feet underwater, leaving only fragments of its once mighty structure.
The tragic loss of the JAMES DAVIDSON was not an isolated incident on the Great Lakes. Another casualty attributed to this vessel occurred in September 1874 when it ran aground on Stag Island. This earlier incident resulted in a loss estimated at $600.
The JAMES DAVIDSON, registered under U.S. No. 75786, was a substantial vessel with a gross tonnage of 1456.11 tons and a net tonnage of 1202.40 tons. It was constructed in Salzburg, Michigan, in 1874, and its home port was St. Clair, Michigan.
The fate of the JAMES DAVIDSON serves as a reminder of the perils faced by mariners on the Great Lakes during this era. The unforgiving waters and unpredictable weather conditions demanded skill, courage, and unwavering determination from those who navigated these vital waterways.
While the JAMES DAVIDSON may now rest beneath the waves, its story lives on as a testament to the challenges and dangers faced by the vessels that plied the waters of the Great Lakes. Today, the shipwreck serves as a solemn reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of those who braved these waters in pursuit of commerce and progress.
