- Lothairand the Edward S. Pease
- Colpoy’s Bay, Lake Huron
Lothair was a ship with a rich history dating back to its construction in 1872 at St. Catharines, Ontario. Powered by a screw propulsion system, the ship had a tonnage of 351 gross tons. However, its final location was in Windsor, Ontario, where it met its unfortunate end in a fire.
Throughout its lifespan, Lothair experienced several noteworthy events. In 1874, the ship ran aground at Amherst Island, Lake Ontario, during bad weather conditions. The incident resulted in an estimated damage of $1,000. Three years later, in 1877, the ship underwent a rebuild, increasing its weight to 413 gross tons. However, it faced another mishap in 1879 when it became stranded on the breakwater at Collingwood, Ontario, while en route from Chicago. The damage in this case was estimated at $200.
After twelve years of relatively uneventful service, Lothair encountered further troubles. It mysteriously took on water and became waterlogged near Tobermory, Ontario, causing significant damage to its deckload of lumber and deckhouses. However, it managed to stay afloat due to its interior cargo of lumber. Subsequently, the ship was towed to Windsor for repairs amounting to approximately $1,900. Unfortunately, on January 2, 1893, Lothair burned in the port of Windsor.
The ship’s fate took a turn when it was purchased by the Crawford Tug Company of Wiarton in May 1898. At that time, Lothair was still referred to as a schooner. However, it eventually outlived its usefulness as a freighter and was converted into a barge. The ship’s legacy was intertwined with the lumber trade in the local area.
Another vessel with historical significance is the California. Built in 1873 in Hamilton, Ontario, it had dimensions of 137 feet in length, 23.5 feet in width, and 13.42 feet in depth. Constructed from wood, it had a gross tonnage of 667.
The California experienced several rebuilds throughout its existence. It was rebuilt by Allan Brothers in Port Dalhousie, Ontario, in 1883, with its dimensions changing to 179.42 x 26 x 11 feet and its tonnage increasing to 901 gross tons. Subsequent rebuilds took place in Bay City, Michigan, in 1888 and 1903, resulting in further changes to its dimensions and tonnage.
The ship’s history took a tragic turn in 1887 when it ran aground on St. Helena Island, Lake Michigan, during a gale. The vessel was bound from Chicago to Montreal, carrying a cargo of corn and pork, three passengers, and twenty-two crew members. During the incident, the cabins were washed off, and tragically, five lives were lost. The California was later refloated in July 1888 and towed to Detroit. It underwent rebuilding in Bay City and was documented at Port Huron in January 1889.
However, the California met its final fate on November 24, 1904, when it burned at the Tannery coal dock in Collingwood, Ontario. The hulk of the ship was subsequently towed to Wiarton, where it was repurposed as a breakwall, lying nose to tail with the Lothair in Colpoy’s Bay.
These vessels, Lothair and California, hold historical significance in the maritime history of Ontario, Canada. Their stories reflect the challenges and events experienced by ships operating in the Great Lakes region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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