BOTHNIA ex JACK composite steam barge (C 100661). 1903-1910. Original: 884.55 tons gross, 514.98 net. Capacity 900,000 board feet. As rebuilt: 833.36 tons gross, 478.35 tons net, 178.1’ (Greenwood said 190’). Built by O’Brien at Garden Island near Kingston Ontario for the Calvin Co. in 1895. Iron frame. Bow iron- sheathed. Round stern. 1889 Compound steeple engine = 460 indicated horsepower, 200 rated horsepower (taken from SCOTIA 458 tons). 1897 rated A11⁄2 and valued at $34,000. 1903 value $20,000. 1906 value $13,000. 1908 value $10,000. 1909 value $8,000.
In 1897, she was owned by the Pennsylvania Coal Co. Montreal Transportation Co. bought her from them in 1903 for $25,000. She was a collier during 1904. On 18 July 1910, she ran aground at Lily Bay near Brockville Ontario but after being lightered [see definitions] was pulled off without significant damage. In August 1910 she was sold for $10,000 to Captain Loonan of Collingwood Ontario to engage in the Georgian Bay to Tonawanda lumber traffic. Loonan, in turn, sold her to Meaford Transportation in 1911 for $11,000. She foundered after a collision with the steamer S.S. CURRY (U 116558, 3,931 tons gross) just above Star Island in the St. Clair River flats on 26 June 1912 while on passage Meaford (also reported as Killarney) Ontario – Welland Ontario with a cargo of quartzite. BOTHNIA was almost cut in half. One man was killed. An American court found the American vessel at fault and Meaford Transportation was awarded $28,000 in compensation.
Montreal Transportation Co. Annual Directors’ Reports 1903, 1906 and 1908-10; Montreal Transportation Co. Directors’ Minutes 26 June 1903, 19 January 1905, 3 August 1910 and 18 December 1911; Canada List of Shipping 1895 and 1912; Canadian Heritage Ship Information Database; Directory of the Marine Interests of the Great Lakes 1884; Greenwood Namesakes 1910-1919; Inland Lloyd’s Vessel Register Canadian Hulls 1897; Lloyd’s Register 1905; Marine Museum of the Great Lakes Canadian Lake Registry List; Mercantile Navy List 1897; Merchant Vessels of the United States 1911; Milwaukee Public Library Great Lakes Marine Collection; Miramar Ship Index; New Mills List; Buffalo Enquirer 9 May 1895; Buffalo Evening News 6 May 1903 and 20 August 1910; Canadian Railway & Marine World August and October 1910 and May 1913; Port Huron Daily Times 31 May 1895; Scanner November 1972.
