The Asia was a schooner built in 1864 or 1865 in Canada. Although it was reported as “new” at the time, it is likely that it was the same vessel built in 1858 by Muir at Port Dalhousie. The specifications of the Asia were approximately 380 tons, making it the “largest canal class” vessel.
On September 5, 1866, the Asia met its demise during a storm. The schooner was carrying 4 to 500 tons of coal and was bound from Erie, Pennsylvania, to Chicago, Illinois. In a fog and rough seas, the Asia ran aground on Spectacle Reef in Lake Huron. The crew abandoned the vessel and reached safety on Mackinac Island in the vessel’s yawl. Although the Asia was considered new and sturdy, only about one-third of its cargo was recovered before it was abandoned in mid-October. There were no reported casualties.
The Asia was owned by Muir Bros. of Chicago and was recently sold to the United States. The master of the vessel was Captain James Nicholson.
