Other Names #
- D.A. AUSTIN
- JOSEPH S. AUSTIN
- J.L. AUSTIN
- J.J. AUSTIN
History #
The J. S. Austin, a remarkable vessel with a rich history, has left its mark on the maritime world with its notable voyages and intriguing story. This bark, also known as the D. A. Austin, embarked on several noteworthy journeys and encountered both triumphs and challenges throughout its existence.
In the summer of 1876, the Cleveland Herald brought attention to the J. S. Austin’s significant contract. On June 26, the newspaper reported that this bark had secured a lucrative deal to transport pine timber from Lake Huron to England. The impressive sum of $5,500 in gold was agreed upon for this transatlantic voyage, highlighting the vessel’s reliability and capacity for transporting valuable cargo.
Just a few months later, on August 28, the Cleveland Herald once again highlighted the J. S. Austin’s role in commerce. This time, the bark was destined to carry a substantial load of deals from Lake Michigan ports to Liverpool. Mirroring its previous contract, the vessel was to receive the same impressive amount of $5,500, solidifying its reputation as a trusted carrier for valuable goods.
The J. S. Austin commenced its journey, completing a portion of its cargo of deals, and set sail for Little Sturgeon on September 5, 1876. From there, its course was set for England, ready to fulfill its role in international trade. However, fate had other plans for the intrepid vessel.
On November 29, 1876, news broke that the J. S. Austin had encountered unforeseen challenges on its voyage. The Cleveland Herald reported that the bark had been forced to return to Quebec due to slight damage and complications onboard. The centerboard had become jammed while navigating the open waters, causing concern among the crew of experienced salt-water seamen. The captain’s attempts to address the situation were thwarted by the crew’s alarm, rendering them unable to work effectively. Consequently, the captain made the difficult decision to abandon the ocean trip, resulting in the vessel unloading its cargo. Despite the setback, the J. S. Austin was compensated $8 in gold for its efforts in transporting the cargo from Green Bay to Quebec.
The J. S. Austin, officially registered as Bark J. S. Austin [C], had a distinguished origin. It was constructed in 1863 by Louis Ryerse in Port Ryerse, boasting a substantial tonnage of 421 tons. Owned by Ryerse & Austin, the vessel found its home port in Port Ryerse and held an estimated value of $15,000. The Board of Lake Underwriters’ Marine Register acknowledged the bark’s exceptional quality by classifying it as A1 in 1866.
In 1871, a significant change occurred when the J. S. Austin was sold to the United States and rechristened Joseph S. Austin. Under its new name and with an official number of 12713, the vessel continued its maritime adventures. However, its journey would eventually lead it back to Canadian ownership, as it was sold once again in 1898 and assigned the registration number Can. No. 96820.
Throughout its existence, the J. S. Austin underwent several name variations. It was known as J. L. Austin in its early years, and from 1869 to 1880 and 1880 to 1883, it was referred to as J. S. Austin. As the years progressed, it adopted the name Joseph S. Austin from 1880 to 1881 and in 1882 and 1883.
Although specific information about the vessel’s dimensions and years of operation is unavailable in the provided records, the known snippets of its history showcase a vessel deeply entwined with maritime trade and the challenges faced
