The vessel COLONIST, originally built in 1855 at Sarnia, Ontario, was a propeller freighter with the following specifications: 134 feet in length, 24 feet in beam, and 11 feet in depth. It had a gross tonnage of about 341 tons. The ship met its unfortunate end on November 21, 1869, in Lake Huron, about 25 miles southeast of the Straits of Mackinac.
The loss of COLONIST was attributed to hull failure. It sprung a leak and foundered during a journey bound for Montreal from Milwaukee, while carrying a cargo of flour and wheat. The vessel had encountered challenging weather conditions, enduring heavy pounding during a gale on the 17th near Manitowoc. After seeking shelter for two days, the ship ventured out again on the 19th, but its battered hull ultimately failed.
Despite the efforts of its owners, Pridham or L. Fowler of Montreal, it was reported that these ownership claims were potentially a front for an actual owner based in Milwaukee, as stated by a U.S. newspaper.
Interestingly, there was an earlier version of COLONIST, a propeller ship built in 1854 at Port Sarnia, Ontario. This vessel, approximately 140 feet long, 26 feet wide, and with a 10.5-foot hold, was equipped with a 200-horsepower engine. It was intended to operate between Montreal, Detroit, and Port Sarnia, ferrying goods such as staves. The 1854 COLONIST was considered stoutly built and well-suited for its service.
Ultimately, the 1855-built COLONIST met its fate in Lake Huron, serving as a reminder of the challenging conditions that vessels of that era faced while navigating the Great Lakes.
