History
In the annals of maritime history, the steamer COLUMBIA emerges as a vessel marked by collisions, transformations, and an ultimate fate that saw it meet its end in the treacherous waters of Lake Huron. Built in 1848 by Joel R. Norton in Fairport, Ohio, this wooden sidewheel propeller was a vessel of significance, with a length of 117 feet, a beam of 18.6 feet, and a depth of 8.2 feet. With a tonnage of 168 54/95 tons, it was a vessel that traversed the Great Lakes with a mix of purpose and misfortune.
Owned by Aaron Wilcox of Painesville, Ohio, the COLUMBIA embarked on a journey marked by notable incidents. In October 1851, it collided with the steamer CHARTER at Dunkirk, New York, sustaining considerable damage to its upper works. This encounter was followed by another collision in May 1852, this time with the steamer ALABAMA on Lake Erie between Dunkirk and Erie, Pennsylvania. Both vessels suffered damage as a result of the collision.
The Columbia continued to change hands and purposes throughout its existence. In 1853, under the ownership of J.M. Craw and others, it was slated to run the route from Cleveland to Mackinac and Sault Ste. Marie. By 1854, it operated the Chicago-Green Bay route, expanding its reach and activities.
In 1858, a brush with ice at Thunder Bay led to damage to the COLUMBIA’s bow, causing it to leak. The vessel managed to drift to a location above Port Huron, Michigan, where it was towed by the steamer FOREST QUEEN to the St. Clair River for repairs. Throughout its ownership changes and incidents, the COLUMBIA demonstrated a resilience that belied the challenges it faced.
By 1861, under the ownership of Darius Cole and others, the COLUMBIA underwent a transformation. It was dismantled and repurposed as a tug, a role it assumed in the service of river navigation. This new iteration of the vessel carried the legacy of its past while embracing a fresh chapter of utility.
However, the COLUMBIA’s journey took a turn that led to its ultimate fate. Reports in 1862 suggested that the vessel was abandoned and wrecked, leaving its exact circumstances shrouded in mystery. Although listed as wrecked and abandoned, the COLUMBIA’s legacy endured in the memories of those who encountered its presence on the lakes.
