GEORGE SPENCER (1884, Bulk Freighter)
The George Spencer, a bulk freighter, was built in 1884 in Cleveland, Ohio. Constructed by Thomas Quayle & Sons, the vessel had a distinctive design with a plain head and round stern. It was originally owned by Thomas Wilson and others in Cleveland, Ohio. With a length of 230.5 feet, a beam of 37.2 feet, and a depth of 18.8 feet, the George Spencer had a gross tonnage of 1360.75.
Powered by a screw propulsion system, the George Spencer was equipped with a for-and-aft compound engine with two cylinders. The engine, manufactured by Globe Iron Works in Cleveland, Ohio, had a power output of 625 horsepower. It was supported by a single boiler, a 10.5 x 17-foot firebox boiler also produced by Globe Iron Works.
The vessel played a significant role in the coal and iron ore trade. In fact, it was one of the first ships to load iron ore at Two Harbors, Minnesota when the port opened in 1884. Over the years, the George Spencer was involved in towing operations, often partnering with barges such as the David Dows, the Ironton, the M.E. Spencer, and the B.L. Pennington.
However, the ship also faced its share of challenges and accidents. It ran aground in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Lake Erie on September 13, 1886. The George Spencer also experienced collisions, lost mast components, and incidents of crew members falling overboard. Despite these setbacks, the vessel remained in operation under various owners, including Lockwood-Taylor Hardware Company, Commercial Transit Company, and Tonawanda Iron & Steel Company.
On November 28, 1905, tragedy befell the George Spencer. While towing the barge Amboy, both vessels were struck by a powerful gale, causing them to be driven ashore near Thomasville, Minnesota, in Lake Superior. The ship stranded, marking the end of its maritime career. Subsequently, on December 5, 1905, the ship’s documents were surrendered in Niagara Falls, New York.
The George Spencer’s legacy encompasses its contributions to the Great Lakes trade, its involvement in the iron ore industry, and the challenges faced by vessels navigating the unpredictable waters. Its final resting place near Thomasville serves as a reminder of the perils encountered by mariners on Lake Superior and the enduring history of maritime transportation.
