The JOHN BRIGHT a wooden propeller steam tug built in 1869 by George N. Notter in Buffalo, New York. It had the dimensions of 54 feet in length, 13 feet in beam, and 6 feet in depth. The tug had a gross tonnage of 30 tons and a net tonnage of 14 tons.
The tug was originally sold as a new vessel in Canada and was owned by Wm. Jones of Belleville, Ontario. It later came under the ownership of M. W. Jones, based in Montreal.
On October 9, 1879, the John Bright was destroyed by a fire in Belleville, Ontario. The fire resulted in a total loss of $6,000. The tug had been lying in ordinary at the location for several years, and the fire was believed to be the result of arson.
After its construction, the John Bright had several changes in ownership. It was initially owned by W. Gibson of Morrisburg in 1869, then by W. Jones of Brockville in 1874 and 1879. Later, ownership transferred to W. Long of Belleville in 1886.
Following the fire, the wreck of the John Bright was raised in late August 1880 and taken to Mill Point (Deseronto) for rebuilding. There is a possibility that it was reconstructed as the “Nellie Cuthbert.”
External Links #
- Great Lakes Ships
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Marine Museum of the Great Lakes – Mills List
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
