Site Description #
- Steam Barge
- 18ffw 6m
- 166ft Length
- Garden Island, Lake Ontario
- 44¯12.143’N 76¯27.543’W
D.D. CALVIN: The Tale of a Sturdy Wooden Propeller #
From Construction to Tragic Loss: The Journey of the D.D. Calvin
The D.D. Calvin, a wooden propeller, played a significant role in the transportation of goods on Lake Ontario during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This vessel, with its solid construction and powerful machinery, stood as a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the shipbuilders of its time.
Built in 1883 by Calvin & Son at Garden Island, Ontario, the D.D. Calvin was carefully constructed to handle the demanding task of transporting heavy pine timber. The ship boasted impressive dimensions, measuring 166 feet in length, 32.5 feet in beam, and 15.1 feet in depth. With a gross tonnage of 750 and net tonnage of 483, it had ample capacity to carry 24,500 bushels of wheat.
Equipped with a compound engine and machinery manufactured by Globe Iron Works in Cleveland, Ohio, the D.D. Calvin possessed remarkable power and efficiency. The compound engine consisted of fore and aft cylinders, measuring 27 and 50 inches in diameter, respectively, with a stroke of 36 inches. Its screw propulsion system, driven by a 10-foot, 6-inch diameter wheel with a pitch of 13 feet, 6 inches, propelled the vessel through the waters of Lake Ontario.
In April 1883, after the completion of the wooden hull, the D.D. Calvin was towed to Cleveland, Ohio, for the installation of its machinery. The ship’s outfitting progressed smoothly, with the engine and machinery being installed in Presley’s slip. It was expected that this part of the outfitting would be completed by Saturday night or Monday, allowing for a short trial trip to the port.
However, tragedy struck the D.D. Calvin on April 11, 1910, when the ship burned to a total loss at Garden Island, Ontario, while it was being fitted out for the upcoming season. The vessel, owned by Parlow and Smith at the time, met its untimely demise, leaving only remnants of its once proud presence.
Throughout its operational history, the D.D. Calvin had been involved in various incidents. In 1886, the vessel collided with a swing bridge in Port Colborne, causing significant damage. Another tragic event occurred in 1889 when the D.D. Calvin, along with other vessels, was struck by a Lake Ontario gale, resulting in the loss of all hands on board the BAVAFIA, which was thrown onto Galloo Island.
Despite these challenges, the D.D. Calvin persevered, continuing its service on Lake Ontario. The ship towed barges such as Prussia, W.R. Hull, J.N.O. Gaskin, Bavaria, Valencia, Norway, Denmark, Ceylon, and Augusta during its active years.
Following its tragic end, the D.D. Calvin’s legacy lives on through the stories of its voyages and the dedicated sailors who manned its decks. Though its final chapter was marked by devastation, the vessel will forever be remembered as a sturdy wooden propeller that played a vital role in the maritime history of Lake Ontario.
