Lloyd S. Porter U141264

The Lloyd S. Porter was a wooden steambarge built in 1893 by the Jenks Shipbuilding Co. in Port Huron, Michigan. It was designed to be sturdy and reliable for the harsh conditions of the Great Lakes trade, with advanced features for its time, including diagonal steel straps and steam pumps. The vessel was powered by a steeple compound engine built by the Phoenix Iron Works of Port Huron, producing 400 horsepower at 129 rpm. The firebox boiler, also built by Phoenix Iron Works, operated at 128 pounds of steam pressure, making the Lloyd S. Porter capable of moving large cargoes with efficiency.

Operational History #

1893–1917: Great Lakes Lumber Trade and Beyond

The Lloyd S. Porter was launched on March 11, 1893, and quickly became a workhorse of the Great Lakes lumber trade. The steambarge’s large cargo capacity of 450,000 board feet of lumber made it ideal for transporting timber across the lakes. The vessel operated primarily on the Great Lakes, but its career also took it to the Atlantic Coast for several years, marking a significant shift from its original operations.

•1898–1902: The Lloyd S. Porter was temporarily reassigned to the Atlantic Coast, where it operated outside the Great Lakes before returning to its original trade routes.

•October 23, 1898: While navigating the St. Lawrence River near St. Croix, Quebec, the vessel collided with the steamer Turret Age and sank. However, it was later salvaged by the Donnelly Wrecking & Salvage Co., allowing the ship to return to service.

Ownership Changes: #

Over the years, the Lloyd S. Porter passed through several hands:

•1900: Owned by John Hannan of Ogdensburg, New York.

•1901: Acquired by Arthur Hepburn of Picton, Ontario.

•1905: Ownership transferred to Bernard & James Hepburn and later to the Ontario & Quebec Navigation Co..

•1914: Sold to Alphonse A. Larscque of Montreal, Quebec.

Final Years and Disposition #

Fire and Scuttling (1917) #

By 1917, the Lloyd S. Porter was owned by the Sincennes-McNaughton Co., and was engaged in coal transportation. However, disaster struck on May 10–11, 1917, while the vessel was loading coal at North Fairhaven, New York. A fire broke out on board, and despite the crew’s efforts to contain the flames, the fire quickly spread. To prevent the total destruction of the ship and its cargo, the Lloyd S. Porter was towed into Little Sodus Bay, a nearby inlet of Lake Ontario, where it was scuttled in an attempt to extinguish the flames. The ship settled at the bottom of the bay, marking the end of its career after nearly 25 years of service.

Significant Events in the Life of Lloyd S. Porter #

•1893: Launched in Port Huron, Michigan.

•1898: Sank after colliding with the Turret Age near St. Croix, Quebec, but was raised by salvage efforts.

•1900–1914: Ownership passed through various individuals and companies involved in the Great Lakes and Atlantic trade.

•1917: Caught fire while loading coal at North Fairhaven, New York; scuttled in Little Sodus Bay to extinguish the fire.

Final Location #

The wreck of the Lloyd S. Porter remains at the bottom of Little Sodus Bay, Lake Ontario. It was scuttled there on May 11, 1917, after the fire that destroyed the vessel. Although attempts were made to save the ship, its extensive damage rendered it unsalvageable, and the remains now lie as part of Lake Ontario’s maritime history. The wreck has not been extensively explored or recovered, and it remains a submerged testament to the Great Lakes shipping industry of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.