BRIGHT, JOHN (1869, Tug (Towboat))
Identification & Site Information:
•Vessel Name: BRIGHT, JOHN
•Year of Build: 1869
•Official Number: 61130
Construction and Ownership
•Built at: Buffalo, New York
•Vessel Type: Tug (Towboat) (Propeller Steam Tug)
•Hull Materials: Wood
•Number of Decks: 1
•Builder Name: George N. Notter
•Original Owner: Wm. Jones, Belleville, Ontario
Power and Propulsion
•Propulsion: Screw
•# of Cylinders: 1
•# of Boilers: 1
•# of Propellers: 1
•Propulsion Notes: 14” x 24” engine
Hull Dimensions
•Length: 54 feet
•Beam: 13 feet
•Depth: 6 feet
•Tonnage (Gross): 36 tons
Vessel Type
The John Bright was a small, wooden-hulled propeller steam tug built in 1869 in Buffalo, New York. Tugboats like the John Bright were essential for towing larger vessels and assisting ships in and out of harbors, especially in the busy Great Lakes trade routes. These tugs played a crucial role in the economic activities of the region, facilitating the movement of goods across the lakes.
History
The John Bright was originally owned by Wm. Jones of Belleville, Ontario. Over the years, it saw service across the Great Lakes, assisting with towing operations. By 1876, the tug was owned by W. Jones of Montreal, and by 1879, it was still under Jones’s ownership, along with other partners.
The tug’s career came to an end on October 9, 1879, when it was destroyed by a fire in Belleville, Ontario. The fire was suspected to have been set deliberately by an arsonist. Despite the suspicions, no conclusive evidence is available regarding the cause of the fire. The John Bright was a total loss, and the remains of the tug were never recovered or salvaged.
Final Disposition
The John Bright was destroyed by fire on October 9, 1879, in Belleville, Ontario, on the shores of Lake Ontario. The vessel was a total loss, and no further service was possible. The cause of the fire was presumed to be arson, but no further details were documented.
Located By & Date
There is no record of any recovery or efforts to locate the remains of the John Bright. The tug was completely destroyed by fire, and its remains were likely lost.
Notmars & Advisories
There are no known navigational hazards or advisories linked to the John Bright’s wreckage, as it was destroyed by fire in port at Belleville.
Resources & Links
For further research and historical context:
•Maritime History of the Great Lakes
The John Bright‘s fate as a victim of suspected arson underscores the varied risks faced by vessels operating on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, where both natural and human threats could end a vessel’s service
