The Fiery Demise of the Small Propeller Freighter CAYUGA #
The small propeller freighter CAYUGA, built in 1919 in Durhamville, New York, met a tragic end in a devastating fire in Rochester, New York, in 1925. Serving as a crucial vessel for freight transportation on Lake Ontario, the CAYUGA fell victim to the destructive power of fire. This article explores the details surrounding the vessel’s construction, its role as a freighter, and the circumstances leading to its total loss in the fiery incident.
The CAYUGA was a steam screw propeller freighter constructed in 1919 in Durhamville, New York. Made of wood, the vessel measured approximately 94 feet in length, 18 feet in width, and 6 feet in depth. With a gross tonnage of 74 tons and a net tonnage of 48 tons, the CAYUGA was a modest-sized freighter serving the transportation needs of Lake Ontario.
On April 1, 1925, disaster struck the CAYUGA while docked in Rochester, New York. A fire broke out on board the vessel, rapidly engulfing it in flames. Despite efforts to extinguish the fire, the intensity of the blaze proved insurmountable, resulting in the total loss of the CAYUGA. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident.
Thankfully, there were no reported casualties among the crew members or individuals present at the scene of the fire on the CAYUGA. The vessel’s cargo, if any, is not specified in the available information. However, it can be presumed that the cargo on board may have also been consumed by the fire, leading to additional financial losses.
The small propeller freighter CAYUGA, built in 1919, met a tragic end in a fierce fire at Rochester, New York, in 1925. As a vital vessel in the freight transportation industry on Lake Ontario, the CAYUGA played a significant role in facilitating the movement of goods. The loss of the CAYUGA highlights the vulnerability of wooden vessels to devastating fires and underscores the risks faced by maritime vessels during their operations. Although the vessel’s demise marked a significant loss, the absence of casualties serves as a testament to the crew’s ability to evacuate safely
- Loss reported of American Vessels Merchant Vesel List U. S., 1926
- Merchant Vessel List. U. S., 1923
