Nellie Reddington

Vessel Name: Nellie Reddington #

Official Number: 18731
Year of Build: 1872
Built at: Cleveland, Ohio
Vessel Type: Schooner
Hull Materials: Wood
Builder: Quayle & Martin
Original Owners: Reddington & Adams, Cleveland

Construction and Specifications

The Nellie Reddington was a three-masted wooden schooner built in 1872 by Quayle & Martin in Cleveland, Ohio. Designed for transporting large cargoes such as ore and coal, this schooner was well-suited to handle the growing demands of trade on the Great Lakes.

• Length: 205.9 feet
• Beam: 33.8 feet
• Depth: 14.9 feet
• Gross Tonnage: 816 tons
• Number of Decks: 1

Operational History

The Nellie Reddington served in several roles over her 61-year lifespan, playing a significant part in the ore trade on Lake Superior and being towed by various freighters and tugs throughout her career. The schooner was regularly used for transporting bulk materials, a common cargo for large schooners on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Notable Events: #

• 1885: The schooner was part of the Lake Superior ore trade, where it was towed by the bulk freighter HECLA. This trade was an essential part of the development of the iron ore industry in the region.
• November 1886: The Nellie Reddington ran ashore near Two Rivers, Wisconsin, but was refloated and returned to service.
• 1890: Towed by the tug ONAPING, which continued the schooner’s service in the Great Lakes region.
• 1898: The vessel was owned by the Mona Transportation Co., and during this time, it was towed by the bulk freighter GEORGE PRESLEY, transporting bulk materials such as ore and coal.
• 1908: Ownership changed to O.W. Blodgett of Cleveland, Ohio.
• 1919: The schooner was towed by the steam barge MYRON, continuing its role in bulk transport across the lakes.
• 1920: The Connely Brothers of Buffalo, New York took ownership of the vessel, and it continued operating as a towed schooner in the bulk trade.
• 1922: The vessel was acquired by Sin-Mac Lines of Montreal, Quebec and registered under Canadian number C141594.

Final Fate

After more than 60 years of service, the Nellie Reddington was abandoned in 1933 and subsequently scuttled in the St. Lawrence River. By this point, many of the older wooden schooners were being retired and scuttled as they were no longer economically viable in an era dominated by steamships and steel-hulled vessels.

Final Location: #

• St. Lawrence River, 1933
• Fate: Abandoned and scuttled.

Key Events in the Life of the Nellie Reddington: #

1. 1872: Built in Cleveland, Ohio by Quayle & Martin.
2. 1885: Towed in the Lake Superior ore trade by the freighter HECLA.
3. 1886: Ran ashore near Two Rivers, Wisconsin, but refloated.
4. 1898: Towed by the bulk freighter GEORGE PRESLEY.
5. 1922: Registered under Sin-Mac Lines, Montreal.
6. 1933: Abandoned and scuttled in the St. Lawrence River.

The Nellie Reddington is an example of the many large schooners that played a crucial role in the development of Great Lakes commerce, particularly during the late 19th century. Though eventually scuttled, the vessel’s long service life and adaptability through multiple ownerships underscore the importance of schooners in the bulk transport industry during their era.