The Celtic was a propeller-driven passenger and package freighter that operated on the Great Lakes. Built in 1874 by A. Robertson in Hamilton, Ontario, the Celtic was a wooden vessel with a length of 131 feet, a beam of 21 feet, and a depth of 14.7 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 698 and a net tonnage of 440.
Powered by a low-pressure steam engine with one cylinder and one propeller, the Celtic had a propulsion system that allowed it to navigate the Great Lakes. It had a 237-horsepower engine that operated at 80 revolutions per minute, along with a three-furnace return-tube boiler fueled by wood.
The Celtic primarily operated as a passenger and package freighter, serving various routes between Montreal and Chicago. It was also involved in lighthouse supply missions for the Canadian government and carried cargo, including dynamite, for the Canadian Pacific Railroad.
However, on May 1, 1892, tragedy struck when the Celtic collided with the steamer Russia in dense fog, approximately 15 miles off Rondeau Point in Lake Erie. The collision caused the Celtic to sink rapidly, becoming a total loss. One crew member, Margaret Strand, the cook, lost her life in the accident. The remaining 18 crew members were rescued by the Russia.
The Russia, after taking on the Celtic’s crew, had to be beached due to its sinking condition. The Celtic’s sinking location, being in deep water, made salvage efforts challenging. The vessel was owned by McKay’s Sons of Hamilton, Ontario, with Captain John Clifford as the master.
The collision between the Celtic and the Russia was a significant event at the time, covered by newspapers such as the Buffalo Enquirer and the Chicago Inter-Ocean. The Celtic’s sinking marked the end of its service and highlighted the dangers faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes, particularly in foggy conditions.
Despite its tragic end, the Celtic remains part of the maritime history of the Great Lakes, serving as a reminder of the challenges faced by sailors and the risks associated with shipping on these vast inland waterways.
External Links
- Great Lakes Ships
- Bowling Green State University
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Marine Museum of the Great Lakes – Mills List
