Other Names
- J. EMORY OWEN 1888
The Life and Sinking of the J. Emory Owen (later F.A. Meyer)
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Great Lakes were bustling with maritime activity, with numerous vessels carrying goods and passengers across these vast bodies of water. One such vessel was the J. EMORY OWEN, a bulk freighter that began its journey in 1888. Over the years, it faced various challenges, including accidents, fires, and even a name change. However, its final chapter was one of tragedy when it succumbed to the icy grip of Lake Erie in 1909. Let’s explore the captivating life and ultimate sinking of the J. EMORY OWEN.
Construction and Early Years
The J. EMORY OWEN was built in 1888 by the Detroit Dry Dock Company in Detroit, Michigan. As a wooden bulk freighter, it boasted a length of 256.4 feet, a beam of 38.5 feet, and a depth of 19.8 feet. With a gross tonnage of 1739.53 and a net tonnage of 1292.47, it had the capacity to carry a substantial cargo of 2700 tons. The vessel featured a triple expansion steam engine with three cylinders and two scotch boilers, generating 750 horsepower at 84 revolutions per minute.
Renaming and Rebuild
In 1905, the J. EMORY OWEN underwent a transformation. It was renamed the F.A. MEYER and underwent a rebuild in Buffalo, New York. The vessel emerged with altered dimensions, now measuring 256.33 feet in length, 38.42 feet in width, and 15.66 feet in depth. The gross tonnage remained at 1264, with a net tonnage of 1034. The F.A. MEYER was ready to embark on a new chapter in its maritime career.
Accidents and Mishaps
Throughout its existence, as both the J. EMORY OWEN/F.A. MEYER encountered numerous accidents and mishaps. In 1891, it suffered a machinery breakdown at Sault Saint Marie, Michigan. Four years later, it ran aground near Lakeside, 18 miles above Chicago, Illinois, resulting in the total loss of one of its consorts, the Nicholson. The vessel also faced incidents of grounding on Grosse Point in the Detroit River in 1898 and near Middle Island in Lake Huron in the same year. In 1903, disaster struck when the vessel partially burned and sank in the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal in Lake Michigan. Despite these setbacks, the F.A. MEYER was salvaged and returned to service.
The Final Journey
On December 18, 1909, tragedy befell the F.A. MEYER. While bound from Boyne City, Michigan, to Buffalo, New York, with a load of lumber, the vessel encountered treacherous ice conditions. Cut by the icy embrace of Lake Erie, it foundered 22 miles east of Southeast Shoal. The crew, faced with imminent peril, was rescued by the propeller Mapleton just in the nick of time. The sinking of the F.A. MEYER marked the end of its storied existence.
Conclusion
The J. EMORY OWEN, later known as the F.A. MEYER, had a tumultuous life on the Great Lakes. From its construction in 1888 to its sinking in 1909, the vessel experienced a series of triumphs and tragedies. Accidents, fires, and mishaps punctuated its journey, but it continued to sail and serve despite the challenges. Ultimately, the icy waters of Lake Erie claimed the F.A. MEYER, a testament to the unpredictable
