MAPLEDAWN

description

The Manola, also known as the Maple Dawn, was a bulk freighter built in 1890 at Cleveland, Ohio. It had sister ships named Mariska, Maruba, and Matoa. The vessel was constructed using steel and had two decks. The Globe Ship Building Co., in association with the Minnesota Steamship Co. (also known as Minnesota Iron Co.), served as the builder and original owner of the ship.

Powered by a triple expansion screw propulsion system, the Manola featured a 1200hp, 80rpm engine manufactured by Globe Iron Works in 1890. The engine had three cylinders, and the vessel was equipped with two 14′ x 12’6″, 120-pound steam scotch boilers, also produced by Globe Iron Works. With a length of 282.4 feet, a beam of 40.3 feet, and a depth of 21.2 feet, the Manola had a gross tonnage of 2326 and a net tonnage of 1835.

On November 30, 1924, the Manola met its final fate when it became stranded near Christian Island, close to Penetang, Ontario, in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. The ship was bound for Fort William and Midland, Ontario when it ran aground. Ultimately, the vessel was cut up for scrap at the site. At the time of the incident, the Manola was owned by Reid Towing & Wrecking Co. based in Sarnia, Ontario. There is some uncertainty regarding the exact year of ownership change, with a mention of possible ownership by Reid Towing & Wrecking Co. in the 1930s according to the American Bureau of Shipping records.

Throughout its history, the Manola experienced various events and changes. It was launched in January 1890 and encountered a grounding incident near Sault Ste. Marie at Red Stark near the canal mouth in September 1894. The Pittsburgh Steamship Co. assumed ownership of the vessel in 1901, which was later transferred to the U.S. War Shipping Board in 1918. In the same year, the ship was cut in half at Buffalo Dry Dock, New York. Tragically, on December 2, 1918, the Manola sank near False Duck Island in Lake Ontario, resulting in the loss of 11 lives.

The vessel underwent further modifications and transformations over the years. It was taken to the coast, where it was cut in half, and the bow foundered during transport. In 1920, the Manola was rebuilt at Lauzon, Quebec, measuring 249.7 x 40.2 x 21.3 feet and with a gross tonnage of 2404. It was renamed Maple Dawn and came under the ownership of Canada Steamship Lines, previously owned by Davie Shipbuilding Co. Returning to the Great Lakes in 1921, the ship underwent another rebuild at Collingwood, Ontario, in 1923, resulting in increased dimensions of 329.7 x 40.2 x 21.3 feet and a gross tonnage of 3100.

Sadly, the Manola’s final chapter came to an end on November 30, 1924, when it stranded near Christian Island.