Identification and Site Information #
Construction and Specifications #
The Akron was a wooden propeller-driven vessel built in 1859 in Cleveland, Ohio, by Quayle & Martin for the Northern Transportation Co. The vessel was designed for the transportation of goods and passengers on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River routes, running between major ports such as Ogdensburg, Cleveland, Toledo, and Detroit.
- Length: 135.03 feet
- Beam: 22.7 feet
- Depth: 11.27 feet
- Tonnage (old style): 367 tons
- Propulsion: Screw propeller, powered by steam
- Number of Decks: 2
- Number of Masts: 1
Operational History #
The Akron had a busy career, operating primarily on Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and the St. Lawrence River, where it carried both cargo and passengers as part of the Northern Transportation Co.‘s fleet. The ship was well-known for connecting Cleveland, Toledo, and Ogdensburg, New York, with other major Great Lakes ports.
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1859: The Akron was enrolled in Cleveland, Ohio, and immediately began service.
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1860–1866: The vessel was owned and operated by Chamberlin & Crawford of Cleveland under the Northern Transportation Co. During this period, it regularly ran routes between Ogdensburg, NY, and Cleveland, extending to Toledo.
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1871: The Akron was part of the Detroit, Cleveland, Toledo, and Ogdensburg trade routes. That year, the vessel caught fire but was scuttled and repaired, allowing it to return to service.
Final Fate #
On September 17, 1873, the Akron was involved in a catastrophic event. While docked at Collin’s Dock, about 5 miles above Alexandria Bay on the St. Lawrence River, the ship caught fire and was burned. Despite efforts to save the vessel, the damage was too extensive, and the Akron was declared a total loss.
Final Location: #
- St. Lawrence River, near Collin’s Dock, 5 miles above Alexandria Bay, New York.
- Date: September 17, 1873
- Cause: Burned beyond repair.
Key Events in the Life of the Akron: #
- 1859: Built in Cleveland, Ohio, for Northern Transportation Co.
- 1860–1866: Operated regularly on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
- 1871: Suffered a fire, was scuttled, but later repaired.
- September 17, 1873: Burned and lost near Alexandria Bay, New York, on the St. Lawrence River.
Resources and Links #
- Marine Disasters of the Western Lakes during 1871, Capt. J.W. Hall.
- Various Newspapers Articles
- Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, Monday, August 28, 1871.
- British Whig (Kingston, ON), 23 Sep 1873
- Detroit Free Press September 18, 1873
- Buffalo Commercial Advertiser September 18, 1873 3-7
- Chicago Republican April 22, 1867
- British Whig (Kingston, ON), 19 Sep 1873
- Buffalo Daily Courier Friday, September 13, 1861
- Oswego Advertiser & Times Tues., October 16, 1866
- Buffalo Commercial Advertiser Monday, August 28, 1871
- “History of Lake Navigation” in the Marine Record, February 17, 1887.
- Merchant Steam Vessels of the U. S. A., The Lytle – Holdcamper List, 1790 to 1868.
- Notes from Various Sources but not limited to
- John E. Poole notes
- Donald V. Baut
- Burton Collection
- Edward J. Dowling Collection
- University of Detroit – Mercy C. E. Feltner Enrollments Database Erik Heyl
- Early American Steamers C. Patrick Labadie
- Great Lakes Ships Website
- Bowling Green State University
- H. G. Runge Collection, Milwaukee Public Library
Conclusion #
The Akron is a typical example of the 19th-century propeller-driven vessels that helped expand trade across the Great Lakes and into the St. Lawrence River. Its service was marked by its resilience, continuing operations even after being scuttled and repaired in 1871, but its career ultimately ended in a devastating fire in 1873
