Construction and Early Service
The Bunker Hill was a wooden sidewheel steamer constructed in 1835 by shipbuilder F.N. Jones in Black River, Ohio. As a sizable vessel with a length of 154 feet, a beam of 28 feet, and a depth of 12 feet, the Bunker Hill had a tonnage of 457 tons. This steamer was designed primarily as a towing vessel, operating on the river and serving the bustling maritime activities of the Great Lakes region.
During its years of service, the Bunker Hill was involved in several significant incidents, reflecting the challenging nature of navigating and operating on the Great Lakes and their surrounding waterways.
Incidents and Mishaps
The Bunker Hill had its share of maritime misfortunes before its ultimate destruction. One of the earliest recorded incidents occurred in May 1838, when the steamer was stranded on Horseshoe Reef in Lake Erie, sustaining heavy damage. Horseshoe Reef was known as a hazardous area, claiming many ships over the years, and the Bunker Hill was no exception.
Another significant incident took place in June 1846, when the Bunker Hill collided with the brig Fashion off Madison Dock. While the details of the damage are not fully documented, such collisions were a common risk in the crowded shipping lanes of the Great Lakes.
The Tragic Fire and Loss
The Bunker Hill met its tragic end on September 2, 1851, while docked at Tonawanda, New York, on Lake Erie. The steamer was being used for towing vessels up the river when a fire broke out. The blaze quickly consumed the wooden structure of the Bunker Hill, resulting in a total loss of the vessel. The nearby schooner T.P. Handy was also damaged in the fire, though fortunately, there were no casualties reported from the incident.
Following the fire, the remains of the Bunker Hill sank and continued to pose a significant hazard to navigation in the area for many years. The submerged wreck became a danger to small boats, and it wasn’t until October 1910 that the wreck made headlines again. During a search for the bodies of two drowned women, Chief of Police Ellicott and George Houck had a narrow escape when their launch struck the submerged remains of the Bunker Hill, tearing a hole in their boat and nearly causing them to drown.
Legacy and Remembrance
The Bunker Hill’s history is emblematic of the many vessels that served on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Its role as a towing vessel made it an essential part of the maritime infrastructure, supporting the movement of goods and other ships across the region. The vessel’s repeated misfortunes, including grounding, collision, and ultimately being consumed by fire, reflect the hazards faced by ships operating in these waters.
Even after its destruction, the Bunker Hill continued to impact the local area, with its submerged wreck posing a danger to boats for decades. The vessel’s long-forgotten remains nearly caused another tragedy in 1910, reminding locals of its enduring presence beneath the waters of Lake Erie.
The Bunker Hill’s story serves as a reminder of the fragility of wooden ships in the face of fire and the perils of maritime life in the 19th century. Although the steamer is long gone, its legacy persists in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history.
Resources & Links
Keywords
Bunker Hill, sidewheel steamer, Great Lakes shipwreck, Lake Erie, Tonawanda New York, Black River Ohio, maritime history, vessel loss, fire wreck, 19th-century shipping, shipwreck remembrance.
Ongoing Research & Monitoring
Further research into the Bunker Hill may reveal more details about its construction, service history, and any surviving artifacts or documents related to its final voyage and destruction. Continuous monitoring of maritime history archives and shipwreck databases will ensure that any new information about the Bunker Hill is integrated into its historical narrative.
