History
The story of the schooner-barge COLUMBIAN is one of endurance, transformation, and an eventual encounter with the unforgiving forces of nature. Built in 1864 by William H. Wolfe in Fort Howard, Wisconsin, the vessel began its journey as a testament to maritime ingenuity. With a length of 138.7 feet, a beam of 26 feet, and a depth of 13 feet, the COLUMBIAN boasted a tonnage of 456, making it a substantial vessel for its time.
Originally owned by Voight in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the COLUMBIAN was constructed with ocean trade in mind. Its journey began with enrollments in various ports, including Milwaukee, Sault Ste. Marie, and Detroit. Under the ownership of Robert Meginnity of Detroit, the vessel faced challenges such as collisions, groundings, and repairs, reflecting the trials that often marked the life of a vessel navigating the Great Lakes.
In 1876, the COLUMBIAN embarked on a remarkable voyage, chartering a course from Alpena, Michigan, to England, laden with a cargo of lumber. The journey took 30 days and culminated in the vessel’s arrival on English shores. Over the years, ownership of the COLUMBIAN changed hands multiple times, passing through the stewardship of various captains and enterprises.
However, the vessel’s storied history would eventually converge with a fateful day in September 1913. On the 4th of that month, off the shores of Dunkirk, New York, Lake Erie bore witness to the final chapter of the COLUMBIAN’s journey. Caught in the grip of a storm, the vessel foundered, its wooden hull no match for the relentless power of the elements.
Remarkably, there was no loss of life in this tragic event. The COLUMBIAN met its end as it had faced its challenges—undaunted and resilient. It sank beneath the waves, its cargo of lumber resting on the lakebed, a silent testament to the vessel’s enduring spirit.
The COLUMBIAN’s legacy lives on through the pages of maritime history, a vessel that navigated the waters of the Great Lakes with purpose and determination. From its origins in Wisconsin to its final resting place off the shores of Dunkirk, the schooner-barge COLUMBIAN remains a symbol of the trials and triumphs that define the lives of those who brave the open waters in pursuit of adventure, trade, and discovery.
