Vessel Name: Robert R. Rhodes #
Official Number: 110732
Year of Build: 1887
Built at: Cleveland, Ohio
Vessel Type: Bulk Freighter
Builder: Thomas Quayle & Sons
Original Owner: Robert A. Rhodes, et al., East Rockport, Ohio
Construction and Specifications
The Robert R. Rhodes was a wooden bulk freighter built in 1887 by Thomas Quayle & Sons in Cleveland, Ohio. She was a substantial vessel, with a length of 246 feet, a beam of 40 feet, and a depth of 19.3 feet. Her gross tonnage was 1,576.23 tons, with a net tonnage of 1,286.72 tons, and she had the capacity to carry 2,400 tons of bulk cargo.
- Propulsion: The ship was powered by a screw propeller and a for-and-aft compound engine with two cylinders(28″ and 50″ diameter, 42″ stroke). The engine, built by Globe Iron Works, provided ample power for navigating the Great Lakes. The ship had two firebox boilers, each measuring 8’6″ x 16′, and operating at a pressure of 104 pounds of steam, also built by Globe Iron Works in 1887.
- Design: The Robert R. Rhodes had a round stern and was reinforced with steel arches and a steel boilerhouse, a design closely resembling the freighter Samuel Mather.
Operational History
Early Years (1887–1912) #
The Robert R. Rhodes was launched in April 1887 and operated primarily on the Great Lakes, transporting bulk cargo such as iron ore, grain, and coal.
- 1891 (August 26): The ship lost its wheel between Sand Island and Devils Island on Lake Superior but managed to recover.
- 1894 (August): The freighter went ashore near South Fox Island in Lake Michigan due to heavy smoke, but no major damage was reported.
- 1895 (November): The ship broke its rudder near Duluth, Minnesota, on Lake Superior, requiring repairs.
Over the years, the Robert R. Rhodes changed ownership several times. In 1900, it was owned by John W. Moore of Mentor, Ohio, and by 1902, the ship had been acquired by the Atlas Commerce Company. In 1903, ownership shifted again to the Gilchrist Transportation Company.
Canadian Service (1912–1921) #
In 1912, the ship’s documents were surrendered in the U.S., and it was sold to Canadian owners. The freighter was registered under the Canadian number C131109 and operated out of Montreal, Quebec, under the ownership of Franklin E. Hall. During this period, it was primarily involved in coal transportation under the operation of the George Hall Coal & Transportation Company.
Final Years and Disposition
Sinking in the Welland Canal (1921) #
On October 24, 1921, the Robert R. Rhodes struck a Welland Canal gate and sank. After the incident, the ship was raised but was no longer deemed suitable for active service. It was sold with the intention of using it as a breakwater on the New York shore of Lake Ontario. However, these plans were never fully realized, and the vessel was subsequently abandoned.
Scuttling (1922) #
In 1922, the Robert R. Rhodes was finally scuttled near the rifle range east of Port Dalhousie, Ontario, in Lake Ontario. The ship’s final role as a breakwater marked the end of a long and varied career spanning both American and Canadian waters.
Significant Events and Incidents
- 1887: Launched in Cleveland, Ohio.
- 1891 (August 26): Lost wheel between Sand Island and Devils Island, Lake Superior.
- 1894 (August): Ran ashore at South Fox Island due to smoke.
- 1895 (November): Broke rudder near Duluth, Minnesota, on Lake Superior.
- 1912: Sold to Canadian owners and operated by George Hall Coal & Transportation Company.
- 1921 (October 24): Struck a Welland Canal gate and sank; later raised.
- 1922: Scuttled near Port Dalhousie, Ontario, Lake Ontario.
Legacy
The Robert R. Rhodes was a reliable bulk freighter that operated for over three decades on the Great Lakes, playing a crucial role in transporting coal, grain, and iron ore. Despite experiencing several accidents during its career, including a significant sinking in the Welland Canal, the ship continued to serve until its final scuttling in 1922. Her story is emblematic of the many bulk freighters that plied the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, contributing to the industrial growth of both the United States and Canada.
