History
In the maritime history of the Great Lakes, the schooner COLUMBIA stands as a tragic testament to the unpredictable and often perilous nature of seafaring. Built in 1844 by James Pickering in Sackets Harbor, NY, the vessel was originally intended for passenger and freight trade across the upper lakes. However, destiny had different plans for the COLUMBIA, marking it with a series of misfortunes that would ultimately lead to its demise.
Measuring 99 feet in length, with a beam of 20 feet and a depth of 9 feet, the COLUMBIA was a wooden-hulled schooner with a tonnage of 165, equipped with two masts. Despite its promising beginnings, the vessel’s fate was marred by a series of unfortunate events that unfolded over the course of its existence.
In a cruel twist of fate, the COLUMBIA’s first attempt to navigate the Welland Canal ended in disappointment. The vessel, captained by its builder, James Pickering, encountered a heartbreaking setback—the vessel was found to be a mere inch too long to traverse the canal. Overwhelmed by the weight of this setback, Captain Pickering tragically took his own life by cutting his throat at Lock No. 8 on the Welland Canal. This devastating incident left behind a grieving wife and four children, and the vessel was forever associated with this heartbreaking tragedy.
In the years that followed, the COLUMBIA found itself changing hands and facing various challenges. The vessel was rebuilt in 1860 and experienced ownership changes, with different parties attempting to steer its course through the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes. In 1871, the COLUMBIA received a new deck, reflecting efforts to keep the vessel operational and seaworthy.
However, despite these efforts, the COLUMBIA’s ill-fated journey reached its final chapter in the fall of 1880. While details surrounding its final voyage remain scant, the vessel met its end near Harrisville, MI, in Lake Huron. A fierce storm proved to be the vessel’s undoing, leading to its wreck and subsequent destruction.
As the COLUMBIA met its tragic end, it left behind a legacy of misfortune and adversity. Its history became a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by those who navigated the Great Lakes, and the unpredictable forces of nature that could lead even the most promising vessels to a devastating fate.
The schooner COLUMBIA, once intended for a life of trade and travel, became a vessel haunted by misfortune. From its thwarted attempt to traverse the Welland Canal to its final encounter with a fierce storm, the vessel’s journey serves as a somber reminder of the sacrifices and struggles endured by those who dared to navigate the waters of the Great Lakes.
