CHINA – 1872

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #

The CHINA was a wooden propeller-driven ship built in 1872 by William Power & Co. in Kingston, Ontario. Designed for bulk freight transport, the vessel had a gross tonnage of approximately 355 tons and was part of the Western Express Line. It served as a crucial component of the Lake Ontario maritime trade network, transporting goods such as pig iron and merchandise across the region.

HISTORY: #

The CHINA was launched in 1872 and quickly became an active participant in the bustling commerce of Lake Ontario. The ship was built to carry bulk freight, and it frequently transported heavy cargoes, such as pig iron, between ports along the lake. Owned by John Proctor of Hamilton, Ontario, the CHINA represented the industrial growth and economic expansion of the Great Lakes region during the late 19th century.

However, the CHINA‘s service was cut short on October 13, 1872, when it caught fire near Kingston, Ontario. The fire spread rapidly throughout the wooden structure of the vessel, making rescue operations critical. Fortunately, the nearby steamer AMERICA came to the ship’s aid, and the passengers and crew were safely evacuated to the steamer CITY OF LONDON. Despite the successful rescue of all on board, the CHINA was completely destroyed by the fire, resulting in a significant financial loss of $34,000. At the time of the incident, the ship was carrying a cargo of 300 tons of pig iron and various merchandise.

The loss of the CHINA underscored the risks associated with maritime transportation in the 19th century, particularly the dangers of fire on wooden ships. The incident also highlighted the importance of fire safety measures and the need for rapid response in maritime emergencies.

FINAL DISPOSITION: #

The CHINA was a total loss after the fire on October 13, 1872, near Timber Island in Lake Ontario. The wreck remains submerged at the reported coordinates and has become a part of the lake’s rich maritime history. The loss of the vessel serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by those involved in the shipping industry during this period.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the CHINA wreck site. However, divers and mariners should exercise caution in the area due to the wreckage and potential underwater hazards.

LOCATED BY & DATE: #

The exact discovery date of the CHINA wreck is not widely documented, but the wreck lies submerged near Timber Island, a known location for several shipwrecks in Lake Ontario.

2022 Photos by Cory Phillips CC

2017 Photos Matthew Charlesworth CC

2008 Photos Tom Rutledge CC

RESOURCES & LINKS: #

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Great Lakes Ships
• Great Lakes Ships: Archival records and historical data on shipwrecks and maritime incidents.

KEYWORDS: #

CHINA, Wooden Propeller Ship, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Timber Island, 1872 Shipwreck, Canadian Maritime History, Fire at Sea, Bulk Freight.

ANALYSIS: #

The CHINA is a poignant example of the challenges faced by 19th-century maritime vessels on the Great Lakes. The ship’s destruction by fire shortly after its launch highlights the vulnerability of wooden ships to onboard fires and the importance of prompt rescue efforts. Despite its brief service, the CHINA played a role in the economic development of Lake Ontario’s trade routes, and its story contributes to the rich tapestry of maritime history in the region.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #

The CHINA was a wooden propeller-driven ship built in 1872 by William Power & Co. in Kingston, Ontario. Designed for bulk freight transport, the vessel had a gross tonnage of approximately 355 tons and was part of the Western Express Line. It served as a crucial component of the Lake Ontario maritime trade network, transporting goods such as pig iron and merchandise across the region.

HISTORY: #

The CHINA was launched in 1872 and quickly became an active participant in the bustling commerce of Lake Ontario. The ship was built to carry bulk freight, and it frequently transported heavy cargoes, such as pig iron, between ports along the lake. Owned by John Proctor of Hamilton, Ontario, the CHINA represented the industrial growth and economic expansion of the Great Lakes region during the late 19th century.

However, the CHINA‘s service was cut short on October 13, 1872, when it caught fire near Kingston, Ontario. The fire spread rapidly throughout the wooden structure of the vessel, making rescue operations critical. Fortunately, the nearby steamer AMERICA came to the ship’s aid, and the passengers and crew were safely evacuated to the steamer CITY OF LONDON. Despite the successful rescue of all on board, the CHINA was completely destroyed by the fire, resulting in a significant financial loss of $34,000. At the time of the incident, the ship was carrying a cargo of 300 tons of pig iron and various merchandise.

The loss of the CHINA underscored the risks associated with maritime transportation in the 19th century, particularly the dangers of fire on wooden ships. The incident also highlighted the importance of fire safety measures and the need for rapid response in maritime emergencies.

FINAL DISPOSITION: #

The CHINA was a total loss after the fire on October 13, 1872, near Timber Island in Lake Ontario. The wreck remains submerged at the reported coordinates and has become a part of the lake’s rich maritime history. The loss of the vessel serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by those involved in the shipping industry during this period.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the CHINA wreck site. However, divers and mariners should exercise caution in the area due to the wreckage and potential underwater hazards.

LOCATED BY & DATE: #

The exact discovery date of the CHINA wreck is not widely documented, but the wreck lies submerged near Timber Island, a known location for several shipwrecks in Lake Ontario.

2022 Photos by Cory Phillips CC

2017 Photos Matthew Charlesworth CC

2008 Photos Tom Rutledge CC

RESOURCES & LINKS: #

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Great Lakes Ships
• Great Lakes Ships: Archival records and historical data on shipwrecks and maritime incidents.

KEYWORDS: #

CHINA, Wooden Propeller Ship, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Timber Island, 1872 Shipwreck, Canadian Maritime History, Fire at Sea, Bulk Freight.

ANALYSIS: #

The CHINA is a poignant example of the challenges faced by 19th-century maritime vessels on the Great Lakes. The ship’s destruction by fire shortly after its launch highlights the vulnerability of wooden ships to onboard fires and the importance of prompt rescue efforts. Despite its brief service, the CHINA played a role in the economic development of Lake Ontario’s trade routes, and its story contributes to the rich tapestry of maritime history in the region.