The scow-schooner “NEIL COCHRANE,” also sometimes noted as “NEIL COCHRAN,” was officially registered under the number 18517. It was built in 1868 by W. Simms in Port Hope. The vessel’s specifications included a length of 76 feet, a width of 21 feet, and a depth of 12 feet. With a gross tonnage of 87 tons, the “NEIL COCHRANE” took to the waters of Lake Huron for its maritime endeavors.
Tragically, the vessel met its untimely demise in the late days of September or early October of 1872. It fell victim to a fierce storm that swept across the lake. While the exact circumstances leading to its loss remain somewhat ambiguous, it is believed that the vessel may have capsized during the violent tempest.
The NEIL COCHRANE became part of the unfortunate toll taken by a series of powerful gales that occurred during the specified dates. The precise details of the incident are scarce, leaving the fate of the crew and the cargo they were transporting a mystery. The vessel’s official documentation was surrendered at Port Huron on November 13, 1877, and it was duly noted as “wrecked in 1872.”
The Detroit Free Press reported on December 14, 1872, that the “Scow NEIL COCHRANE” had suffered a total loss at Elm Creek, Lake Huron, further confirming the tragic fate of the vessel in the unforgiving waters.
Sources:
- Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI), Sat., 14 Dec, 1872
