On July 31, a devastating fire consumed the steamer DOMINION, which had been operating between Chatham and Detroit for many years. The incident occurred approximately five miles down the river from Chatham, Ontario. The estimated value of the steamer was around $18,000, and it was insured for $10,000. The fire is believed to have originated in the kitchen and had already advanced significantly before it was discovered. The crew members were forced to jump into the water to save themselves as the vessel burned to the water’s edge. Captain J. W. Steinhoff of Wallaceburg was the owner of the DOMINION.
The old steamer DOMINION suffered a catastrophic fate on Friday, a few miles below Chatham, Ontario, as it was engulfed in flames, leaving it completely destroyed. This incident took place on July 30, 1875.
The DOMINION, loaded with 55 cords of wood, fell victim to a fierce fire at Chatham on Friday night. The loss was estimated at $15,000, while the vessel was insured for $10,000. The steamer, a sidewheel vessel made of wood, was built in 1867 by John Bruce in Wallaceburg, Ontario. Its specifications were recorded as 117 feet in length, 25 feet in beam, and 8 feet in depth. With a gross tonnage of 175 and a net tonnage of 117, it operated primarily on the St. Clair River.
The fire that led to the DOMINION’s demise originated in the galley while the vessel was being loaded with cargo. Despite the crew’s efforts to fight the flames, they were eventually forced to abandon ship and save themselves. The owner of the steamer was J.W. Steinhoff of Chatham.
