GRACE DORMER U10997

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In the spring of 1868, a new addition to the Great Western Railway Co.’s fleet was poised to make her mark on the Great Lakes. The vessel in question, christened the Grace Dormer, was a propeller-driven steamer recently constructed by Mr. Osman in Buffalo, New York. Registered at 100 tons, the Grace Dormer boasted dimensions of 78 feet in keel length, 18 feet in beam, and a hold depth of 5 feet and 10 inches. Her engine, with a 13-inch bore and 10-inch stroke, provided her with the power to navigate the vast waters of the Great Lakes.

The Grace Dormer was destined for a crucial role as a ferry boat, shuttling passengers and cargo between the bustling city of Buffalo and the Canadian town of Fort Erie. With a capacity to accommodate over 200 people, this vessel promised to play a pivotal role in the region’s transportation network.Port Huron, Michigan, circa 1910. “Huron Street and ferry landing.” 8×10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company.

However, fate can be both unpredictable and cruel. Just a few short years after her maiden voyage, tragedy struck the Grace Dormer. On July 3, 1872, disaster befell the vessel while she lay docked at Beaver Island. A devastating fire consumed the ship, reducing her to a charred wreck. In the midst of the inferno, one crew member, a wheelsman, tragically failed to escape and perished in the flames. This catastrophic event left a lasting mark on the vessel’s history and the memories of those who witnessed the blaze.

Yet, from the ashes of adversity, the Grace Dormer emerged anew. Despite her fiery ordeal, the vessel was not consigned to oblivion. She was salvaged and rebuilt in Port Huron, a testament to the resilience of the vessel and the determination of those who believed in her potential. By June 25, 1873, the resurrected Grace Dormer was back in action, towing once more on the Great Lakes.

A decade later, on July 1, 1883, the Grace Dormer was once again thrust into a harrowing maritime incident. Capt. Thomas, at the helm of the steamer, found himself in a collision course with the tug Frank Moffatt near the mouth of Black River, Port Huron. Despite his quick maneuvers to avoid the impending collision, the two vessels collided. The impact resulted in damage to the Grace Dormer’s wooden hull. Fortunately, Capt. Thomas’s swift thinking prevented a more tragic outcome. Passengers, some of whom were women, were safely evacuated as the vessel quickly began to take on water. The Grace Dormer was skillfully maneuvered to McMorran’s Dock in Black River, where she ultimately settled in thirteen feet of water. All passengers were rescued without harm, thanks to the captain’s decisive actions.

Service-pnp-det-4a20000-4a23000-4a23300-4a23387v — Detroit Publishing Co., Copyright Claimant, and Publisher Detroit Publishing Co. Huron St. Street and ferry landing, Port Huron, Mich. United States Port Huron Michigan, None. [Cbetween 1900 and 1910] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2016815112/.

The Grace Dormer’s maritime journey, marked by both adversity and resilience, continued for several decades. However, her ultimate fate was sealed in 1925 when she was abandoned and left to decay in a boneyard at Buffalo, New York, before eventually being consumed by flames.

The story of the Grace Dormer is a testament to the challenges faced by vessels navigating the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes. It also underscores the courage and resourcefulness of the sailors and captains who braved these waters, and the communities that depended on these vessels for their livelihoods.

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