Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Avon
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 105733
• Date Built and Launched: 1877
• Builder: Union Dry Dock Co., Buffalo, New York
• Vessel Type: Wooden Propeller, Package Freight Steamer
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements:
• Length: 251 ft (76.5 m)
• Beam: 35 ft (10.7 m)
• Depth: 15 ft (4.6 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 1,702 tons
• Net Tonnage: 1,539 tons
• Date Lost: June 30, 1901
• Place of Loss: Near Pointe Aux Pins, Ontario, Lake Superior
• Lake: Lake Superior
• Type of Loss: Fire
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Flour and general merchandise

Vessel Type & Description

The Avon was a wooden-hulled propeller steamer, designed for package freight transport, a term referring to ships that carried varied cargoes such as flour, general merchandise, and other packaged goods. Built in 1877 by the Union Dry Dock Company in Buffalo, New York, the Avon measured 251 feet in length, making her one of the larger wooden freighters operating on the Great Lakes at the time.

The vessel’s single-screw propulsion system was powered by a steam engine, optimized for long-distance shipping routes across the lakes. The Avon was part of the Union Transit Company’s fleet, a major player in the Great Lakes shipping industry, facilitating commerce between Duluth, Buffalo, and various other ports.

History

The Avon had a notable service record, encountering several maritime incidents over her career but consistently being repaired and returned to service.

Key Historical Events:

• 1879: Struck bottom at Lime-Kiln Crossing in the Detroit River during a period of low water. The incident caused over $40,000 in damage to the vessel and her cargo.
• 1883: Stranded near Buffalo, New York, suffering heavy damage but was recovered and repaired.
• The Avon was regularly engaged in the Duluth-to-Buffalo trade route, transporting flour and general goods, vital to the economic infrastructure of the Great Lakes.

Final Voyage & Loss

On June 30, 1901, while battling a severe gale on Lake Superior, the Avon caught fire near Pointe Aux Pins, Ontario.

Details of the Incident:

• The vessel was en route from Duluth to Buffalo with a cargo of flour and general merchandise when the fire broke out.
• Despite efforts to control the blaze, the fire spread rapidly, burning the vessel nearly to the waterline.
• Fortunately, no lives were lost, and the crew was able to escape safely.
• The Avon was declared a total loss due to the extensive fire damage.

Recovery & Rebuilding

Despite being written off as a total loss, the Avon was later recovered and rebuilt at great expense, demonstrating the value of the vessel to her owners, the Union Transit Company. After reconstruction, she was returned to service, highlighting the durability and economic importance of wooden freighters during this period.

Final Disposition

While the Avon was recovered and rebuilt after the 1901 fire, there are no subsequent records of her final fate after returning to service. It’s likely that the vessel continued operations until retirement or scrapping in the early 20th century, as steel-hulled vessels began to dominate the Great Lakes shipping industry.

Located By & Date Found

Since the Avon was recovered and rebuilt after her 1901 incident, there is no known wreck site associated with this vessel.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Mariners navigating near Pointe Aux Pins, Ontario, should be aware of strong gales and sudden weather changes, which were contributing factors in the Avon‘s fire. Lake Superior’s unpredictable conditions continue to pose risks for vessels operating in this area.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
• Lake Superior Shipwreck Database
• Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy

Conclusion

The Avon‘s service history reflects both the dangers and resilience of Great Lakes shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Built in 1877, the vessel faced multiple maritime disasters, including groundings, stranding incidents, and a catastrophic fire in 1901. Despite being declared a total loss after the fire near Pointe Aux Pins, the Avon was recovered and rebuilt, underscoring the value placed on large wooden freighters during this era. The Avon‘s legacy is a testament to the challenges of navigating Lake Superior and the importance of maritime commerce in the Great Lakes region.

Keywords: Avon, Pointe Aux Pins Fire, Lake Superior Wooden Freighter, Union Transit Company, Great Lakes Shipping

Categories: Great Lakes Freighters, Lake Superior Shipwrecks, Maritime Fire Disasters

Glossary Terms: Propeller Steamer, Package Freight Vessel, Maritime Fire, Grounding Incident, Great Lakes Commerce

avon-us-105733 1901-06-30 07:56:00