Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: C. Hickox
- Type: Propeller-Driven Cargo Vessel
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: Kelley Island Lime Company, Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length: 130.58 ft (39.8 m); Beam: 24.66 ft (7.5 m); Depth of hold: 9 ft (2.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 208 tons (Gross), 141 tons (Net)
- Location: Main Duck Island, Lake Ontario
- Coordinates: 43°55.85′ N, 76°38.38′ W
- Official Number: 105817
- Original Owners: Multiple owners including Edward Phillips of Saint Clair, Michigan
- Number of Masts: Single propeller
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The C. Hickox was a wooden-hulled, single-propeller freight vessel constructed to transport bulk cargo including lumber, bricks, and coal throughout the Great Lakes. Designed for versatility, she was modernized early in her career with a new propeller wheel in 1874 to increase efficiency and maneuverability.
Description
This was a robust wooden propeller vessel typical of Great Lakes bulk freighters of the late 19th century, with a single-deck layout, prominent engine room aft, and open cargo holds amidships. The vessel had a straight stem and rounded stern, optimized for varied cargo, with reinforced framing to handle shifting loads.
History
Construction and Early Service
Launched in 1873 by the Kelley Island Lime Company in Cleveland, Ohio, the C. Hickox was named for Charles Hickox, president of the company. Originally built to haul lumber, the vessel quickly proved adaptable to a range of commodities including bricks and other construction materials.
Operational Career
The Hickox operated under multiple owners across ports in Detroit, Muskegon, and Milwaukee, with each new owner adapting her trade routes to evolving commercial needs. By the early 1900s, her focus shifted to the lucrative coal trade across Lake Ontario and the upper Great Lakes, under Edward Phillips of Saint Clair, Michigan.
Final Voyage and Loss
On December 2, 1906, the C. Hickox departed Oswego, New York, bound for Belleville, Ontario, with a cargo of coal. A fire broke out on board during the passage, quickly overwhelming the vessel’s firefighting capabilities. In a desperate effort to save themselves, the crew ran the burning ship aground on Main Duck Island, Lake Ontario, where she burned to a total loss. Estimated damage was placed at $8,000 CAD (1906 value). Remarkably, there were no fatalities.
Significant Incidents
- December 2, 1906: C. Hickox caught fire while en route from Oswego, New York, to Belleville, Ontario, leading to her grounding on Main Duck Island.
Final Disposition
The C. Hickox was abandoned as a total loss after the fire. Today, portions of the hull, boiler, and scattered machinery remain visible on Main Duck Island, gradually integrating with the shoreline environment.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No formal “discovery” is credited, as the crew intentionally beached the vessel in 1906. However, wreck remnants have been documented in modern surveys.
Resources & Links
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The C. Hickox is a vivid illustration of the perils of early 20th-century Great Lakes cargo transport. From lumber to coal, her diverse career under various owners showcased the adaptability of wooden propeller vessels in the face of industrial demands. Her fiery demise in 1906 near Main Duck Island ended more than three decades of workhorse service. Today, the accessible wreck site offers historians and divers alike a compelling link to Canada’s maritime past, highlighting both the engineering strengths and the hazards of wooden steam propulsion.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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