Shotline Diving

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D. A. Gordon US 116482

Explore the history of the D. A. Gordon, a wooden propeller cargo vessel that met its fate in a fire on the St. Clair River in 1909.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: D. A. Gordon
  • Type: Wooden propeller cargo vessel
  • Year Built: 1902
  • Builder: L. Scagel’s yard, Wallaceburg, Ontario
  • Dimensions: Length 115.3 ft (35.1 m); Beam 23.2 ft (7.1 m); Depth of hold 7 ft (2.1 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 148 gt; Net Tonnage: 94 nt
  • Location: Off Wallaceburg, Ontario, on the St. Clair River
  • Official Number: 116482
  • Original Owners: Thunder Bay Importing Company of Wallaceburg
  • Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The D. A. Gordon is classified as a wooden propeller cargo vessel, designed for local trade on the St. Clair River and surrounding waters.

Description

Constructed in 1902, the D. A. Gordon was a wooden vessel measuring 115.3 feet in length, with a beam of 23.2 feet and a depth of 7 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 148 and a net tonnage of 94. Initially launched as a propeller-driven vessel, it underwent significant changes throughout its operational life.

History

The D. A. Gordon was launched in 1902 and primarily operated on the St. Clair River. In 1905, it suffered a fire, was rebuilt, and returned to service. By 1907, it was owned by the Thunder Bay Importing Company. After a second fire, it was converted to an unpowered barge. On April 20, 1909, it caught fire again and was destroyed offshore near Wallaceburg, with no loss of life reported.

Significant Incidents

  • 1905: Suffered a fire and was rebuilt.
  • 1909 (April 20): Caught fire and was destroyed offshore near Wallaceburg; no loss of life reported.

Final Disposition

The D. A. Gordon was declared a total loss on April 20, 1909, after being destroyed by fire. The vessel likely sank or was abandoned, and its registry was cancelled following the incident.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the D. A. Gordon has not been located. It is presumed to have been destroyed by fire and likely sank or drifted to near-shore. No documented site access exists, and it is presumed to be underwater or salvaged.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”d-a-gordon-us-116482″ title=”References & Links”]

The D. A. Gordon had a brief operational life marked by local trade service and multiple fire incidents, culminating in its destruction in 1909. This vessel serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by wooden steam vessels during the early 20th century.

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.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: D. A. Gordon
  • Official Number: 116482
  • Built: 1902 in Wallaceburg, Ontario (L. Scagel’s yard) as a propeller-driven vessel
  • Type: Wooden propeller cargo vessel
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 115.3 ft (35.1 m)
    • Beam: 23.2 ft (7.1 m)
    • Depth: 7 ft (2.1 m)
    • Gross Tonnage: 148 gt; Net Tonnage: 94 nt
  • Decks: 2

History & Operations

  • 1902: Launched in Wallaceburg; operated on the St. Clair River and nearby waters
  • 1905: Suffered a fire; rebuilt and returned to service as a propeller
  • 1907: Owned by Thunder Bay Importing Company of Wallaceburg
  • Post-1905: Converted to an unpowered barge after second fire
  • 1909 (20 Apr): Caught fire again and was destroyed offshore near Wallaceburg; no loss of life reported (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)

Final Disposition

  • Date of Total Loss: 20 April 1909
  • Location: Off Wallaceburg, Ontario, on the St. Clair River
  • Cause: Fire – vessel burned to total loss
  • Outcome: Likely sank or was abandoned; registry cancelled following incident (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)

Significance & Context

  • The D. A. Gordon represents early 20th-century Wallaceburg shipbuilding—designed for local cargo trades and evolving between powered service and barge use as needs changed.
  • Its repeated fire damages reflect both operational wear and technological limitations of wooden steam vessels.
  • Wallaceburg’s heritage includes boatbuilding and river trade; this vessel highlights the local industry around the turn of the century (en.wikipedia.org), tied intimately to community economic development and infrastructure.

Wreck & Site Information

  • Wreck Status: Not located; destroyed by fire, likely sank or drifted to near-shore
  • Site Access: None documented; presumed underwater or salvaged

Conclusion

The D. A. Gordon had a 7-year operational life defined by local trade service, fire damage, reconstruction, and ultimate destruction by fire in 1909. It’s emblematic of the era’s humble, wooden propeller vessels—built in small yards like Wallaceburg’s and prone to the occupational hazards of steam-era commerce.

Keywords

Wallaceburg shipbuilding • Wooden propeller vessel • St. Clair River trade • Early 20th-century barge transition • Fire loss 1909

d-a-gordon-us-116482 1909-04-20 14:46:00