Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lachinedoc
- Type: Bulk Freighter
- Year Built: 1927
- Builder: Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson
- Dimensions: Length: 253 ft (77.1 m); Beam: 43 ft (13.1 m); Depth of hold: 18 ft (5.5 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,976
- Location: Bob-Lo Island (Bois Blanc Island), Detroit River
- Official Number: 149430
- Original Owners: N. M. Paterson & Sons Ltd.; Colonial Steamships Ltd.; Scott Misener Steamship Co.; Bob-Lo Ferry Company Ltd.
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Bulk Freighter
Description
The Lachinedoc was a bulk freighter constructed in 1927 by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson in Wallsend-on-Tyne, England. She was powered by a triple-expansion steam engine built by McColl & Pollock, featuring cylinder dimensions of 15, 28, and 40 inches with a 33-inch stroke.
History
Originally built “on spec” by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, the Lachinedoc was acquired by N. M. Paterson & Sons Ltd. of Fort William, Ontario, in 1927. She operated under their ownership until 1941, when she was requisitioned for war service. During the war, her ownership changed hands multiple times: she was under the U.S. Maritime Commission in 1942, the Ministry of War Transport in London, England, in 1944, and returned to the U.S. Maritime Commission in Washington, D.C., in 1946.
In 1947, the vessel was purchased by Colonial Steamships Ltd. of Port Colborne, Ontario, and underwent a rebuild at Port Weller, Ontario. Following this refurbishment, she was renamed Queenston. The vessel continued operations under Colonial Steamships Ltd. and later Scott Misener Steamship Co. until 1960.
Significant Incidents
- Requisitioned for war service in 1941.
- Ownership changed multiple times during wartime, including the U.S. Maritime Commission and the Ministry of War Transport.
Final Disposition
After being decommissioned in 1959, the vessel was acquired by the Bob-Lo Ferry Company Ltd. in 1961. That fall, she was scuttled to serve as a foundation and facing for a new dock on the Canadian side of Bob-Lo Island (Bois Blanc Island) in the Detroit River.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is not documented, but it serves as a dock foundation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lachinedoc-queenston-boblodock-c-149430″ title=”References & Links”]
The Lachinedoc’s multifaceted service life, encompassing commercial operations, wartime requisition, and eventual repurposing as dock infrastructure, reflects the adaptive utilization of maritime assets throughout the mid-20th century. Her transitions through various ownerships and roles underscore the dynamic nature of Great Lakes shipping during this period.
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: Lachinedoc
- Former Names: Queenston (1947); Boblodock (unofficial, 1962)
- Official Number: 149430
- Date Built and Launched: 1927
- Measurements:
- Original Dimensions: Length: 252.8 feet (77.0 metres); Beam: 43.4 feet (13.2 metres); Depth: 17.9 feet (5.5 metres); Gross Tonnage: 1,926
- Post-Rebuild Dimensions (1947): Length: 253 feet (77.1 metres); Beam: 43 feet (13.1 metres); Depth: 18 feet (5.5 metres); Gross Tonnage: 1,976
- Date Lost: Fall 1961
- Final Disposition: Scuttled to serve as a dock foundation on the Canadian side of Bob-Lo Island (Bois Blanc Island), Detroit River
Vessel Type
Bulk Freighter
Description
The Lachinedoc was a bulk freighter constructed in 1927 by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson in Wallsend-on-Tyne, England. She was powered by a triple-expansion steam engine built by McColl & Pollock, featuring cylinder dimensions of 15, 28, and 40 inches with a 33-inch stroke.
History
Originally built “on spec” by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, the Lachinedoc was acquired by N. M. Paterson & Sons Ltd. of Fort William, Ontario, in 1927. She operated under their ownership until 1941, when she was requisitioned for war service. During the war, her ownership changed hands multiple times: she was under the U.S. Maritime Commission in 1942, the Ministry of War Transport in London, England, in 1944, and returned to the U.S. Maritime Commission in Washington, D.C., in 1946.
In 1947, the vessel was purchased by Colonial Steamships Ltd. of Port Colborne, Ontario, and underwent a rebuild at Port Weller, Ontario. Following this refurbishment, she was renamed Queenston. The vessel continued operations under Colonial Steamships Ltd. and later Scott Misener Steamship Co. until 1960.
Final Disposition
After being decommissioned in 1959, the vessel was acquired by the Bob-Lo Ferry Company Ltd. in 1961. That fall, she was scuttled to serve as a foundation and facing for a new dock on the Canadian side of Bob-Lo Island (Bois Blanc Island) in the Detroit River.
Located By & Date Found
Nil
Notmars & Advisories
Nil
Resources & Links
- Fr. Edward J. Dowling, S.J. Marine Historical Collection: Lachinedoc
- The Sunderland Site Page 083
- Boblo Island, Part 1: “Lachinedoc” – nailhed
Conclusion
The Lachinedoc’s multifaceted service life, encompassing commercial operations, wartime requisition, and eventual repurposing as dock infrastructure, reflects the adaptive utilization of maritime assets throughout the mid-20th century. Her transitions through various ownerships and roles underscore the dynamic nature of Great Lakes shipping during this period.
Keywords: Lachinedoc, Queenston, Boblodock, bulk freighter, Great Lakes shipping, Bob-Lo Island, Bois Blanc Island, Colonial Steamships Ltd., N. M. Paterson & Sons Ltd., Scott Misener Steamship Co.
Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Vessel Histories
Glossary Terms: Gross Tonnage, Beam, Draft, Scuttling, Bulk Freighter, Triple-Expansion Steam Engine, Requisition
lachinedoc-queenston-boblodock-c-149430 1961-10-09 23:04:00