Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

N. Mills (1870)

Explore the history of the N. Mills, a wooden-hulled barge that met a tragic fate in 1906, highlighting the dangers of Great Lakes navigation.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: MILLS
  • Type: Wooden-Hulled Barge
  • Year Built: 1870
  • Builder: Philander Lester
  • Dimensions: 164.4 ft (50.1 m); Beam: 29.9 ft (9.1 m); Depth of hold: 11.6 ft (3.5 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: Gross: 391.49 tons; Net: 305.91 tons
  • Location: St. Clair River, opposite McGregor Point
  • Original Owners: Mills Transportation Co., N. Mills & Co., Port Huron Navigation Co.

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The MILLS was a wooden-hulled barge primarily used for transporting lumber across the Great Lakes.

Description

The MILLS was constructed in 1870 by Philander Lester in Vicksburg, Michigan. It was designed to carry large quantities of lumber, with a capacity of 385,000 board feet. The barge was typically towed by other vessels, including the tug A. ANDERSON.

History

Construction and Ownership: The MILLS was built for the Mills Transportation Co. of Port Huron, Michigan, which included notable figures such as Nelson and B. Mills and Henry McMorran. The ownership changed multiple times, including:

  • 1888: Owned by N. Mills & Co. of Cleveland, Ohio.
  • 1901: Operated by Port Huron Navigation Co., with N. Mills as president.

Engine Specifications: The barge was equipped with a steeple compound engine manufactured by Cuyahoga Iron Works in Cleveland, Ohio, featuring cylinders of 20 + 36 x 30 inches and generating 400 HP at 95 revolutions per minute.

Significant Incidents

Final Incident:

  • Date: September 6, 1906
  • Location: South of St. Clair, opposite McGregor Point, St. Clair River
  • Event: The MILLS collided head-on with the steel steamer MILWAUKEE while en route from Cleveland to Algoma Mills, resulting in catastrophic damage and the loss of two lives, including the wife of the engineer.
  • Aftermath: The wreck was subsequently blown up to clear the navigational channel.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the MILLS was destroyed to clear the St. Clair River channel, leaving no significant remnants for exploration. However, its historical significance remains preserved through accounts and archival materials.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck was removed, and no significant remains are available for divers. Historical documentation continues to honor the legacy of the MILLS and its role in Great Lakes commerce.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”n-mills-1870″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The story of the MILLS serves as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by mariners navigating the Great Lakes. From its construction in 1870 to its tragic collision in 1906, the MILLS played a significant role in the region’s lumber trade, leaving behind a legacy marked by both progress and peril.

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: MILLS
  • Type: Wooden-Hulled Barge
  • Built: 1870
  • Builder: Philander Lester
  • Construction Site: Vicksburg (Marysville), Michigan
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 164.4 ft (50.1 m)
    • Beam: 29.9 ft (9.1 m)
    • Depth: 11.6 ft (3.5 m)
  • Tonnage:
    • Gross: 391.49 tons
    • Net: 305.91 tons
  • Capacity: 385,000 board feet of lumber
  • Final Location: St. Clair River, opposite McGregor Point
  • Depth: Wreck was removed (blown up) to clear the channel

HISTORY

Construction and Ownership:

The MILLS was built in 1870 by Philander Lester for the Mills Transportation Co. of Port Huron, Michigan, a group that included Nelson and B. Mills of Marysville and Henry McMorran of Port Huron. Over the years, it changed ownership multiple times:

  • 1888: Owned by N. Mills & Co. of Cleveland, Ohio.
  • 1901: Operated by Port Huron Navigation Co., with N. Mills as president.

Usage:

Primarily engaged in the lumber trade, the MILLS was used to transport vast quantities of lumber across the Great Lakes. It was typically towed by other vessels, including the tug A. ANDERSON, and underwent modifications and repairs over its long service life.

Engine Specifications:

The barge was equipped with a steeple compound engine, manufactured by Cuyahoga Iron Works in Cleveland, Ohio.

  • Cylinders: 20 + 36 x 30 inches
  • Horsepower: 400 HP at 95 revolutions per minute

FINAL INCIDENT

Date: September 6, 1906

Location: South of St. Clair, opposite McGregor Point, St. Clair River

Event:

  • While en route from Cleveland, Ohio, to Algoma Mills, Ontario, under tow by the tug A. ANDERSON, the MILLS collided head-on with the steel steamer MILWAUKEE.
  • The MILLS sustained catastrophic damage, with its bow crushed upon impact.
  • Casualties:
    • Two lives were lost, including the wife of the engineer.
    • The remaining crew escaped.
  • Aftermath:
    • The wreck posed a navigational hazard and was subsequently blown up to clear the channel.

SIGNIFICANCE

The MILLS represents a vital period in Great Lakes maritime history, highlighting the importance of the lumber trade during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its collision with the MILWAUKEE underscores the inherent dangers of navigating the busy waterways of the Great Lakes, where visibility and coordination challenges often led to tragic incidents.

CURRENT CONDITION

The wreck was destroyed to clear the St. Clair River channel, leaving no significant remnants for exploration. However, historical accounts and archival materials preserve the legacy of the MILLS and its contributions to Great Lakes commerce.

NOTES FOR RESEARCHERS

  • Historical Importance: The MILLS illustrates the evolution of Great Lakes trade and transportation, particularly in the lumber industry.
  • Documentation Sources:
    • Buffalo and Detroit newspapers from 1906 provide detailed accounts of the collision and subsequent salvage operations.
    • Archival records from the Port Huron Navigation Co. shed light on ownership and operational history.

REFERENCES & LINKS

CONCLUSION

The story of the MILLS serves as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by mariners navigating the Great Lakes. From its construction in 1870 to its tragic collision in 1906, the MILLS played a significant role in the region’s lumber trade, leaving behind a legacy marked by both progress and peril.

KEYWORDS – #GreatLakes #Shipwrecks #MILLS #StClairRiver #MaritimeHistory #LumberTrade

n-mills-1870 1906-09-06 07:48:00