Shotline Diving

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Nellie Reddington C 141594

Explore the wreck of the Nellie Reddington, a historic wooden schooner scuttled in the St. Lawrence River after over 60 years of service in the Great Lakes trade.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Nellie Reddington
  • Type: Schooner
  • Year Built: 1872
  • Builder: Quayle & Martin
  • Dimensions: Length: 205.9 ft (62.8 m); Beam: 33.8 ft; Depth of hold: 14.9 ft
  • Registered Tonnage: 816 tons
  • Location: St. Lawrence River
  • Official Number: US 18731 / C141594
  • Original Owners: Reddington & Adams, Mona Transportation Co., O.W. Blodgett, Connely Brothers, Sin-Mac Lines
  • Number of Masts: 3

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Nellie Reddington was a three-masted wooden schooner designed for transporting large cargoes such as ore and coal, well-suited for the demands of trade on the Great Lakes.

Description

The Nellie Reddington was built in 1872 in Cleveland, Ohio, and served for over 60 years in various roles, primarily in the bulk transport of materials across the Great Lakes.

History

The Nellie Reddington played a significant role in the ore trade on Lake Superior and was towed by various freighters and tugs throughout her operational history. She was regularly used for transporting bulk materials, a common cargo for large schooners during her time.

Significant Incidents

  • 1885: Part of the Lake Superior ore trade, towed by the bulk freighter HECLA.
  • November 1886: Ran ashore near Two Rivers, Wisconsin, but was refloated.
  • 1890: Towed by the tug ONAPING.
  • 1898: Owned by the Mona Transportation Co., towed by the bulk freighter GEORGE PRESLEY.
  • 1908: Ownership changed to O.W. Blodgett of Cleveland, Ohio.
  • 1919: Towed by the steam barge MYRON.
  • 1920: Acquired by the Connely Brothers of Buffalo, New York.
  • 1922: Registered under Canadian number C141594 by Sin-Mac Lines.

Final Disposition

After more than 60 years of service, the Nellie Reddington was abandoned in 1933 and subsequently scuttled in the St. Lawrence River, marking the end of her operational life.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Nellie Reddington lies in the St. Lawrence River, with its condition reflecting the passage of time since its scuttling in 1933.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”nellie-reddington-c-141594″ title=”References & Links”]

The Nellie Reddington exemplifies the significant role of wooden schooners in Great Lakes commerce, particularly during the late 19th century, and serves as a reminder of the maritime history of the region.

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.

Vessel Name: Nellie Reddington

Official Number: US 18731
Year of Build: 1872
Built at: Cleveland, Ohio
Vessel Type: Schooner
Hull Materials: Wood
Builder: Quayle & Martin
Original Owners: Reddington & Adams, Cleveland

Construction and Specifications

The Nellie Reddington was a three-masted wooden schooner built in 1872 by Quayle & Martin in Cleveland, Ohio. Designed for transporting large cargoes such as ore and coal, this schooner was well-suited to handle the growing demands of trade on the Great Lakes.

  • Length: 205.9 feet
  • Beam: 33.8 feet
  • Depth: 14.9 feet
  • Gross Tonnage: 816 tons
  • Number of Decks: 1

Operational History

The Nellie Reddington served in several roles over her 61-year lifespan, playing a significant part in the ore trade on Lake Superior and being towed by various freighters and tugs throughout her career. The schooner was regularly used for transporting bulk materials, a common cargo for large schooners on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Notable Events:

  • 1885: The schooner was part of the Lake Superior ore trade, where it was towed by the bulk freighter HECLA. This trade was an essential part of the development of the iron ore industry in the region.
  • November 1886: The Nellie Reddington ran ashore near Two Rivers, Wisconsin, but was refloated and returned to service.
  • 1890: Towed by the tug ONAPING, which continued the schooner’s service in the Great Lakes region.
  • 1898: The vessel was owned by the Mona Transportation Co., and during this time, it was towed by the bulk freighter GEORGE PRESLEY, transporting bulk materials such as ore and coal.
  • 1908: Ownership changed to O.W. Blodgett of Cleveland, Ohio.
  • 1919: The schooner was towed by the steam barge MYRON, continuing its role in bulk transport across the lakes.
  • 1920: The Connely Brothers of Buffalo, New York took ownership of the vessel, and it continued operating as a towed schooner in the bulk trade.
  • 1922: The vessel was acquired by Sin-Mac Lines of Montreal, Quebec and registered under Canadian number C141594.

Final Fate

After more than 60 years of service, the Nellie Reddington was abandoned in 1933 and subsequently scuttled in the St. Lawrence River. By this point, many of the older wooden schooners were being retired and scuttled as they were no longer economically viable in an era dominated by steamships and steel-hulled vessels.

Final Location:

  • St. Lawrence River, 1933
  • Fate: Abandoned and scuttled.

Key Events in the Life of the Nellie Reddington:

  1. 1872: Built in Cleveland, Ohio by Quayle & Martin.
  2. 1885: Towed in the Lake Superior ore trade by the freighter HECLA.
  3. 1886: Ran ashore near Two Rivers, Wisconsin, but refloated.
  4. 1898: Towed by the bulk freighter GEORGE PRESLEY.
  5. 1922: Registered under Sin-Mac Lines, Montreal.
  6. 1933: Abandoned and scuttled in the St. Lawrence River.

The Nellie Reddington is an example of the many large schooners that played a crucial role in the development of Great Lakes commerce, particularly during the late 19th century. Though eventually scuttled, the vessel’s long service life and adaptability through multiple ownerships underscore the importance of schooners in the bulk transport industry during their era.

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