Identification & Site Information
•Vessel Name: D. P. Dobbins
•Official Numbers: U.S.6095 (U.S.), C.126228 (Canada)
•Year Built: 1863
•Builder: Cleveland, Ohio
•Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner Barge
•Dimensions:
•Length: 162.3 feet (49.4 meters)
•Beam: 31.6 feet (9.6 meters)
•Depth: 12.2 feet (3.7 meters)
•Tonnage:
•Gross: 448 tons
•Net: 425 tons
•Final Disposition: Scuttled in Lake Ontario in 1926.
Vessel Description
The D. P. Dobbins was a robust wooden Schooner Barge built during the height of the Great Lakes shipping industry. Originally designed for transporting bulk goods such as coal, limestone, and other heavy materials, it served as a vital component in the regional industrial economy. Its construction and operation were emblematic of the utility and durability demanded by mid-19th-century shipping.
History
Early Service and U.S. Ownership
The vessel was named after Captain D. P. Dobbins, a prominent shipowner from Buffalo, New York. Initially, the Barge operated under U.S. registry, transporting goods across the Great Lakes under various owners, including the Argo Steamship Co. of Cleveland, one of the significant shipping enterprises of the time.
Canadian Ownership and Quarry Operations
By 1914, the D. P. Dobbins was sold to Point Anne Quarries Ltd., a Canadian company specializing in quarrying and stone transport. Under Canadian ownership, the vessel was likely employed to carry bulk limestone and similar materials, contributing to the burgeoning construction and industrial sectors in Ontario.
Final Years and Scuttling
In the early 1920s, after decades of service, the D. P. Dobbins was retired and laid up in the West Market Street slip in Toronto. As Toronto Harbour underwent expansion and modernization, derelict vessels like the D. P. Dobbins posed obstacles to progress. Around 1926, the Barge was raised from the slip, towed into Lake Ontario, and deliberately scuttled in deep water—a common practice at the time for decommissioned ships.
Historical Significance
The D. P. Dobbins is a classic example of the durable, hardworking vessels that supported the industrial economy of the Great Lakesduring the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From its origins in Cleveland to its final service in Canadian quarrying, the vessel exemplified the dynamic nature of maritime commerce during its era.
Its scuttling highlights the evolution of port cities like Toronto, where older ships were retired to make way for newer technologies and expanding infrastructure. While no longer visible, the D. P. Dobbins is a silent witness to the transformation of the Great Lakes as a vital corridor of industry and trade.
Final Disposition
•Location: Scuttled in Lake Ontario, exact coordinates unrecorded.
•Depth: Presumed deep water; the exact depth is unknown.
•Current Condition: The wreck, if intact, would likely be degraded due to the passage of time and the natural forces of Lake Ontario.
Resources & Links
•Maritime History of the Great Lakes
Conclusion
The D. P. Dobbins remains a part of the rich maritime legacy of the Great Lakes. Its history reflects the resilience of 19th-century Schooner barges and their pivotal role in transporting goods across the lakes. The vessel’s scuttling in 1926 marked the end of an era but ensured its place in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history.
Keywords: D. P. Dobbins, Schooner Barge, Great Lakes Shipping, Lake Ontario, Scuttled Ship, Maritime History, Point Anne Quarries.