Identification & Vessel Details
- Name: Harvey Neelon
- Official Number: C73953
- Type: Propeller steam Tug (wood-hulled, partially iron-framed)
- Built: 1876, by S. Andrews at Port Dalhousie, Ontario
- Dimensions: 74 ft length × 17 ft beam × 8 ft depth; about 65 GRT / 47 NRT
- Owner: Michael LeMieux, Midland, Ontario
- Built for Lake Superior Line; later owned by Cliff & National Mines before transfer to LeMieux
Final Voyage & Fire Incident – August 23, 1906, Thunder Bay
- The Harvey Neelon caught fire while in port at Thunder Bay Harbour on Lake Superior
- The blaze was severe, resulting in a Total Loss; however, no casualties—her crew escaped in the Yawl
- The cause of the fire remains undetermined, as vessel records do not specify ignition source
- Registry sources confirm the vessel was “burned to a Total Loss” with no fatalities
Wreck Site & Aftermath
- Location: Upper harbor, Thunder Bay, Ontario
- Disposition: Destroyed on-site; likely scrapped or wreckage removed shortly thereafter—no archaeological remains today
- The incident appears to have been absorbed into broader harbor cleanup efforts of the era
Sources & Verification
- Shipwreck File “N” entry for Harvey Neelon: confirms build date, dimensions, owner, fire loss, and crew escape
Significance & Next Steps
| Research Aspect | Suggested Actions |
|---|---|
| Origin Investigation | Examine Lake Superior Line and Cliff & National Mines records for operational context and vessel role |
| Fire Cause Analysis | Review Thunder Bay Fire Department logs or harbour master reports from August 1906 |
| Archival Imagery | Search city archives or newspapers for photos or coverage of the burned Tug |
| Salvage & Recovery | Investigate dockyard or insurance documentation on debris removal or salvage post-fire |
Historical Overview
The Harvey Neelon exemplifies the era of small steam-powered harbor tugs integral to Great Lakes industrial logistics. Her loss by fire in 1906 highlights the ever-present hazard of steam-era boiler and machinery fires, even at port. While no wreck survives, her story enriches our understanding of vessel safety, port operations, and historical marine infrastructure in early 20th‑century Thunder Bay.