Vessel Identification and Specifications

  • Vessel Name: NEIL COCHRANE (also recorded as NEIL COCHRAN)
  • Official Number: 18517
  • Type: Scow-Schooner
  • Builder: W. Simms
  • Build Location: Port Hope
  • Build Year: 1868
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 76 feet (23.2 meters)
    • Beam (Width): 21 feet (6.4 meters)
    • Depth: 12 feet (3.7 meters)
    • Gross Tonnage: 87 tons
  • Primary Operating Area: Lake Huron

Vessel Type and Usage

The NEIL COCHRANE was a scow-Schooner, a vessel type characterized by its flat-bottomed design, which was advantageous for carrying heavy cargoes like timber, coal, and other goods in shallow waters. Scow-schooners were commonly used on the Great Lakes in the 19th century due to their cargo capacity and adaptability for shallow areas. The NEIL COCHRANE’s design made it well-suited for Lake Huron’s coastal trade, supporting various commercial needs in the region.

Incident Summary and Final Disposition

The NEIL COCHRANE met its fate in late September or early October of 1872 amid a violent storm that swept across Lake Huron. The exact events leading to its sinking are not fully documented, but it is believed that the vessel capsized during the storm, a fate shared by many vessels in the Great Lakes’ turbulent weather.

Location and Loss Documentation

The Detroit Free Press confirmed the loss on December 14, 1872, reporting that the scow had been wrecked at Elm Creek on Lake Huron. With the vessel’s official documentation surrendered at Port Huron on November 13, 1877, the NEIL COCHRANE was formally noted as having been wrecked in 1872.

The incident adds to the tragic tally of ships lost in the powerful gales that struck Lake Huron around this time. Unfortunately, due to scarce historical documentation, the fate of the crew and any cargo they were carrying remains unknown.

Historical Context and Challenges of Great Lakes Navigation

The loss of the NEIL COCHRANE reflects the inherent dangers of navigating the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Powerful storms often formed rapidly, and vessels like scow-schooners, while practical for cargo, were vulnerable to capsizing under extreme weather conditions. The Great Lakes, especially Lake Huron, were notorious for sudden and violent weather shifts, which frequently led to maritime tragedies.

This incident is part of a larger pattern of Great Lakes vessel losses due to unpredictable weather and limited navigational aids during that era. The fate of the NEIL COCHRANE remains a reminder of the dangers faced by mariners in these waters.

Primary Source and Reference

The Detroit Free Press article from December 14, 1872 offers confirmation of the vessel’s loss. The paper’s report provides one of the few pieces of evidence documenting the NEIL COCHRANE’s tragic end, highlighting the challenges of verifying such incidents due to limited contemporary records.

Conclusion

The NEIL COCHRANE exemplifies the risks that scow-schooners and other vessels faced on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Built in 1868, the vessel had a short but active life, contributing to regional commerce on Lake Huron before its demise in a fierce storm in 1872. The lack of detailed records regarding its crew and cargo only adds to the mystery surrounding its sinking, leaving the vessel as part of the untold stories of Great Lakes maritime history.