Vessel Identification

• Name: COLLINGWOOD

• Type: Steam Tug

• Year Built: 1874

• Builder: Melancthon Simpson, St. Catharines, Ontario

• Dimensions:

• Length: 61 feet (18.6 meters)

• Beam (Width): 15.4 feet (4.7 meters)

• Depth: 7.9 feet (2.4 meters)

• Tonnage:

• Gross Tonnage: 49.57 tons

• Net Tonnage: 23.61 tons

• Initial Owner: Alex Ritchie Christie, Toronto, Ontario

Engine and Propulsion Details

The COLLINGWOOD was powered by a high-pressure steam engine featuring a single-cylinder measuring 16 inches in diameter by 18 inches in stroke. This engine produced approximately 50 horsepower, which was significant for the vessel’s size. The Tug had a Screw Propulsion system and was equipped with one mast, a typical configuration for steam tugs of the time.

Primary Use and Service

• The COLLINGWOOD was primarily used as a lumber Tug in Georgian Bay, where it towed lumber and other materials to various locations along the Great Lakes. Georgian Bay, with its rugged coastlines and heavy forest resources, was a major hub for the lumber industry in the 19th century, and the COLLINGWOOD played a critical role in transporting these goods.

Ownership Changes

• Initial Ownership: The COLLINGWOOD was initially owned by Alex Ritchie Christie of Toronto, Ontario.

• Subsequent Ownership: By the time of its destruction, the Tug was owned by S.C. Kanaday & Co., a Toronto-based company that continued to operate the vessel in the lumber trade on the Great Lakes.

Incident and Final Loss

• Date of Incident: July 19, 1878

• Location: Lake Huron, approximately 1/2 mile from Byng Inlet in Georgian Bay

• Event: The COLLINGWOOD caught fire while in operation. The fire quickly spread, leading to a Total Loss of the vessel. Fortunately, all crew members on board managed to escape without injury.

The loss of the COLLINGWOOD highlights the risks faced by steam-powered vessels of that era, particularly those working in remote areas like Georgian Bay where immediate assistance was difficult to access.

Significance and Historical Context

The COLLINGWOOD serves as a reminder of the early steam-powered tugboats that were essential to industries like lumber in the Great Lakes region. Steam tugs like the COLLINGWOOD were crucial for towing cargo and supporting the burgeoning timber trade that shaped much of the economy around Georgian Bay and Lake Huron during the late 19th century.

The fire that destroyed the COLLINGWOOD underscores the vulnerability of wooden steam-powered vessels to onboard fires, a frequent risk before modern firefighting systems became available. Despite its relatively short service life, the Tug’s work in Georgian Bay contributed to the lumber trade and regional commerce during its active years.

Summary

The COLLINGWOOD was a significant vessel in the Great Lakes lumber industry, providing essential towing services in Georgian Bay. Built by Melancthon Simpson, a respected shipbuilder in St. Catharines, the Tug was marked by changes in ownership and ultimately met a tragic end due to fire. The incident reflects both the operational hazards of steam tugs and the resilience of their crews, who, in this case, managed to escape safely.