(built 1873; lost October 17, 1905)
Identification & Site Information
- Name: Vesta
- Official number: Not recorded in available sources
- Year built: 1873, as a wooden Schooner‑Barge
- Length & tonnage: approx. 135 ft, 260 tons (gross/net) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Date of loss: October 17, 1905
- Loss location: Michael Bay, off Manitoulin Island, Lake Huron (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Cause of loss: Fire while under tow—burned to a Total Loss
- Casualties: None reported (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Vessel Type
- A wooden Schooner‑Barge, built 1873, commonly towed by steamers as part of lumber transport operations (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Description
- Constructed of timber, measuring approximately 135 ft in length with a Gross Tonnage near 260 tons. Built specifically for lumber carrying in consort with tow-steamers.
History
- Ownership: Owned by W. J. Pulling of Windsor, Ontario at time of loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Operational use: Employed in lumber transport operations on Lake Huron, carried in tow behind the Steamer JUNO, seeking shelter in gale conditions when incident occurred (Wikipedia)
Final Disposition
- On October 17, 1905, while sheltering from a gale in Michael Bay, the Schooner‑Barge Vesta caught fire and was completely destroyed. The towing Steamer Juno had brought her into the bay for protection, but the fire consumed her entirely, resulting in Total Loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- No injuries; vessel was declared a Total Loss immediately.
Located By & Date Found
- No confirmed wreck surveys or dive records associated with Vesta are documented. The wreck site is not listed in major wreck databases (e.g., NOAA Thunder Bay, 3DShipwrecks).
NOTMARs & Advisories
- No Notices to Mariners or later hazard advisories mention Vesta; none recorded.
Resources & Links
- WordPress “Great Lakes Shipwreck Files” (V‑section) including spec and loss details (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Secondary reference: NSSP (Northern Shipwreck Society Project) citation as vessel burn incident (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Research Gaps & Recommendations
- Owner & crew records: No names or crew manifests located—search Ontario maritime registries, Windsor / Niagara region archives, and possible insurance/court filings.
- Local newspapers: Review fall 1905 editions of Windsor Star, Manitoulin newspapers, or North Bay Chronicle for incident reports, crew statements, cargo manifests.
- Tow Steamer JUNO: Potential to cross-reference Steamer logs or registry of Juno to uncover operational diary or insurance claims.
- Site survey: Michael Bay shallow water acoustic or diver investigation could locate remnants; fire may have left recognizable debris.
Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Vesta |
| Built | 1873 (wooden Schooner‑Barge) |
| Vessel Type | Schooner-Barge (tow‑operation) |
| Specs | ca. 135 ft, ~260 tons |
| Loss Date | October 17, 1905 |
| Loss Location | Michael Bay, Manitoulin Island, Lake Huron |
| Cause | Fire while under tow by Steamer Juno |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Fate | Burned to Total Loss |
| Wreck Located | Not located / documented |
| Documentation Gaps | Crew names, registry data, tow Steamer logs, physical site |
Next Steps for Research
- Integrate records of Juno‘s operation logs or insurance filings to identify context of tow and incident.
- Dive into digitized newspaper archives for first-hand accounts or insurance aftermath.
- Consult Ontario provincial registry or Windsor maritime administration—there may be local vessel records or office files on W. J. Pulling’s operations.