David W. Mills
Water Depth: 3 - 25ft
Cause and Date of Loss:Ran Aground, August 11th, 1919
Loss of Life:None
Boat Specifications: Wooden hull, single screw steam engine
In Use:1874-1919
History
TheDavid W. Mills, originally called Sparta, was a wooden freighter built in 1874 in Cleveland, Ohio, by Thomas Quayle & Sons Shipyard. Its machinery - one steam engine, one 32 x 36” high-pressure engine, an 11’ x 16’ firebox boiler with a single shaft, and one screw propeller that worked at a rate of 485 horsepower - was installed by Globe Iron Works also in Cleveland, Ohio1. She was built for the Marquette ore trade within the Great Lakes, and was first captained by Cpt. McKay2.
While still being built, theSparta (David W. Mills) had her first of what would be several incidents during her career as a freighter. P.A. Sweeney, a gas fitter working on her in the dry docks, fell from scaffolding and through a hatch into the hold of the ship. This fall caused both legs to break, requiring a doctor to be called to attend to him3.
Her first voyage was a trial sail, which had the director of the Cleveland transportation board, along with a large group of people. The vessel was deemed “satisfactory” on this voyage and was sent into service shortly after4. The steamerSparta changed ownership multiple times in her early years but remained in the Great Lakes. She was reported to have carried various cargoes, including soft coal, lumber, and ores. In 1897, she was brought in twice for repairs during the season, with updates being done to her decks and machinery. After the turn of the 20th century, the steamerSparta went through a few major events.
The first was in 1904. The ship suffered extensive damage around the stern area from a fire. It was unclear how the fire originated. It took a few hours to put the fire out, and parts of the hull burned to the waterline5. After the fire, the ship sat unused until 1907, when she was rebuilt for $20,000. Her machinery was removed, and newer machinery was brought in from the vessel,Argonaut, which had also burned in a fire.
Later in 1907, theSparta was rechristened as theDavid W. Mills while still in service out of Port Huron. This renaming was in line with other ships, such as theN. Mills, that were in service with the Mills Transportation Company at that time.
Over one decade later, and only one year before her final voyage, the David W. Mills was caught in a strong gale in Lake Erie while en route to Montreal carrying coal. During the night, the ship had been overtaken by large waves and sprung a leak. The captain put up distress signals that were then seen by the local coast guard. The ship was saved by the quick thinking of Captain George C. Stevenson, who changed courses and brought the ship closer to shore near Grand River. The Coast Guard evacuated the crew from the boat, which then sank in nine feet of water6.
Sinking
1919 was the final season theDavid W. Mills operated before its sinking. In March of that year, it had been purchased by Captain G. Peterson of Cleveland, who planned to repair the ship after she sank the previous year7.
Early on the morning of August 11th, 1919, theDavid W. Mills was on a regular run from Montreal to Sodus carrying a light load of coal. However, dense smoke had settled over the Lake that morning from forest fires in Canada. Navigation had become difficult, and while Captain Lanagan tried to navigate with his compass, it was not enough to avoid the shallows of Ford Shoal. The vessel struck the area while moving fast, causing the propeller shaft to twist. The vessel was unable to maneuver with the damaged propeller and shaft8. The ship was stuck on the shoal indefinitely.
Stakeholders and members of the Coast Guard assessed what to do with the ship - whether it would come off the shoal itself in a large surge, should be stripped, or be towed off the shoal. There was uncertainty as to whether the ship would be broken apart if the Coast Guard attempted to tow it. Multiple inquiries were made into companies that could tow it or destroy it9; however, no parties were willing to pay the cost of doing this. The ship remained abandoned on the shoal until the weather turned in October.
On October 7th, 1919, it was reported by the Oswego Daily Times that the SteamerMills had been broken up by strong waves. The bow had broken off, and parts of it washed onto the nearby beach. The stern with the machinery remained on the shoal. A company by the name of LeBeau Wrecking Company had been contracted to remove her boiler and engines, her light fixtures, and other small machinery had been stripped in previous weeks10. The ship was insured for $15,000.
No lives were lost in the damage and sinking of theDavid W. Mills.
