The James B. Colgate ship has a rich history that's worth exploring. The ship was built in 1918 by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation.
The James B. Colgate was initially designed as a cargo ship, but it went on to serve in World War II as a troop transport.
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History
The James B. Colgate was built in 1892 by the American Steel Barge Company in West Superior, Wisconsin. The ship was a vessel of its time, designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the Great Lakes region.
The Pittsburgh Steamship Company owned the James B. Colgate and used it to ship goods throughout the region. This was the ship's maiden voyage, and it went on to survive for 24 years, despite facing numerous storms.
On one fateful day, the James B. Colgate met its demise in a storm that was one of the worst Lake Erie had ever endured. The ship was eventually unable to stay afloat and sank due to the amount of water pouring into the cargo hold.
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The crew of the James B. Colgate knew the ship was in peril, but they had no means of communication to send a distress signal. This lack of communication ultimately led to the tragic loss of the entire crew, except for Captain Grashaw.
The James B. Colgate was one of four ships that met their demise on that day, along with the D.L. Filer, Marshall F. Butters, and Merida. Captain Grashaw was the only survivor of the James B. Colgate and was forced to rely on a life preserver to save his life.
Here's a list of some of the key facts about the James B. Colgate:
- Built in 1892 by the American Steel Barge Company in West Superior, Wisconsin
- Owned by the Pittsburgh Steamship Company
- Maiden voyage occurred on 21 September 1892
- Sank in a storm on Lake Erie
- Captain Grashaw was the only survivor of the ship
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