Identification & Site Information

• Name: B.L. Webb
• Former Names: None (Hull later Rebuilt and renamed Marquette?)
• Official Number: None assigned
• Date Built and Launched: 1856
• Builder: J.A. Jenkins at the shipyard of G.B. Russell, Detroit, Michigan
• Measurements: Length: 183 ft (55.78 m) Beam (Width): 36 ft (10.97 m) Depth of Hold: 16 ft (4.88 m)
• Tonnage: 856 tons
• Date Lost: November 13, 1856
• Place of Loss: Waiska Bay, just west of Sault Ste. Marie (Soo), Lake Superior
• Type of Loss: Storm-related stranding followed by fire
• Loss of Life: 1 (crew member froze to death)
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Supplies destined for Marquette, Michigan

Vessel Type

The B.L. Webb was a wooden-hulled propeller-driven Steamship designed for both package freight and bulk cargo, reflecting the dual-purpose vessel designs common during the mid-19th century on the Great Lakes. She was constructed to serve the rapidly growing industrial and commercial needs of Lake Superior ports, particularly with the rise of iron ore shipments from the Marquette region.

Description

Built in Detroit, Michigan, by J.A. Jenkins at G.B. Russell’s shipyard, the B.L. Webb represented state-of-the-art Steamship technology for her time. Measuring 183 feet in length with a beam of 36 feet and a 16-foot depth of hold, she had a Gross Tonnage of 856 tons. Her wooden construction was typical of the era, with a design optimized for both package freight and bulk cargo operations—key for supporting the mining and settlement boom around Lake Superior.

Despite her promising build and modern features, the B.L. Webb had an exceptionally brief career, lasting only 47 days from her launch to her loss.

History

The B.L. Webb embarked on her maiden operations in the fall of 1856, tasked with transporting supplies to the rapidly developing mining communities along Lake Superior’s southern shore, especially around Marquette. These regions were booming due to the iron ore industry, and vessels like the B.L. Webb were critical lifelines for materials, equipment, and general goods.

However, on November 13, 1856, while en route with a cargo of supplies bound for Marquette, the vessel encountered a severe storm on Lake Superior. She stranded in Waiska Bay, located just west of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The situation quickly deteriorated as the ship’s condition worsened. In the freezing weather, one crew member tragically died from exposure before rescue could be effected.

Following the stranding, the B.L. Webb caught fire, likely due to damage sustained during the grounding combined with the vulnerability of her wooden superstructure and onboard equipment. The fire consumed the vessel, leaving only the gutted Hull behind. The financial loss was significant—estimated at $50,000 (equivalent to over $1.5 million today, adjusted for inflation).

Final Disposition

Despite the catastrophic damage, the Hull of the B.L. Webb was salvaged the following year. Rather than scrapping the remains, the vessel’s structure was Rebuilt and repurposed. In her second incarnation, she was renamed the Marquette, continuing her service on the Great Lakes. This practice of reusing hulls was common during the 19th century, as timber and shipbuilding resources were valuable, and the basic structure often remained salvageable even after severe damage.

Located By & Date Found

Nil – There are no known records confirming the discovery of the B.L. Webb’s original wreck site in Waiska Bay. Given that the Hull was salvaged and Rebuilt, any remaining wreckage would likely be minimal.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Waiska Bay, near Sault Ste. Marie, remains an active maritime area. While the wreck itself is not a marked hazard, mariners navigating Lake Superior’s eastern approaches should consult updated nautical charts for general submerged obstructions in this historically busy shipping corridor.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU)
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Lake Superior Shipwreck Database
• NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: B.L. Webb, Marquette, Lake Superior shipwreck, Waiska Bay, wooden propeller steamship, Great Lakes maritime history, 19th-century Steamship disasters

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Superior, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Steamships, Salvaged and Rebuilt Vessels

Glossary Terms:

• Propeller (Steamship): A steam-powered vessel propelled by a screw propeller, as opposed to paddlewheels, common from the mid-19th century onward.
• Package Freight: Cargo consisting of packaged goods rather than bulk materials, often transported alongside bulk freight.
• Stranding: The act of a vessel running aground or being beached, often due to navigational errors, storms, or mechanical failure.
• Hull Salvage: The recovery of a ship’s structural remains for rebuilding or repurposing after a major maritime incident.

Conclusion

The B.L. Webb’s brief but eventful existence is a stark reminder of the perils faced by early Great Lakes steamships. Launched with promise in 1856, she was lost within weeks to the unforgiving conditions of Lake Superior—a harsh environment that tested even the sturdiest vessels. Her eventual rebirth as the Marquette reflects the resilience and resourcefulness of 19th-century maritime practices, where even in disaster, there was often an opportunity for renewal.