Identification & Site Information

• Name: B. West
• Former Names: None documented
• Official Number: 162514
• Date Built and Launched: 1905
• Builder: Unknown, constructed in Buffalo, New York
• Vessel Type: Self-Propelled Lumber Barge, steel-hulled
• Some sources describe the vessel as a Gas Screw, powered by two large outboard motors in later years.
• Hull Material: Steel  Length: 100 ft (30.48 m)  Beam (Width): 24 ft (7.32 m) Depth of Hold: 6 ft (1.83 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 122 tons
• Net Tonnage: 122 tons
• Date Lost: December 16, 1957
• Place of Loss: Near the mouth of Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan, Lake Michigan
• GPS: 45°13’00.0″N 85°38’40.0″W
• Lat/Long: 45 °13′00″ N, 85°38′40″ W
• Type of Loss: Foundering due to mechanical failure in heavy weather
• Loss of Life: None of the 2 crew members
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Lumber

Vessel Type

The B. West was a self-propelled lumber Barge with a steel Hull, an uncommon configuration on the Great Lakes. Originally built in 1905, she was designed to transport lumber, a key commodity during the era’s booming timber industry. Over time, she underwent modifications that included the addition of gasoline-powered outboard motors, which replaced or supplemented her original propulsion system, leading some records to describe her as a Gas Screw vessel.

Description

Constructed in Buffalo, New York, in 1905, the B. West measured 100 feet in length, with a 24-foot beam and a 6-foot depth of hold. Her Gross Tonnage of 122 tons indicates a vessel optimized for carrying substantial lumber loads while maintaining the flexibility to navigate the narrower passages and harbours typical of northern Lake Michigan.

Her steel Hull provided enhanced durability compared to the wooden vessels that were still common during the early 20th century, particularly in the rough waters of Lake Michigan. The later addition of outboard motors reflects efforts to modernize the vessel, likely as a cost-effective alternative to more extensive engine overhauls or to improve manoeuvrability.

Operational History

The B. West served the Great Lakes lumber trade for over five decades, operating primarily in Lake Michigan. Her steel construction and later propulsion modifications suggest she was adaptable to the changing needs of the industry, even as larger, more modern vessels began to dominate Great Lakes shipping.

By the 1950s, the vessel was owned by Perry Hammond of Muskegon, Michigan, who continued to use her for transporting lumber between North Manitou Island and Leland, Michigan. The route through Grand Traverse Baywas notorious for sudden weather changes, particularly in the late autumn and early winter when conditions on Lake Michigan could become treacherous.

Final Voyage and Loss

On December 16, 1957, the B. West was en route from North Manitou Island to Leland, Michigan, carrying a cargo of lumber. As the vessel approached the mouth of Grand Traverse Bay, she encountered heavy weather, a common hazard on Lake Michigan during the early winter months.

As the storm intensified, the B. West began taking on water. When the vessel’s Bilge pump failed, the crew lost the ability to manage the flooding. Recognizing the imminent danger, the two crew members issued a distress call and were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Efforts were made to tow the vessel to Northport, Michigan, but the B. West was too heavily compromised to remain afloat. She ultimately Foundered 1.5 miles from Grand Traverse Light Station, at the following coordinates: 45 °13′00″ N, 85°38′40″ W

Despite the vessel’s loss, owner Perry Hammond expressed plans to raise the vessel in 1958, though there is no evidence these salvage efforts were successful at the time.

Final Disposition

The B. West remained submerged near Grand Traverse Bay until her wreck was located in the summer of 2011 by students from Northwestern Michigan College. The discovery was part of a broader initiative to document Great Lakes shipwrecks, contributing valuable data to the region’s rich maritime history.

Given her steel construction, the wreck likely remains well-preserved in the cold, fresh waters of Lake Michigan, offering potential opportunities for diving exploration and maritime archaeology.

Located By & Date Found

• Located: Summer 2011
• Discovering Team: Students from Northwestern Michigan College
• Location: 1.5 miles, 69 degrees from Grand Traverse Light Station, near the mouth of Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan

NOTMARs & Advisories

The wreck of the B. West is not currently marked as a navigational hazard but is located near popular boating and diving areas around Grand Traverse Bay.

Mariners should exercise caution when navigating in this region, especially during adverse weather conditions.

Historical Significance

The B. West represents a transitional period in Great Lakes shipping, where older vessels were adapted and modified to extend their service lives in an increasingly modernized maritime industry. Her unusual combination of steel-Hull construction and outboard motor propulsion reflects the innovative solutions employed by vessel owners to maintain profitability in the face of changing technology and economic pressures.

Her rediscovery in 2011 highlights the ongoing efforts to document and preserve the maritime heritage of the Great Lakes, particularly the stories of lesser-known vessels that contributed to the region’s economic development.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU)
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Northwestern Michigan College Maritime Program
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society
• Wikipedia – Leelanau GT Light Station
• Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: B. West, Grand Traverse Bay shipwreck, Lake Michigan lumber Barge, self-propelled Barge, steel-hulled Great Lakes vessels, Northwestern Michigan College shipwreck discovery

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, 20th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Lumber Barges, Foundered Vessels

Glossary Terms:

• Self-Propelled Barge: A Barge equipped with its own propulsion system, allowing it to operate independently without a Tug.
• Gas Screw: A type of propulsion system powered by gasoline engines, often referring to smaller vessels or modified older ships.
• Bilge Pump: A pump used to remove water that collects in the Bilge, the lowest compartment of a ship, critical for maintaining buoyancy.
• Foundering: A term describing a vessel sinking due to flooding, structural failure, or other causes.
• Grand Traverse Light Station: A historic lighthouse located at the northern tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan, marking the entrance to Grand Traverse Bay.

Conclusion

The B. West’s story is a fascinating example of the adaptability and resilience of Great Lakes vessels. From her origins as a steel-hulled lumber Barge in 1905 to her final days powered by outboard motors in the 1950s, she reflects the evolving nature of maritime technology and the challenges faced by mariners on Lake Michigan. Her rediscovery in 2011 serves as a reminder of the rich maritime history lying beneath the surface of the Great Lakes and the importance of ongoing efforts to document and preserve these underwater cultural resources.