Identification & Site Information:

• Name: F.H. Prince
• Other Names: None
• Type of Ship: Propeller Steamer, Wooden Hull, Package Freighter (converted to sand/gravel Dredge in 1910)
• Dimensions Length: 240 ft (73.15 m Beam: 42 ft (12.80 m Depth: 25 ft (7.62 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 2,047
• Net Tonnage: 1,547
• Built: 1890 in Detroit, Michigan, by the Detroit Shipbuilding Company (Hull #102)
• Official Number: 120797
• Original Owner: Rutland Transit Co., Ogdensburg, New York
• Final Location: East side of Kelleys Island, Lake Erie
• GPS Location: 41 36.240 N 82 40.520 W
• Final Date of Loss: 14 August 1911

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Vessel Type:

Originally designed as a wooden-hulled package freighter, the F.H. Prince was built to transport goods efficiently across the Great Lakes. In 1910, the vessel was converted into a sand and gravel Dredge, reflecting the changing needs of its owners and the industry.

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Description:

The F.H. Prince was a large, single-masted, screw-propelled wooden freighter powered by a compound steam engine. This vessel was part of a fleet operating on the Great Lakes during a time when wooden hulls were still widely used but beginning to be replaced by steel construction. The ship’s machinery included:

• Engine: A 28″ x 52″ x 40″ for-and-aft compound steam engine, generating 800 horsepower at 74 rpm, manufactured by Dry Dock Engine Works in Detroit.
• Boilers: Two firebox boilers, 12 ft x 11 ft, running at 120 psi.

This robust propulsion system allowed the F.H. Prince to handle heavy cargo loads, including gravel and sand during its later service.

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History:

• 1890: Constructed by Detroit Shipbuilding Company and launched for Rutland Transit Co. in Ogdensburg, New York, the F.H. Prince operated primarily as a package freighter.
• 1893, December 18: Ownership transferred to Ogdensburg Transit Co., remaining active in cargo trade.
• 1906, December 9: Damaged by ice while operating in Ogdensburg. This incident demonstrated the challenges of navigating the Great Lakes during harsh winters.
• 1910: Purchased by Great Lakes Freighting Co. of Cleveland, Ohio, and converted from a freighter into a sand and gravel Dredge to meet the growing demand for construction materials.
• 1911: Ownership passed to H.K. Oaks of Cleveland, Ohio.

In August 1911, the vessel’s bow caught fire while docked near the east side of Kelleys Island in Lake Erie. The crew managed to beach the burning ship to prevent further loss. However, the fire rekindled days later, engulfing the aft section. The F.H. Prince was declared a Total Loss and Abandoned at the site.

By 1914, the ship’s engine was salvaged by William Ellery of Detroit, marking one of the last acts involving the vessel.

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Final Disposition:

The remains of the F.H. Prince lie near Kelleys Island, Lake Erie. The fire that consumed the vessel destroyed most of its structure, making it a Total Loss. While some materials, including its engine, were salvaged, the wreck was not fully recovered and was Abandoned at its final resting place.

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Located By & Date Found:

While not specifically documented as a dive site or extensively explored wreck, the F.H. Prince’s final location on the east side of Kelleys Island has been noted in historical records.

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NOTMARs & Advisories:

The wreckage is not marked on modern navigational maps, and there are no known obstructions associated with its site. However, divers and researchers should exercise caution when exploring the area due to shifting sediments and incomplete records of the wreck’s condition.

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Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – Bowling Green State University
• Save Ontario Shipwrecks
• Library and Archives Canada
• David Swayze Shipwreck Database
• Wikipedia
• Great Lakes Ships

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Keywords:

• F.H. Prince Shipwreck
• Lake Erie Shipwrecks
• Great Lakes Wooden Freighters
• Kelleys Island Maritime History
• Detroit Shipbuilding Company

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Conclusion:

The F.H. Prince was a typical Great Lakes freighter of its time, evolving with industry demands before meeting its fiery end in 1911 near Kelleys Island, Lake Erie. While the wreck has faded into obscurity, its story highlights the challenges of operating wooden vessels on the Great Lakes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Further exploration of its remains could provide valuable insights into the construction and operation of package freighters and dredges of the era.