GEORGE W. REYNOLDS (1864)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: GEORGE W. REYNOLDS
• Official Number: 10829
• Year of Build: 1864
• Built at: Maumee City, Ohio
• Vessel Type: Steamer (Sidewheel)
• Hull Materials: Wood
• Number of Decks: 1
• Builder: Hoosack
• Original Owner: George W. Reynolds, Toledo, Ohio (likely namesake)
• Power & Propulsion. Sidewheel Steamer
• Number of Masts: 0 (engine-powered only)
• Specifications  Length: 111.7 ft (34.05 m)  Beam: 20 ft (6.1 m)  Depth: 6 ft (1.83 m)
• Tonnage (Old Style): 135 or 171 tons (readmeasured to 124.11 gross tons in 1865)
• Final Location: Mason’s Mill Dock, Bay City, Michigan, Lake Huron
• Date of Loss: November 26, 1872 (some reports note November 27)
• Cause: Burned while laid up in winter quarters
• Documents Surrendered: November 2, 1877 (indicating the vessel was officially retired from the registry)

Vessel Type

The GEORGE W. REYNOLDS was a wooden-hulled, Sidewheel Steamer, primarily used for regional passenger and cargo transportation along key waterways such as the Maumee River, Lake Erie, and Lake Huron. This vessel typified the era’s reliance on sidewheel steamers for short-haul routes, Ferry services, and light freight work.

Description & History

Launched in 1864 at Maumee City, Ohio, the GEORGE W. REYNOLDS entered service during a transformative period in Great Lakes maritime history, as steam navigation was becoming more prevalent in both commercial and passenger operations. The vessel was likely named after its first owner, George W. Reynolds, who was based in Toledo, Ohio.

Key Historical Events:

• 1864: Entered service, initially running routes between Perrysburg, Maumee, and Toledo, Ohio.
• 1865: Underwent a tonnage remeasurement to 124.11 gross tons, reflecting modifications or standard regulatory updates.
• 1866: Suffered a fire but was subsequently Rebuilt, indicating significant damage but strong economic incentives to restore the vessel.
• 1866 (May): Sold to Alexander English of East Saginaw, Michigan, marking the vessel’s shift to service routes between East Saginaw and Bay City, Michigan—key lumber ports along Lake Huron.
• 1867: Experienced a major engine failure near Wyandotte, Michigan, disrupting operations until repairs were made.
• 1868 (June 26): Co-owned by A. English & D. Cole, suggesting a partnership likely linked to lumber or shipping interests in the Saginaw Bay region.
• 1869: Operated routes between Detroit, Michigan, and Malden, Ontario, expanding its service to cross-border routes.
• 1870 (June): Laid up in Saginaw, likely due to declining demand or mechanical issues.
• 1872: Rebuilt again prior to her final loss, a testament to her owners’ efforts to maintain profitability despite recurring issues.

Final Voyage and Loss (1872)

While laid up for the winter at Mason’s Mill Dock in Bay City, Michigan, the GEORGE W. REYNOLDS caught fire on November 26 or 27, 1872. The exact cause of the fire remains unclear, but such incidents were common due to the flammable materials onboard wooden steamers, combined with the use of coal or wood-burning stoves for heating during winter layups.

The fire rapidly consumed the vessel, leading to her being declared a Total Loss. Although the vessel was officially Abandoned following the fire, the documentation associated with the ship was not formally surrendered until November 2, 1877, likely due to administrative delays in updating the maritime registry.

Connection to the Steamer EXPERIMENT

Interestingly, the GEORGE W. REYNOLDS is historically linked to the earlier Sidewheel Steamer EXPERIMENT (1837), as her machinery was salvaged from the EXPERIMENT after it sank in the St. Clair Flats in 1859. This was a common practice in the 19th century, where valuable engines and mechanical components were reused in newer vessels.

Located By & Date Found

There are no confirmed reports of the GEORGE W. REYNOLDS wreck being located. Given that the vessel burned at dock, any remnants would likely have been cleared to maintain the area’s navigability, especially considering the active shipping routes in Bay City during the late 19th century.

Notices & Advisories

Wreck Location: Mason’s Mill Dock, Bay City, Michigan, Lake Huron

Potential Hazards: None currently reported. However, the location would have posed hazards in the immediate aftermath of the fire until debris was cleared.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Ships – C. Patrick Labadie Collection
• Board of Lake Underwriters Marine Directory
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Erik Heyl’s “Early American Steamers”
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum

Conclusion

The GEORGE W. REYNOLDS, launched in 1864, served for nearly a decade as a sidewheel steamer on the Great Lakes, navigating critical routes between Ohio, Michigan, and Ontario. Despite enduring fires, engine failures, and multiple rebuilds, the vessel remained operational until her final destruction in 1872 while docked in Bay City, Michigan. Her legacy reflects the rugged, often perilous nature of 19th-century Great Lakes shipping, where vessels were constantly repurposed, repaired, and adapted to meet the demands of a rapidly industrializing region.