Identification & Site Information

• Name: HELEN TAYLOR
• Official Number: 96270
• Date Built and Launched: 1894
• Measurements: Length: 60.0 feet (18.3 meters); Beam: 30.2 feet (9.2 meters); Depth: 3.8 feet (1.2 meters); Gross Tonnage: 52 tons; Net Tonnage: 42 tons
• Date Lost: January 1, 1930
• Vessel Type Wooden-hulled steam screw barge

Description

The HELEN TAYLOR was a wooden steam barge constructed in 1894 at Grand Haven, Michigan, by shipbuilder Duncan Robertson. Designed for freight service, she featured a single Deck and was powered by a Screw Propulsion system, with an 80 indicated horsepower engine. Her compact dimensions and shallow Draft made her suitable for navigating the varied conditions of the Great Lakes.

History

Initially owned by William S. Taylor of Ludington, Michigan, the HELEN TAYLOR entered service in 1894. By March 16, 1895, ownership had transferred to the F. & P.M. Transportation Co. Throughout her operational life, the vessel underwent several changes in ownership and endured multiple incidents. In October 1919, she suffered a fire near Hessel, Michigan. Four years later, in 1923, the HELEN TAYLOR Foundered off St. Helena Island and was subsequently Abandoned; however, she was later raised and Rebuilt. By 1924, her Gross Tonnage was recorded as 52 tons. On January 1, 1930, the HELEN TAYLOR Foundered eight miles off Michigan City, Indiana, in Lake Michigan. Notably, there were no persons on board at the time of her sinking.

Final Disposition

The HELEN TAYLOR met her demise on January 1, 1930, when she Foundered in Lake Michigan, approximately eight miles off the coast of Michigan City, Indiana. Details surrounding the circumstances of her sinking remain sparse, but it is documented that no crew members were aboard during the incident.

Located By & Date Found

No records indicate that the wreck of the HELEN TAYLOR has been located or surveyed to date.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No navigational warnings or advisories related to the HELEN TAYLOR wreck site are currently noted.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Vessels Online Index: HELEN TAYLOR
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: HELEN TAYLOR
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: HELEN TAYLOR

The HELEN TAYLOR’s history reflects the challenges faced by wooden steam barges operating on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite multiple incidents, including fires and founderings, the vessel continued service through repairs and rebuilds until her final sinking in 1930. The absence of crew during her last voyage adds an element of mystery to her ultimate fate.

Keywords: HELEN TAYLOR, steam Barge, Great Lakes shipwreck, Lake Michigan, maritime history

Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Wooden Steam Barges

Glossary Terms:

• Steam Barge: A type of steam-powered vessel primarily used for transporting goods and materials, common on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Foundered: A maritime term indicating that a vessel has filled with water and sunk.
• Gross Tonnage: A measure of the overall internal volume of a vessel.
• Net Tonnage: The volume of cargo a vessel can carry; calculated by subtracting non-revenue-earning spaces from the Gross Tonnage.