Shipwreck Report: SPECULAR

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: SPECULAR

• Type: Steamer (originally a Schooner-Barge, later converted to a bulk freighter)

• Dimensions:

• Length: 265 feet

• Depth at Wreck Site: 40 feet (13 meters)

• Location: Point Pelee, Lake Erie

• Coordinates:

• Primary: N 41° 49.373’ W 82° 32.170’

• Secondary: N 41° 49.335’ W 82° 32.165’

• Year Built: 1882

• Builder: Presley & Company, Cleveland, Ohio

• Construction Material: Wood

• Original Owner: Republic Iron Company, Marquette, Michigan

• Gross Tonnage:

• Original: 1687.13 tons

• Post-Reconstruction: 1741 tons

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The SPECULAR began its career as a Schooner-Barge, a type of vessel towed by larger steamers, used for bulk transportation on the Great Lakes. In 1888, it was Rebuilt and converted into a bulk freighter equipped with its own propulsion system.

• Reconstruction Details:

• Installation of a fore-and-aft compound engine by Globe Iron Works (750 horsepower at 75 RPM).

• Reinforcements for icy conditions, including a steel boiler house and arches.

The SPECULAR became a robust carrier of iron ore, with added structural strength to endure the harsh Great Lakes environment.

CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY

Early Career

• 1882: Launched by Presley & Company in Cleveland, Ohio, under the Republic Iron Company.

• Dedicated to the iron ore trade between Marquette, Michigan, and various ports.

• 1886–1889: Operated as a tow vessel, assisting barges like the COLONIAL and FONTANA.

Reconstruction and Service as a Bulk Freighter

• 1888: Significant Conversion in Cleveland upgraded the SPECULAR into a powered bulk freighter.

• Became self-sufficient and continued iron ore transport across the Great Lakes.

Notable Incidents

• October 2, 1889: Grounded at Round Island, Waiska Bay, Lake Superior, freed with the Tug A.J. Smith.

• June 29, 1891: Collided with the Steamer MARTINI near Bois Blanc light in the Detroit River.

Final Years and Sinking

• 1892–1899: Continued to serve in the iron ore trade, towing barges like the MAGNETIC and G.R. HOLLAND.

• August 22, 1900:

• The SPECULAR collided with the Steamer DENVER in Pelee Passage, Lake Erie, while transporting iron ore.

• The vessel sank following the collision, marking the end of its service.

FINAL DISPOSITION

• Date of Loss: August 22, 1900

• Cause of Loss: Collision with the Steamer DENVER

• Cargo: Iron Ore

• Depth: Wreck lies at 40 feet (13 meters)

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck of the SPECULAR is accessible to divers at a moderate depth of 40 feet in Point Pelee, Lake Erie.

• Condition:

• The wooden structure, while weathered, provides insights into the design of late 19th-century bulk freighters.

• Evidence of its reinforced Hull and machinery remains visible.

• Accessibility:

• Suitable for divers with basic open-water certifications.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The SPECULAR reflects the transition in Great Lakes shipping from towed barges to self-powered freighters. Its involvement in the iron ore trade highlights the industrial boom of the late 19th century. Despite its adaptations and robust design, its tragic loss in a collision underscores the dangers of navigation during this period.

CONCLUSION

The SPECULAR served as a vital component of Great Lakes shipping for nearly two decades. Its transformation from a Schooner-Barge to a bulk freighter epitomizes the technological advancements of its time. The vessel’s final resting place in Lake Erie offers a tangible connection to the maritime and industrial history of the Great Lakes.

TAGS

#Specular #LakeErie #BulkFreighter #SchoonerBarge #IronOreTrade #Shipwreck #GreatLakesHistory #MaritimeDisaster

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Database

• Republic Iron Company History

• Presley & Company Records