SWAN (1888)

Identification & Site Information

• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 57928
• Type at Loss: Propeller, Wood, Passenger & Freight
• Build Info: 1888, Monk?, Sandusky, Ohio
• Specs: 79 x 20 x 7 ft (24.08 x 6.10 x 2.13 m), 94 Gross Tonnage, 64 Net Tonnage
• Date of Loss: November 5, 1914
• Place of Loss: Saginaw River, Michigan
• Lake: Huron
• Type of Loss: Fire

Vessel Type

The SWAN was a wooden propeller steamer built for passenger and freight transport. The vessel was about 79 feet in length and was originally constructed as a Barge but was converted into a Steamer between 1895 and 1910, giving her the ability to propel herself under steam power. This Conversion allowed the SWAN to take on passenger and freight services in the Port Huron, Michigan region, navigating through the Saginaw River and into Lake Huron.

Description & History

Built in 1888 in Sandusky, Ohio, the SWAN started as a Barge but underwent a Conversion between 1895 and 1910 into a Steamer, equipped with a steam engine and propeller. This Conversion increased her operational efficiency, allowing her to move independently on the waterways. The SWAN was primarily used for transporting passengers and freight, with a focus on the Port Huron area.

On November 5, 1914, the SWAN was destroyed by fire while docked at a pier along the Saginaw River, Michigan. The fire caused significant damage to the vessel, leaving her a Total Loss. The fire was likely the result of faulty equipment or unfortunate circumstances while the vessel was being laid up for the winter season. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and her crew likely escaped before the fire consumed the ship entirely.

Final Dispositions

After the fire, the SWAN was not recovered and was Abandoned. There are no records indicating that the wreck was salvaged or dismantled. The Saginaw River would have been cleared of any obstruction once the remains of the SWAN had broken up or been removed, allowing the river to remain navigable. However, the exact timeline of these events remains uncertain.

Located By & Date Found

There are no records of the wreck being located or salvaged after the fire. The SWAN was likely dismantled or left to decay at the pier where the fire took place.

Notices & Advisories

• Wreck Location: Saginaw River, Michigan
• Hazard: The remains of the SWAN may have obstructed the river until they were cleared.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Ships
• Great Lakes Maritime Database: Great Lakes Maritime Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Maritime History: Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Conclusion

The SWAN, a wooden propeller steamer, was an important vessel operating in the Saginaw River and Lake Huron regions. Originally built as a Barge in 1888 and later converted to a steam-powered vessel, she tragically met her end on November 5, 1914, when she was destroyed by fire at her dock in Port Huron. There were no casualties, but the ship was a Total Loss. The SWAN was eventually Abandoned, leaving behind a gap in the Port Huron-based shipping fleet.