Identification & Site Information

•Name: Antelope

•Type: Gas Screw Ferry Vessel

•Build Year: 1902

•Builder: Detroit, Michigan

•Dimensions:

•Length: 43.6 feet (13.3 metres)

•Width (Beam): 9 feet (2.7 metres)

•Depth: 4 feet (1.2 metres)

•Tonnage:

•Gross: 18 tons

•Net: 9 tons

•Engine Power: 50 indicated horsepower

•Home Port: Port Huron, Michigan

•Registration Number: Antelope 203314

•Date of Incident: September 3, 1928

•Location: Stag Island, Ontario

•Condition: Destroyed by fire

Vessel Type Description

The Antelope was a small Gas Screw Ferry vessel, designed for short-distance transport of passengers and goods. Its compact size and 50 HP engine made it well-suited for operations in the Great Lakes region, particularly in Ferry service between ports and islands. With a Gross Tonnage of 18 tons, the Antelope was an efficient vessel for its role in regional transportation.

History

The Antelope was constructed in 1902 in Detroit, Michigan, and operated primarily out of Port Huron, Michigan. Owned by Merlin C. Fife in its later years, the vessel was operated with a crew of two and served as a Ferry in the Great Lakes region.

The vessel played an important role in facilitating short-distance transportation, connecting communities across the waterways. Its service life, while unremarkable compared to larger ships of the era, was significant for the regions it served.

Final Incident

On September 3, 1928, the Antelope was docked at Stag Island, Ontario, when it caught fire. No one was aboard at the time, and the exact cause of the fire remains unknown. The incident marked the end of the vessel’s operational life. The burning of the Antelope was noted in the Merchant Vessel List of 1929, officially recording its loss.

Final Disposition

The fire destroyed the Antelope, and the vessel was declared a Total Loss. No records suggest that the remains were salvaged or preserved.

Resources & Links

1.Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Great Lakes Historical Archive

2.Merchant Vessel List of 1928 and 1929: Official government registry noting vessel details and incidents.

Keywords

Antelope, Gas Screw Vessel, Ferry Service, Port Huron, Stag Island, Great Lakes Maritime History, 20th Century Shipwrecks, Small Vessel Fires.

Conclusion

The Antelope served as a modest yet vital part of Great Lakes transportation, reflecting the importance of small Ferry vessels in regional commerce and connectivity during the early 20th century. Its loss to fire at Stag Island in 1928 marked the end of a relatively brief but noteworthy career, emphasizing the risks faced by even the smallest vessels operating in this vital waterway system.