IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: Aztec
• Type: Steam Barge
• Year Built: 1889
• Builder: David Lester
• Build Location: Marine City, Michigan
• Hull Material: Wood
• Number of Decks: 1
• Dimensions: Length: 180 feet (54.9 meters)Beam: 33.3 feet (10.2 meters)Depth: 13.9 feet (4.2 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 834 tons
• Net Tonnage: 653 tons
• Propulsion: Steeple compound engine (22” and 44” cylinders with a 40” stroke)
• Engine Power: 785 HP at 85 RPM, manufactured by Phoenix Iron Works, Port Huron
• Boiler: 10 x 16-foot Firebox Boiler, operating at 120 psi
• Final Disposition: Destroyed by fire in 1923, remains scuttled in Lake Huron

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Aztec was a wooden steam Barge designed for bulk cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Its robust construction and significant cargo capacity made it ideal for the shipping demands of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The vessel frequently towed barges and was an integral part of the regional maritime economy.

Built in 1889 in Marine City, Michigan, by David Lester, the Aztec entered service with the Marine Transit Co., transporting goods and towing barges, including the Miztec and Zapotec. It was a workhorse on the Great Lakes, powered by an advanced steeple compound engine that allowed it to navigate efficiently while hauling substantial cargo loads.

Over its operational lifetime, the Aztec changed ownership several times:

• 1899: Sold to Charles Burchinal of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
• 1903: Acquired by John M. Spence and William Spence of Cleveland, Ohio.
• 1912: Ownership transferred to Lawrence Brown of Buffalo, New York.
• 1923: Final ownership under L.D. Brown at the time of its destruction.

The vessel underwent a major machinery Rebuild in 1892, also carried out by Phoenix Iron Works, ensuring its continued utility during a competitive era in Great Lakes shipping.

FINAL INCIDENT AND DISPOSITION

On November 8, 1923, the Aztec met its demise when a catastrophic fire broke out while docked on the St. Clair River in Marine City, Michigan. Despite efforts to contain the blaze, the vessel was destroyed. The Aztec remained in its homeport until the 1930s when it was intentionally dynamited to clear the wreckage.

The remains were loaded into the Barge Province, which was then towed into Lake Huron and scuttled. The exact location of the scuttling site is not widely documented but is presumed to be within a reasonable distance of Marine City.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck site of the Aztec. However, mariners and divers are encouraged to be cautious when exploring scuttled wreck sites due to potential debris fields and submerged hazards.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive records of Great Lakes shipwrecks.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Repository of historical documents and ship histories.
• Great Lakes Ships: Archive of vessel details and incidents.
• Wreck Diver Magazine: Articles on notable shipwrecks, including scuttled vessels like the Aztec.

ANALYSIS

The Aztec serves as a historical example of the rugged and dynamic maritime commerce of the Great Lakes. Its operational longevity and adaptability reflect the ingenuity of 19th-century shipbuilding and the importance of steam-powered vessels in the transportation of goods. The Aztec’s fiery destruction and subsequent scuttling highlight the challenges and hazards faced by these vessels, both in operation and after their useful life. Today, the Aztec remains a poignant reminder of a bygone era of Great Lakes shipping.

KEYWORDS Aztec, Steambarge, Marine City Michigan, St. Clair River, Lake Huron, Great Lakes Shipwreck, Phoenix Iron Works, Scuttled Wreck, 1923 Fire, L.D. Brown.