Identification & Site Information

•Name: Penelope

•Type: Steam Screw Vessel (Yacht)

•Official U.S. Number: 150582

•Year Built: 1892

•Built At: St. Clair, Michigan

•Home Port: Cleveland, Ohio

•Tonnage: 54 Gross Tons

•Primary Material: Wood

•Crew Size: 5

Vessel Type Description

The Penelope was a wooden steam screw yacht built for leisure and service, exemplifying the luxurious private vessels of the late 19th century. With a Gross Tonnage of 54 tons, it was relatively small but robustly constructed for use on the Great Lakes. Its steam propulsion allowed for reliable navigation and versatility, catering to private owners and occasional operational duties.

History

The Penelope was constructed in 1892 in St. Clair, Michigan, a prominent shipbuilding hub of the era. Owned by H. Lee Borden of Chicago, Illinois, the vessel served primarily as a private yacht but was well-suited for longer voyages due to its steam-powered Screw Propulsion.

The yacht’s home port was Cleveland, Ohio, from where it often embarked on trips around the Great Lakes. With a crew of 5, the Penelope offered both functionality and luxury for its owner, reflecting the increasing popularity of steam-powered private vessels in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Final Incident

On December 19, 1909, while en route to St. Clair for winter lay-up, the Penelope ran aground in shallow water near Lorain, Ohio. During the incident, a fire broke out aboard the vessel, consuming it down to the waterline. Fortunately, the three people on board at the time escaped without injury.

The grounding and subsequent fire marked the end of the Penelope’s service, as the vessel was rendered a Total Loss. The cause of the fire is not well-documented, but it underscores the vulnerabilities of wooden steam vessels to such incidents, particularly during the cold and often hazardous winter months.

Final Disposition

The Penelope burned to the waterline in shallow waters near Lorain, Ohio, on December 19, 1909. The wreck was Abandoned, and no salvage operations were recorded.

Resources & Links

•Great Lakes Ship File: Detailed records of the Penelope’s construction, ownership, and operational history.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Repository of historical shipwreck data and narratives.

Keywords

Penelope, Steam Screw Yacht, Lorain Ohio, Great Lakes Ship File, Wooden Vessel, Fire Incident, St. Clair Michigan, 19th-Century Yachts, Private Yacht, Great Lakes Maritime History.

Conclusion

The story of the Penelope reflects the dual nature of Great Lakes maritime history: innovation and peril. Built as a private yacht, the Penelope served its purpose for over 17 years before meeting a tragic end in 1909. Its loss near Lorain, Ohio, highlights the dangers faced by even relatively small and privately owned vessels during a time when the Great Lakes were both a transportation artery and a site of significant risk. While the Penelope’s remains are unaccounted for, its history offers a glimpse into the era’s yacht culture and the challenges of steam-powered maritime operations.