Identification & Site Information

• Name: Whale
• Former Names: Built as Ann Arbor #2, renamed Whale in 1927
• Official Registration Number: 106984
• Date Built and Launched: Built in 1892 by Craig Shipbuilding, Toledo, Ohio (Hull #56)
• Measurements: 264 ft (80.5 m) length x 53 ft (16.2 m) beam x 14 ft (4.3 m) depth; Gross Tonnage: 1,445 tons
• Date Lost: 1927
• Place of Loss: Just outside St. Clair Flats, Lake St. Clair
• Lake: Lake St. Clair

Vessel Type

Originally constructed as a wooden-hulled carferry (Ann Arbor #2), the vessel was later Rebuilt as a bulk freight sandsucker barge (Whale), designed for transporting sand and other bulk materials.

Description

Launched in 1892 as Ann Arbor #2, this vessel was part of the Ann Arbor Railroad’s fleet of car ferries, built to transport rail cars across the Great Lakes. The design was typical of late 19th-century wooden car ferries—robust, broad-beamed, and capable of carrying heavy loads. In 1913, after over two decades of Ferry service, the vessel was Rebuilt as a Barge and repurposed as a sandsucker for bulk freight operations. Sandsuckers were specialized barges designed to extract and transport sand from lake and river beds, an essential material for construction and industrial use.

History

As Ann Arbor #2, the vessel played a significant role in facilitating rail transport across Lake Michigan, connecting rail lines from Michigan to Wisconsin and other destinations. The Ann Arbor Railroad’s car ferries were critical to bypassing congested rail networks around Chicago, allowing direct railcar transport across the lake.

In 1913, reflecting the changing demands of the Great Lakes shipping industry, Ann Arbor #2 was converted into a sandsucker barge and renamed Whale in 1927. By this time, the vessel was primarily used for bulk freight operations, carrying sand from dredging sites to construction areas throughout the Great Lakes region.

Final Incident

In 1927, while operating on Lake St. Clair near the St. Clair Flats—a complex network of shallow waterways and channels—the Whale collided with the steel bulk freighter William E. Corey. The impact caused significant damage to the wooden Barge, and the Whale sank shortly after the collision. The vessel was subsequently Abandoned. Details regarding the exact cause of the collision or potential loss of life are not clearly documented in historical records.

The William E. Corey, a much larger and more modern steel-hulled bulk freighter, was a formidable vessel, and the collision between the two ships highlights the challenges of navigating busy waterways like the St. Clair Flats, where heavy shipping traffic and shallow channels increased the risk of accidents.

Final Disposition

The Whale sank just outside the St. Clair Flats following a collision with the William E. Corey in 1927. The vessel was Abandoned and not recovered, likely due to her age, condition, and the extent of the damage.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No specific navigational warnings or obstructions related to the wreck of the Whale have been issued. However, the St. Clair Flats remain a navigationally challenging area due to shallow waters and shifting channels.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The Whale’s journey from a carferry (Ann Arbor #2) to a sandsucker Barge illustrates the adaptability of Great Lakes vessels to the evolving needs of maritime commerce. Her final loss in a collision with the William E. Corey underscores the dangers of navigating the busy and complex waterways of Lake St. Clair, particularly in areas like the St. Clair Flats. Though Abandoned after her sinking, the Whale remains a part of the broader history of Great Lakes shipping, reflecting both the rise of railcar ferries and the later industrial demand for construction materials like sand.

Suggested Keywords: Whale, Ann Arbor #2, Lake St. Clair shipwrecks, sandsucker barge, Great Lakes car ferries, St. Clair Flats maritime history, William E. Corey collision.

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake St. Clair, Great Lakes Car Ferries, 20th Century Maritime Disasters.

Glossary Terms: Carferry, Sandsucker Barge, St. Clair Flats, Bulk Freight Collision, Abandoned Shipwreck.