Shipwreck Report: WILLIAM F. HALLSTEAD (1906)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: WILLIAM F. HALLSTEAD
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 81414
• Type at Loss: Wooden Propeller Tug (Former Yacht)
• Date Built and Launched: 1892
• Builder: Buffalo, New York
• Measurements: 44 ft (13.4 m) length, 14 ft (4.3 m) beam, 6 ft (1.8 m) depth
• Tonnage: 18 gross tons, 12 net tons
• Date Lost: December 8, 1906
• Place of Loss: Near Dunkirk, New York, Lake Erie

Vessel Type

Wooden Propeller Tug (Originally Built as a Yacht, Later Used as a Fish Tug and Towboat)

Description

The WILLIAM F. HALLSTEAD was originally built as a private yacht in 1892 in Buffalo, New York, but was later converted into a working vessel, being variously described as a fish Tug, Towboat, and passenger vessel.

By the early 1900s, she was operating out of Sandusky, Ohio, likely supporting commercial fishing, towing, or small-scale passenger transport operations.

Her versatile service history reflects a common pattern for small wooden steam and propeller-driven vessels, which were often repurposed over time as demands changed.

Final Voyage & Loss

On December 8, 1906, while navigating near Dunkirk, New York, on Lake Erie, the WILLIAM F. HALLSTEAD caught fire under uncertain circumstances.

Despite efforts to control the blaze, the fire spread rapidly, completely consuming the vessel before it could be saved.

The entire crew of five survived, but the vessel was declared a Total Loss.

The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, but onboard fires were a common risk for wooden vessels, particularly those with fuel sources like coal, oil, or wood-burning stoves.

Final Disposition

Destroyed by fire near Dunkirk, New York, Lake Erie, on December 8, 1906.

• Cause of fire unknown
• Declared a Total Loss
• No loss of life (5 crew survived)

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no confirmed reports of WILLIAM F. HALLSTEAD‘s wreck being located.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no known navigational advisories related to the wreck site.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The WILLIAM F. HALLSTEAD is an example of early Great Lakes vessels that evolved over time, shifting from private leisure craft to commercial utility vessel.

Her destruction by fire in 1906 is part of a long history of wooden vessels lost due to onboard fires, a common hazard of the time.

With no remains reported, she is likely scattered or completely destroyed beneath the waters near Dunkirk, New York.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: WILLIAM F. HALLSTEAD shipwreck, Lake Erie steam Tug, Dunkirk New York wreck, Sandusky Ohio maritime history, Great Lakes fire losses
• Categories: Lake Erie Shipwrecks, Steam Tug Losses, Fire-Related Shipwrecks, 20th-Century Maritime Disasters, Unlocated Shipwrecks
• Glossary Terms:
• Fish Tug: A small, powered vessel used in the Great Lakes commercial fishing industry, often equipped with steam or gas-powered engines.
• Towboat: A vessel designed to assist in maneuvering and towing other ships, particularly non-self-propelled barges.
• Dunkirk, New York: A historically significant port on Lake Erie, known for its role in 19th and 20th-century maritime commerce.