TRANSFER

• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 145486
• Type at Loss: Propeller Barge, wood, sandsucker
• Build Info: 1888, T. Rogers, East Saginaw, Michigan
• Specifications:
• • Length: 140 ft (42.67 m)
• • Beam: 32 ft (9.75 m)
• • Depth: 6 ft (1.83 m)
• • Gross Tonnage: 178 GT
• • Net Tonnage: 166 NT
• Date of Loss: May 28, 1896
• Place of Loss: 3 miles east of Lorain, Ohio
• Lake: Erie
• Type of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: None
• Carrying: Pig Iron
• Description
• Vessel Type: Propeller Barge (Sandsucker)
• Hull Material: Wood

The TRANSFER was a wooden propeller Barge built for use in dredging and transporting materials. As a sandsucker, she was equipped for dredging operations, primarily transporting materials like Pig Iron and sand. The design of the vessel allowed it to work efficiently in shallower waters, making her a regular on the Great Lakes, particularly in operations that involved construction and maintenance of harbours.

History

The TRANSFER was built in 1888 by T. Rogers in East Saginaw, Michigan. Her primary function was as a Barge for carrying heavy loads, particularly Pig Iron, a material commonly shipped during the industrial boom of the late 19th century.

In 1896, she found herself caught in a violent gale and heavy seas while trying to make her way back into the Lorain Harbour on Lake Erie. The storm proved too much for the Barge, and she was wrecked about 3 miles east of Lorain, Ohio. Despite being in tow of the Tug CASCADE, the Barge succumbed to the storm and sank in 30 feet (9.14 m) of water.

The TRANSFER’s crew was rescued by the Tug CASCADE during the disaster. After sinking, it was reported that the Barge washed ashore, landing Keel-up and leaving the propeller exposed. This unusual sight marked the Barge’s final resting place. In September 1897, the Barge was stripped of all her machinery and gear, signaling the end of any further salvage or recovery efforts.

Final Disposition

The TRANSFER was left in her wrecked state after the storm, with her propeller still visible on the shore after the Barge washed up. She was effectively Abandoned and stripped of useful equipment in 1897. The fate of the vessel was finalized when no attempts were made to repair or recover her, marking her as a Total Loss.

Located By & Date Found

The TRANSFER was not specifically recovered as a whole but was reported to have washed ashore in the 300-foot range from the shoreline, with her wreck visible for years.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No specific markings or advisories are noted for the TRANSFER. However, her wreckage remains a reminder of the risks of storms on Lake Erie, particularly when towing vessels in rough conditions.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Maritime Database (GLMD)
• Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Great Lakes Shipwrecks and their Stories
• Great Lakes Historical Society: Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Conclusion

The TRANSFER’s tragic end was a result of the overwhelming force of nature on Lake Erie. Despite the crew’s lucky survival and the Tug’s rescue efforts, the vessel was lost to the storm and Abandoned in the months that followed. Today, it remains part of the Great Lakes’ rich history of maritime disasters, highlighting the often unforgiving conditions of the lake and the role of vessels like the TRANSFER in the region’s industrial maritime operations.