SWANSEA (1887)

Identification & Site Information

• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 116165
• Type at Loss: Propeller Wood, Passenger & Freight Ferry
• Build Info: 1887, Detroit Boat Works, Detroit, Michigan
• Specs: 77 x 17 x 8 ft (23.47 x 5.18 x 2.44 m), 19 Gross Tonnage, 9 Net Tonnage
• Date of Loss: July 28, 1926
• Place of Loss: Duluth-Superior Harbour
• Lake: Superior
• Type of Loss: Fire

Vessel Type

The SWANSEA was a passenger and freight ferry propelled by a wooden Hull. Built for the purpose of ferrying passengers and cargo, ferries were essential for connecting various ports and islands across the Great Lakes, especially in harbors like Duluth-Superior. The Ferry had typical dimensions for its type, with a 77-foot length and a Gross Tonnage of 19 tons, making it a medium-sized vessel for its time.

Description & History

The SWANSEA was built in 1887 by the Detroit Boat Works in Detroit, Michigan, and was likely designed for use as a passenger and freight Ferry in the Superior region. Duluth-Superior Harbour, which is shared by both Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, was a major port for freight and Passenger Vessels at the time, making the SWANSEA an essential part of the local transport system.

The SWANSEA spent several years operating as a Ferry, transporting people and cargo between various locations. In 1926, while laid up in Duluth-Superior Harbour for rebuilding, a fire broke out, ultimately destroying the vessel. The fire completely consumed the Ferry, and though reports do not specify if there were any fatalities, the extent of the damage suggests there were likely no survivors from the fire.

Following the fire, the SWANSEA was Abandoned in 1931, further indicating that her reconstruction or any salvaging efforts may not have been financially viable or successful.

Final Dispositions

The SWANSEA was destroyed by fire in Duluth-Superior Harbour on July 28, 1926. She was laid up for rebuilding at the time of the fire, but the damage was too extensive to recover the vessel. In 1931, she was Abandoned, and it is assumed that she was left to deteriorate in the harbor. The wreck likely posed a navigational hazard before eventually breaking up or being removed from the waterway. No further information is available regarding attempts at recovery.

Located By & Date Found

There is no information indicating that the SWANSEA was ever located or salvaged after the fire. The wreck was likely left to deteriorate, and the vessel was Abandoned by the end of 1931.

Notices & Advisories

Wreck Location: Duluth-Superior Harbour, Lake Superior

Hazard: The SWANSEA posed a significant hazard to navigation when it burned and sank, especially while it was Abandoned in the harbour. The exact location of the wreck has not been specified, but it is presumed to have been removed or deteriorated over time.

Resources & Links

• Historical Information: Great Lakes Maritime Database
• Maritime History: Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Conclusion

The SWANSEA was a wooden propeller Ferry that served the Duluth-Superior Harbour for many years before meeting its untimely end in a fire in 1926. While there are no confirmed reports of loss of life, the destruction of the Ferry marked the end of an era for that specific vessel. After being Abandoned in 1931, the SWANSEA was forgotten, and her remains likely broke up or were cleared away in the harbor. The wreck remains a small but important part of the maritime history of the Superior region.