Identification & Site Information

• Name: Lily Amiot (also seen as Lilly Amiot)
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 15899
• Date Built and Launched: 1873
• Builder: Amiot, Cheboygan, Michigan
• Vessel Type: Wooden Gas Launch (originally built as a Schooner)
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements: Length: 46 ft (14 m) Beam: 12 ft (3.7 m) Depth: 5 ft (1.5 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 14 tons
• Net Tonnage: 10 tons
• Original specs before Conversion: 47 ft x 12 ft x 5 ft, 25g, 24n
• Date Lost: June 6, 1909
• Place of Loss: Ellison Bay, near Plum Island, Lake Michigan
• Lake: Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Fire (resulting from an explosion)
• Loss of Life: None (of 3 crew members)
• Cargo at Time of Loss: General freight, including gasoline and dynamite

Vessel Type & Description

The Lily Amiot was originally constructed as a Schooner in 1873 by Amiot in Cheboygan, Michigan. Around 1900, the vessel was converted into a gas launch, reflecting the technological shift from sail to internal combustion engines. This Conversion involved modifying the vessel to operate with a gasoline-powered engine, making it suitable for short-distance freight and passenger transport in Lake Michigan’s island communities.

At 46 feet in length, the Lily Amiot was a modest-sized vessel designed to carry light freight and a small number of passengers. Her compact size and wooden construction made her ideal for navigating the tight harbours and shallow waters of the Door Peninsula and surrounding islands.

History

Following her Conversion to a gas launch around 1900, the Lily Amiot was used primarily for passenger and freight transport between Washington Island, Plum Island, and nearby communities along Lake Michigan’s Door Peninsula. The vessel was owned by J.C. and Abraham Jessen of Washington Island, Wisconsin, a region heavily reliant on maritime transport for connecting its remote island communities to the mainland.

Final Voyage & Loss

On June 6, 1909, while transporting general freight—including gasoline and dynamite—the Lily Amiot struck a rocky ledge in Ellison Bay, near Plum Island, Lake Michigan.

Details of the Incident:

• After striking the ledge, the vessel exploded due to the volatile combination of gasoline and dynamite in her cargo hold.
• The explosion triggered a fire, and the Lily Amiot was quickly engulfed in flames, becoming a Total Loss.
• Remarkably, all three crew members survived the incident, escaping the vessel before the fire spread beyond control.

Final Disposition

The Lily Amiot was completely destroyed in the explosion and subsequent fire. Given the extent of the damage, no salvage efforts were recorded, and the wreck likely sank near the ledge where she struck or burned to the waterline before sinking.

Located By & Date Found

There is no confirmed discovery of the Lily Amiot’s wreck. However, Ellison Bay and the waters around Plum Island are known for numerous shipwrecks, and the remains of the vessel may still exist in a submerged state, either partially buried or scattered due to the explosive force of her final moments.

NOTMARs & Advisories

The waters around Ellison Bay and Plum Island are known for submerged rocks and shallow reefs, posing hazards to navigation. Mariners are advised to exercise caution, particularly near rocky ledges where vessels like the Lily Amiot met their fate.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
• Wisconsin Shipwrecks Database
• Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy

Conclusion

The Lily Amiot’s destruction in 1909 underscores the inherent dangers of transporting volatile cargo like gasoline and dynamite in the early 20th century. Originally built as a Schooner in 1873, the vessel’s Conversion to a gas launch around 1900 highlights the technological transitions occurring in Great Lakes maritime history. Despite her small size, the Lily Amiot played an important role in connecting island communities around Washington Island and the Door Peninsula. Her sudden explosion near Plum Island serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by mariners navigating the challenging waters of Lake Michigan.

Keywords:Lily Amiot, Ellison Bay Shipwreck, Plum Island Explosion, Lake Michigan Gas Launch, Washington Island Maritime History

Categories Great Lakes Gas Launches, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Maritime Explosions and Fires

Glossary Terms: Gas Launch, Schooner Conversion, Volatile Cargo, Explosion at Sea, Total Loss