Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: Bennington

•Type: Wooden Wrecking Barge

•Year Built: 1891

•Builder: Saginaw, Michigan

•Owner: Reid Wrecking Company

•Capacity: 250 gross tons

•Final Location: Off Whitefish Point, Lake Superior (location ambiguity noted, potentially Lake Huron)

•Final Disposition: Foundered on September 5, 1908

Vessel Type Description

The Bennington was an unrigged wooden wrecking Barge, integral to salvage operations on the Great Lakes. Its robust design and carrying capacity of 250 gross tons made it well-suited for lifting, transporting, and assisting in the recovery of damaged or sunken vessels. Such barges played a vital role in ensuring safe navigation by addressing wrecks and navigational hazards.

History

The Bennington was constructed in 1891 in Saginaw, Michigan, as part of Reid Wrecking Company’s fleet. It served as a workhorse for salvage operations, contributing significantly to the recovery and safety efforts on the Great Lakes.

Over its operational life, the Bennington endured several incidents:

1.April 4, 1851: Historical records suggest the vessel, then described as a Schooner, ran aground on the west side of South Bass Island, sustaining considerable damage. While this predates its known construction, it may indicate a prior vessel with the same name or a confusion in historical accounts.

2.September 5, 1908: The Bennington met its tragic end while under tow from Port Arthur to the Soo. In fair weather conditions, the Barge suffered a catastrophic Hull failure and sank rapidly off Whitefish Point, Lake Superior. Both individuals aboard perished, emphasizing the risks faced by crews even in seemingly calm conditions.

Final Disposition

The Bennington Foundered on September 5, 1908, due to Hull failure, resulting in a Total Loss. The incident claimed the lives of the two individuals aboard. The precise location of the sinking remains unclear, with records indicating Whitefish Point, but with some ambiguity as to whether this was in Lake Superior or Lake Huron.

Ownership and Operations

The Bennington was owned by Reid Wrecking Company, a prominent entity specializing in salvage operations on the Great Lakes. Its role in assisting with wreck recovery and navigation hazard removal was critical to maintaining safe shipping routes in the region.

Current Condition & Accessibility

•Condition: The Bennington is presumed unrecovered, with its wreck condition unknown due to the lack of precise location or detailed investigation.

•Accessibility: Not applicable without further discovery or confirmation of the wreck site.

Notices & Advisories

•NOTMARs: No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the Bennington wreck.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Great Lakes Ships Database

Analysis

The Bennington’s story is a poignant reminder of the challenges and dangers inherent in Great Lakes maritime activities, particularly for salvage vessels working under challenging conditions. Its sudden Hull failure and rapid sinking highlight the vulnerabilities of wooden barges, even during calm weather. The tragedy underscores the bravery and resilience of those who worked to ensure the safety of others by recovering wrecks and maintaining navigational safety.

Despite its loss, the Bennington’s contributions to Great Lakes salvage operations remain a testament to the importance of wrecking barges in 19th and early 20th-century maritime trade.

Tags

•Bennington Wrecking Barge

•Reid Wrecking Company

•Whitefish Point Shipwreck

•Lake Superior Shipwreck

•Salvage Operations Great Lakes

•Wooden Barge Failure

•Maritime History

•Great Lakes Wrecks