Shipwreck Report: BADGER STATE

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: Badger State

•Type: Wooden Propeller Steamship

•Built: 1862, Buffalo, New York

•Builder: Mason & Bidwell; Charles L. Bidwell, Master Carpenter

•Dimensions:

•Length: 210 feet 4 inches (64.1 meters)

•Beam: 32 feet 4 inches (9.9 meters)

•Depth: 13 feet 3 inches (4 meters)

•Tonnage:

•Gross Tonnage: 860 tons (Old Measurement Style)

•Cargo Capacity: Up to 900 tons

•Final Disposition:

•Location: St. Clair River, near Harsens Island, North Channel

•Coordinates: 42°36’22”N 82°32’54”W

•Depth: 20 feet (6 meters) of freshwater

•Status: Wreck, burned to the waterline, partially scattered

VESSEL DESCRIPTION

The Badger State was a wooden-hulled propeller Steamship built for versatility, featuring two decks and a robust Screw Propulsion system. The vessel was powered initially by a 44 x 42-inch low-pressure engine built by Shepard Iron Works in Buffalo, with subsequent upgrades, including a steeple compound engine (25 1/4 & 54 x 39 inches) providing 500 horsepower. The ship was designed for carrying bulk cargo, including lumber, grain, and coal, and was later adapted for multiple roles throughout its service life.

HISTORY

The Badger State had a storied and eventful history, marked by ownership changes, collisions, fires, and adaptation to various trades:

•Initial Service (1862–1884):

•Owned by Charles Ensign & Holt of Buffalo, under the People’s Line, alongside its sister ship, the Empire State.

•Operated between Buffalo and Lake Michigan ports.

•Experienced mechanical failures, requiring an engine Rebuild in 1864.

•Accidents and Repairs:

•Collided with the schooners Helen Blood and Greenback in 1877.

•Underwent major repairs and rebuilds in 1871, 1876, 1878, and 1881.

•Ownership Changes:

•Western Transportation Co. (1864–1884)

•Western Transit Co. (1884)

•Northern Transit Co. (1898)

•Barry Brothers Transportation Co. (1902)

•Floating Casino Experiment (1905):

•Briefly used as a floating gambling venue near Peche Island. This endeavor was quickly shut down, with little evidence of actual gambling activity.

•Lumber Carrier (1906):

•Converted for carrying lumber, reflecting its adaptation to the evolving needs of the Great Lakes trade.

FINAL INCIDENT

On December 6, 1909, while docked for the winter in Marine City, Michigan, the Badger State caught fire. To mitigate damage, it was cut loose and drifted across the St. Clair River, grounding and burning to the waterline near Harsens Island on the Canadian side. The ship was destroyed, with no cargo or reported loss of life.

•The vessel’s remains were left Abandoned, with its rudder salvaged and displayed at the Harsens Island Ferry landing.

DIVING THE BADGER STATE

The wreck lies in 20 feet (6 meters) of water, making it accessible to divers of varying experience levels. However, the site has been subject to collisions with boats and other watercraft. Divers should take the following precautions:

1.Approach Carefully: Be aware of surface conditions, Visibility, and the potential for submerged debris.

2.Anchor in Shallow Waters: The area between the wreck and the shore provides a suitable location for anchoring and gearing up.

3.Explore the Starboard Side: Parts of the wreck may be visible from the surface under favorable conditions.

Artifacts: The ship’s rudder is on display at the Harsens Island Ferry landing, offering a glimpse into its history.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•C & G News: Coverage of historical and maritime aspects of the wreck.

•Wikimapia: Additional location-based insights.

KEYWORDS

Badger State, wooden propeller Steamship, Great Lakes shipwreck, St. Clair River wreck, Harsens Island, Lake St. Clair shipwreck, 19th-century maritime history, lumber carrier, Great Lakes collisions, diving Lake St. Clair.

CONCLUSION

The Badger State remains a poignant reminder of the diverse Maritime History of the Great Lakes. From its role as a cargo carrier and floating casino to its ultimate destruction by fire, the vessel’s story illustrates the dynamic and often perilous nature of 19th- and early 20th-century Great Lakes navigation. Its resting place in the St. Clair River offers a fascinating dive site and a connection to the past for history enthusiasts and divers alike.