Identification & Site Information:
- Name(s): Hercules
- Registry: United States
- Original Owner: Robert Hollister, Buffalo, New York
- Vessel Type: Freight Propeller Vessel (later converted to a Barge in 1867)
- Builder: Carrick & Bidwell
- Master Carpenter: J.W. Banta
- Place Built: Buffalo, New York
- Year Built: 1843
- Year Sank: 1883
- Hull Material: Wood
- Engine: High-pressure Ericsson patent engine with two cylinders, 14 + 14 x 28 inches, providing 50 horsepower
- Propulsion: Screw Propulsion with twin 6 ft 4 in propellers
- Dimensions (original):
- Length: 136 ft 3 in (41.5 m)
- Width: 24 ft 10 in (7.6 m)
- Depth: 8 ft 1 in (2.5 m)
- Tonnage: 256 39/95 tons (old measurement)
- Cargo Capacity: 2,200 barrels
- Dimensions (as a Barge):
- Length: 139 ft (42.4 m)
- Width: 25 ft (7.6 m)
- Depth: 8 ft (2.4 m)
- Gross Tonnage: 195.09
Vessel Type
Originally constructed as one of the first all-freight propeller vessels on the Great Lakes, the Hercules played a pioneering role in commercial shipping. It was later Rebuilt as a Barge in 1867, reflecting the evolving demands of maritime trade and the vessel’s declining operational efficiency as a powered ship.
Description
The Hercules was launched in 1843 in Buffalo, New York, as a wooden-hulled propeller vessel designed for freight. It utilized innovative Screw Propulsion technology, which, at the time, was a relatively new advancement on the Great Lakes. Powered by a high-pressure Ericsson patent engine built at Auburn Prison, New York, the ship was notable for its engineering and capacity to carry 2,200 barrels of cargo.
Throughout its long service life, the Hercules operated on various trade routes, including voyages between Buffalo, New York, and Chicago, Illinois. The vessel underwent multiple ownership changes and faced various incidents, including collisions and subsequent repairs in Detroit and Algonac, Michigan.
In 1867, the vessel was Rebuilt as a Barge in Algonac, reflecting the diminishing viability of its propulsion system. Rebuilt under the supervision of Francis Martin, the Hercules continued operations as a freight Barge, extending its service life by nearly two more decades.
Final Dispositions
On June 6, 1883, the Hercules sank following a collision with the propeller Clarion in the St. Clair River, near Algonac, Michigan. The ship sank during an upbound journey, marking the end of its 40-year career on the Great Lakes.
Wreck Site Information
• Location: St. Clair River, near Algonac, Michigan
• Depth: Not documented
• Current Condition: The wreck of the Hercules has not been extensively surveyed or documented, but its final resting place in the busy waters of the St. Clair River makes it a potentially significant site for maritime historians.
Resources & Links
Keywords, Categories, Glossary
Keywords: Hercules, Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Freight Propeller, St. Clair River Shipwrecks
Categories: Maritime History, Freight Propulsion, Conversion to Barge
Glossary: Screw Propulsion, High-Pressure Engine, Ericsson Patent, Gross Tonnage
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