IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Name: B.B. BUCKHOUT

Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge (3-Mast)

Build Information: Built in 1873 by W.S. Campbell in East Saginaw, Michigan

Specifications:

•Length: 164 feet (50 meters)

•Beam: 28.8 feet (8.8 meters)

•Depth: 10 feet (3 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 351 tons

•Net Tonnage: 334 tons

Date of Loss: November 1912

Place of Loss: Near Narrow Island, east of Little Current, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron

Coordinates: N 45 59.466’, W 81 58.966’

Depth: 40 feet (12.2 meters) of fresh water

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The B.B. BUCKHOUT was a wooden Schooner-Barge originally launched as a two-masted vessel but later refitted with three masts. The ship served primarily in the lumber trade, a critical industry on the Great Lakes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As a Barge, it was often towed by steam tugs, reflecting the era’s reliance on efficient methods for transporting bulk cargo like timber across the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

The B.B. BUCKHOUT launched in April 1873, named after its initial owner, B.B. Buckhout of Bay City, Michigan. The vessel’s robust wooden construction and design allowed it to navigate the unpredictable and often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes. Its early years were primarily spent in the lumber trade between Saginaw, Michigan, and Chicago, Illinois.

Ownership of the B.B. BUCKHOUT changed several times:

•By 1912, it was owned by Rixon, Ainslie & Stoddard Ltd. of Owen Sound, Ontario.

•The vessel was registered in Canada under official number C126059.

Throughout its career, the B.B. BUCKHOUT endured multiple incidents, including running aground and taking on water. Despite these setbacks, the vessel remained operational, transporting lumber and other goods critical to the region’s economy.

FINAL DISPOSITION

In November 1912, the B.B. BUCKHOUT met its demise while being towed by the Tug Maitland near Narrow Island in Georgian Bay. The Maitland struck a shoal, causing the B.B. BUCKHOUT to run aground. Despite efforts to salvage the vessel, it remained stranded and was eventually Abandoned. Its Canadian registry was officially closed in 1923, marking the end of its operational life.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck of the B.B. BUCKHOUT lies in 40 feet (12.2 meters) of fresh water near Narrow Island, offering an accessible dive site for recreational divers. Although the wooden Hull has degraded over time, significant portions of the structure remain intact, providing a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century shipbuilding and the vessel’s storied past.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck site of the B.B. BUCKHOUT. Divers are advised to exercise caution due to potential hazards such as debris and structural instability at the site.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Great Lakes Ships Archive

•Bowling Green State University – Historical Collections

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

KEYWORDS

B.B. BUCKHOUT, Schooner-Barge, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, Shipwreck, Lumber Trade, Little Current, Maritime History, Great Lakes Transportation, 19th-Century Shipping

CONCLUSION

The B.B. BUCKHOUT epihttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpgizes the vital role of Schooner-barges in the Great Lakes’ thriving lumber trade during the late 19th century. Its grounding near Narrow Island in 1912 marked the end of nearly four decades of service. Today, the wreck is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by mariners navigating the often unforgiving waters of the Great Lakes. The site offers divers and historians a chance to connect with a rich maritime legacy, exploring the remnants of a vessel that once played a crucial role in the region’s economy.