- Sand Dredge
- 10ffw 3m
- 108ft Length
- Kelley’s Island, Lake Erie
- 41 37.085 82 40.867
History #
On October 8, 1903, the steamer ADVENTURE suffered a devastating loss when it caught fire at Kelly’s Island. The vessel, loaded with lime, was lying at the north dock when the fire broke out at four o’clock in the afternoon. Both the ship and its cargo were completely destroyed, resulting in a total loss. Unfortunately, there was no insurance coverage for the loss.
Captain John Howe was commanding the ADVENTURE at the time, and his wife and young daughter were also on board. However, all crew members, including Captain Howe’s family, were able to escape and were saved from harm. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, but it was initially discovered in the hold, just forward of the boiler. The fire spread rapidly, leaving the sailors grateful to have escaped with their lives. The ADVENTURE had recently unloaded a cargo of salt at the Bay Food docks in Sandusky before the incident occurred. The vessel had previous ownership ties to Sandusky.
Measuring 105 feet in length, 24 feet in width, and 8 feet in depth, the ADVENTURE was built in 1875. It had a notable history of conversion from a schooner to a propeller in 1896.
According to the Merchant Vessels List of the United States in 1903, the ADVENTURE was a steam screw vessel with the official number 105567. It was built in Detroit in 1875 and had a home port in Port Huron, Michigan. The vessel had a gross tonnage of 141 tons and a net tonnage of 95 tons. In April 1877, the ship underwent an overhaul and painting at Oade’s Shipyard in Detroit.
Ownership of the ADVENTURE changed hands several times over the years. In 1878, it was owned by Edward Cunningham and F.P. Wallace of Detroit. Later, in 1891, H.C. Case and J.F. Padley from Sheffield, Ohio, became the owners. The ownership further shifted in 1895 to J.H. Padley of Sheffield, Ohio, and J.M. Robinson of Lorain, Ohio. In 1896, J.M. Robinson became the sole owner. The vessel underwent significant changes in 1897 when it was rebuilt as a screw steam barge in Sandusky, Ohio, under the ownership of J.M. Robinson, Frederick Groch, and A.C. Moss. It was equipped with a 16 x 18″ horsepower engine from Phoenix Iron Works in Port Huron and a 5 1/2 x 12′ firebox boiler.
By May 31, 1901, the ADVENTURE was owned by Charles Beyschlag, Joseph Lowes, and John Beyschlag of St. Clair, Michigan. Unfortunately, on October 12, 1903, the documents for the vessel were surrendered in Port Huron, signaling the end of its maritime journey.
