Site Description #
- Sandsucker
- 10ffw 3m
- 138ft length
- Middle Bass Island, lake Erie
- 41 41.830 82 46.505
History #
The history of the ISABELLA J. BOYCE begins with its construction in 1889 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. It was a steam propeller vessel, also classified as a dredge, with an official U.S. number of 100446. The ship had a gross tonnage of 368.28 tons and a net tonnage of 316.95 tons. It measured 138.0 feet in length, 29.6 feet in breadth, and 11.0 feet in depth. The estimated nominal horsepower was 280. The ISABELLA J. BOYCE was initially owned by J. Boyce.
Ownership of the vessel changed over the years. In 1900, it came under the ownership of Kelley’s Island Line & Transport Co. Later, in 1905, J.C. Pringle became the owner. By 1915, the ownership had transferred to W. McFadden, E.F. Lundwell, and River Rouge Sand Co. During this period, the ship underwent significant modifications. It was rebuilt as a sandsucker by the Empire Shipbuilding Co. in Buffalo, New York.
In 1916, the ISABELLA J. BOYCE was owned by the Interlake Sand & Gravel Co. Unfortunately, on June 16, 1917, the vessel experienced a devastating event. While off Middle Bass Island in Lake Erie, it caught fire. Thankfully, all 11 persons on board were rescued, and there were no casualties. However, the ship was declared a total loss as a result of the fire.
The ISABELLA J. BOYCE was a wooden-hulled steambarge, and its construction was carried out by Burger & Burger. The vessel was equipped with a fore and aft compound screw engine, featuring a 19-inch cylinder and a 32-inch cylinder, with a stroke of 26 inches. It had one firebox boiler. The engine and boiler, producing 425 horsepower, were built by Wilson & Hendrie in 1889.
The final location of the ISABELLA J. BOYCE was recorded as off Middle Bass Island in Lake Erie, where it burned on June 6, 1917. This marked the end of the ship’s service, concluding a chapter in its history.
