SIBERIA U115848

• Propeller
• 18ffw 6m
• 230ft Lenght
• Buff Bar, Long Point, Lake Erie
• Loran: 44538.6   58555.0

Doug Fetherling Notes  #

The steamer SIBERIA was launched in June 1882. In 1883, it grounded in Duluth Bay, Lake Superior. In 1885, it was towed by the vessel POLYNESIA. Ownership of the SIBERIA changed several times, with Robert R. Rhodes of Cleveland, Ohio, and others owning it in February 1886. It towed various vessels, including PLYMOUTH, NELSON BLOOM, and JOSEPH PAIGE, during different periods.

In May 1890, the SIBERIA collided with and sank the steam barge OHIO in Mud Lake, St. Mary’s River. The SIBERIA itself sank but was released the following week and dry-docked in Cleveland. In September 1890, it grounded on St. Joe Island in the St. Mary’s River. Ownership transferred to John W. Moore of Mentor, Ohio, and others in April 1896.

By May 9, 1901, J.C. Gilchrist and others from Cleveland owned the SIBERIA. Ownership changed again, with the Island Star Transit Co. of Mentor owning the vessel on April 25, 1902, and the Gilchrist Transportation Co. of Mentor taking ownership on April 13, 1903. In May 1903, the rigging and tonnage of the SIBERIA were changed, and it was equipped with two masts. It measured 272 feet in length, 39 feet in width, and 22.5 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 1,892 tons and a net tonnage of 1,461 tons.

The SIBERIA met its fate on multiple occasions. It sank due to ice in Lake St. Clair in December 1903. Finally, on October 20, 1905, the vessel was wrecked. It was carrying a cargo of barley and sank near Long Point in Lake Erie. The steamer LIZZIE MADDEN was involved in salvaging 30,000 bushels of barley from the wreck, but due to the condition of the SIBERIA and the refusal of the Gilchrist people to pay salvage fees, the decision was made to abandon the vessel. The SIBERIA remained sunken, with only the boiler, prop, ribs, some flooring and decking, dishes, and gauges remaining visible.