IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:
The Buckeye was a wooden propeller steambarge built in the mid-19th century. It was designed for the transportation of goods across the Great Lakes, primarily serving routes between major ports such as Ogdensburg, New York, and Chicago, Illinois. The vessel’s sturdy wooden construction and steam propulsion made it well-suited for carrying bulk cargoes, including the cedar railroad ties it was transporting at the time of its loss.
HISTORY:
The Buckeye’s maritime career began in 1856 when it was constructed by Quayle & Martin in Cleveland, Ohio. Initially owned by the Northern Transit Co. of Ogdensburg, New York, the Buckeye played a key role in the shipping industry, navigating the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
Throughout its service life, the Buckeye experienced several significant incidents. In 1865, the vessel struck a rock in the Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence River, leading to its sinking and necessitating extensive repairs. It was rebuilt the following year in 1866. Despite these challenges, the Buckeye continued to operate, though it encountered further difficulties in 1882 when it fell from the blocks during a relaunch in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, breaking in two and requiring additional repairs.
Ownership of the Buckeye changed hands multiple times. The vessel was initially part of the Northern Transit Co., followed by ownership under Philo Chamberlain of Cleveland, the Northern Transit Company of Rockport, Ohio, and the Northern Transit Company of Glen Haven, Michigan. In 1880, it was sold to Elisha Eldred & Co. of Chicago, and by 1884, Charles Eldred owned the vessel. At the time of its loss in 1885, the Buckeye was owned by William A. Fuller of Chicago and others.
On June 13, 1885, the Buckeye’s final voyage ended in tragedy. While en route from Manitoulin Island to Chicago with a cargo of cedar railroad ties, the vessel encountered foggy conditions in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, and became stranded on a large boulder. The situation worsened when a fire of unknown origin broke out on board, leading to the Buckeye’s sinking. Fortunately, the crew was rescued by the steambarge Sir S. L. Tilley, and no lives were lost.
FINAL DISPOSITION:
The Buckeye was declared a total loss after its sinking in Georgian Bay. A legal dispute arose between casualty and fire insurance carriers over responsibility for the loss, but the vessel was ultimately determined to be a total loss. It was insured for $15,000 across three insurance companies.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES:
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck site of the Buckeye.
LOCATED BY & DATE:
The exact location of the Buckeye’s wreck has not been clearly documented in the available records.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Great Lakes Ships
- Sources Mentioning the Buckeye’s Loss:
- Marine Record, June 18, 1885
- Marine Record, July 2, 1885
- Cleveland Leader, December 7, 1885
- Merchant Vessel List, U.S., 1885
- Merchant Steam Vessels of the U.S.A., The Lytle-Holdcamper List, 1790 to 1868
KEYWORDS:
Buckeye, steambarge, Lake Huron shipwreck, Georgian Bay, Great Lakes maritime history, 19th-century shipping, railroad ties, fog, fire, Northern Transit Company.
CONCLUSION:
The Buckeye’s history is emblematic of the perilous nature of maritime trade on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Despite multiple rebuilds and ownership changes, the vessel ultimately succumbed to the harsh conditions of Georgian Bay. The story of the Buckeye highlights the resilience of those who sailed the Great Lakes, as well as the unpredictable dangers that these inland seas presented. The loss of the Buckeye, while tragic, is a part of the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history, remembered through the records and stories that have survived.
