1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The St. Joseph was originally a wooden propeller vessel built in 1867 by Hitchcock & Gibson in Buffalo, New York. It had a gross tonnage of 473.93, with initial dimensions of approximately 150.8 feet in length, a beam of 28 feet, and a depth of 9.3 feet. The vessel was primarily used for freight and passenger transportation on the Great Lakes. Throughout its operational history, the St. Joseph underwent several rebuilds, ownership changes, and modifications, including a significant conversion into a steam barge in 1880.
3. HISTORY #
The St. Joseph had a dynamic and eventful history, reflecting the evolving nature of maritime trade and technology in the Great Lakes region. After its construction in 1867, it was initially enrolled in Buffalo, New York, and then in Grand Haven, Michigan. The vessel was owned by John T. Edwards & Company of St. Joseph, Michigan, before being sold to the Goodrich Transportation Company in 1869.
In 1871, the St. Joseph sank following a collision near Fighting Island in the Detroit River but was later salvaged and repaired. The vessel passed through the hands of multiple owners, including Charles A. Chamberlin, Frederick G. McDowell, and F.W. Gilchrist. It underwent significant modifications, including a conversion into a steam barge in 1880 and additional rebuilds in 1887, 1889, and 1916.
In 1916, the vessel’s documents were surrendered, and it was re-registered under the Canadian flag as the Frank B. Stevens by the American Transit Company of Sarnia, Ontario. The vessel was eventually moved to the Sarnia Boneyard, where it was scrapped around 1922.
4. FINAL DISPOSITION #
The St. Joseph was scrapped around 1922 after a long service life marked by multiple ownership changes and modifications. The vessel’s final resting place was the Sarnia Boneyard, a well-known site for dismantling obsolete ships on the Great Lakes.
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the St. Joseph or Frank B. Stevens.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE #
The vessel was moved to the Sarnia Boneyard, Ontario, for scrapping around 1922. The exact coordinates and depth are not specified.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The St. Joseph (Frank B. Stevens) was scrapped, and no significant portions of the vessel are believed to remain. The site at the Sarnia Boneyard is not accessible for diving or exploration, as the vessel was dismantled and removed.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – A comprehensive resource for shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.
- Bowling Green State University – Repository of Great Lakes vessel information and historical records.
- Great Lakes Ships – Information on ships that have operated on the Great Lakes.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File – A database of shipwrecks including details on the St. Joseph.
- Lake Michigan Passenger Steamers – By George Woodman Hilton – A book covering the history of passenger steamers on Lake Michigan.
9. TAGS #
- Propeller Vessel
- Steam Barge
- Great Lakes
- Shipwreck
- Maritime History
- Sarnia Boneyard
10. ANALYSIS #
The St. Joseph’s history is a testament to the changing needs and technologies in Great Lakes shipping. The vessel’s multiple rebuilds and ownership changes reflect the adaptability required of ships during this era, as well as the economic pressures on shipping companies to maximize the longevity and utility of their vessels. The conversion into a steam barge in 1880 highlights a common practice of repurposing older vessels to extend their service life. The final scrapping of the St. Joseph (as Frank B. Stevens) in the Sarnia Boneyard around 1922 marks the end of a significant chapter in the maritime history of the Great Lakes.
