W.L. WETMORE U80196

Site Description #

History #

The W.L. Wetmore, a bulk freighter, was built in 1871 in Cleveland, Ohio. Constructed with wood as its primary material, this vessel featured a single deck and had three masts. It was originally owned by George W. Bissell of Detroit, Michigan.

The power of the W.L. Wetmore came from a 450hp engine, specifically a high-pressure, single-cylinder engine with a size of 28 x 36 inches. The engine was manufactured by the Cuyahoga Iron Works in Cleveland in 1871. The vessel was also equipped with a single propeller, which propelled the ship through the water.

With a length of 215.4 feet, a beam of 33.4 feet, and a depth of 14.2 feet, the W.L. Wetmore had a gross tonnage of 850.57. Throughout its history, the vessel served primarily as a consort to the barge Brunette, forming a long-term partnership in various trade routes.

Tragically, on November 29, 1901, the W.L. Wetmore met its final demise near Russel Island in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. The vessel ran aground and stranded in the treacherous waters. At the time of the incident, it was carrying a cargo of lumber. In addition to the W.L. Wetmore, the barges J.C. King and Brunette, which were being towed by the vessel, were also tossed into the shallows during the storm. Subsequently, the relentless pounding of the waves destroyed these barges.

Over the years, the ownership of the W.L. Wetmore changed hands multiple times. From its original owner, George W. Bissell, it was passed on to various individuals and companies in Cleveland, Ohio. Notably, in 1881, the vessel came under the ownership of Thomas Axworthy and his associates.

Throughout its operational years, the W.L. Wetmore experienced several notable incidents. In 1890, the vessel was declared a total loss after a fire broke out, resulting in extensive damage on Lake Erie. Later that same year, it collided with and sank the schooner-barge Tremble in the Detroit River near Port Huron, Michigan.

The vessel underwent a rebuilding process in 1891, during which it was converted to a single-deck configuration. The rebuild also included the installation of a new boiler and other necessary repairs. However, further challenges awaited the W.L. Wetmore, including incidents such as breaking a steam chester on Lake Huron in 1893 and running aground near Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in Lake Michigan in 1894.

The W.L. Wetmore changed ownership several more times in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, passing from Henry Gordon to Frank Goodman, C.F. Palmer, Charles R. Jones, and finally the Lumber Transportation Co. and John J. Boland.

Ultimately, on November 29, 1901, the W.L. Wetmore met its final wreck on Rabbit Island in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. The vessel’s documents were surrendered in Buffalo on January 25, 1902, marking the official end of its maritime career. The legacy of the W.L. Wetmore is one marked by years of service, numerous ownership changes, and a series of maritime incidents that reflect the challenges faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes.

External Links #

• Ottawa Citizen Story 29 Jul 2024 Underwater Model Photo Shoot