Selah Chamberlain (1873)

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #

Vessel Name: Selah Chamberlain
Type: Wooden Steam Barge
Builder: Cleveland, Ohio by Globe Iron Works
Year Built: 1873
Dimensions:
- Length: Over 200 feet
- Decks: Initially one, with a second deck added in 1874
- Masts: Three
- Stern: Rounded
Propulsion: Two-cylinder steam engine
Final Location: Northeast of Sheboygan, Lake Michigan
Depth: 80 feet of water
Condition: Broken hull, significant components remain (boilers, propeller, engine, etc.)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #

The Selah Chamberlain was a wooden steam barge built in 1873, designed primarily for the iron ore, coal, and wheat trades on the Great Lakes. The vessel featured a robust design with a two-cylinder steam engine made by Globe Iron Works and a rounded stern. Initially built with one deck, a second deck was added in 1874 to increase its cargo capacity. The vessel was commonly seen towing one to two sailing vessels or barges, a common practice at the time to maximize profitability on each trip across the lakes.

HISTORY: #

The Selah Chamberlain had an active career operating between Buffalo, NY, and Duluth, MN, often towing consorts to carry additional cargo. On October 13, 1886, while towing the vessel Fayette Brown, the Selah Chamberlain encountered poor weather conditions off Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In the dark of night, the crew heard a signal from a nearby vessel but could not see any lights. The captain attempted to avoid the unseen vessel, but the John Pridgeon Jr. appeared suddenly on the port side and collided with the Selah Chamberlain, causing significant damage.

Despite efforts to reach shore, the Selah Chamberlain sank within 15 minutes, tragically taking five crew members with it. Although several plans were proposed to raise the vessel, they were never realized. The wreck now rests at the bottom of Lake Michigan, northeast of Sheboygan.

FINAL DISPOSITION: #

The Selah Chamberlain sank on October 13, 1886, following a collision with the freighter John Pridgeon Jr. The wreck was never salvaged and remains on the lakebed.

LOCATED BY & DATE: #

The wreck site was documented by the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Maritime Preservation and Archaeology Program along with students from East Carolina University and volunteers from the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association from 1995 to 1998.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #

Hazard: The wreck lies in 80 feet of water and is broken at the turn of the bilge. Mariners should be aware of the site if navigating in the area.

RESOURCES & LINKS: #

NOAA’s Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary
Wisconsin Historical Society, Maritime Preservation and Archaeology Program

CONCLUSION: #

The Selah Chamberlain’s story is a poignant reminder of the risks faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Despite its tragic end, the wreck now serves as an underwater archaeological site of historical significance, preserving the memory of the vessel and its crew. The site, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019, continues to attract divers and researchers, offering a glimpse into the maritime history of the Great Lakes.