ARBUTUS U206473

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

Wreck Name ARBUTUS
Type: Gasoline-Propelled Vessel
Date of Incident: December 14, 1916
Location: Sandusky, Lake Erie
Official Number: 206473
Gross Tonnage: 7 tons
Condition: Total loss due to fire

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The ARBUTUS was a small, gasoline-propelled vessel built in 1907. With a gross tonnage of just 7 tons, it was a relatively lightweight and modest craft, primarily designed for local transportation or possibly recreational use on Lake Erie. The vessel’s construction reflected the early 20th century’s burgeoning use of gasoline engines in small maritime vessels, a period marked by significant technological advancements in marine propulsion.

HISTORY #

The ARBUTUS was constructed in 1907 and served its purpose on Lake Erie for nearly a decade. As a small vessel, it likely played a minor yet important role in local water transport or leisure activities around the Sandusky area.

Tragically, on December 14, 1916, the ARBUTUS met its end when it caught fire while docked or anchored at Sandusky, Ohio. The fire, which broke out with only one person on board, rapidly consumed the vessel. Fortunately, the individual on board survived the incident without any reported injuries. However, the fire caused the complete destruction of the vessel, rendering it unsalvageable.

The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, as available records do not provide detailed accounts of the circumstances leading up to the incident. The ARBUTUS was a total loss, marking a sad end to its brief service life.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The ARBUTUS was completely destroyed by fire on December 14, 1916, at Sandusky, Lake Erie. The vessel was not salvaged and was considered a total loss. Given its small size and the extensive damage caused by the fire, the remains of the ARBUTUS may have been removed from the water or left to deteriorate naturally.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the ARBUTUS. Mariners in the Sandusky area should always remain vigilant, although this specific wreck does not pose a known navigational hazard today.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

There is no precise documentation regarding the exact location or subsequent discovery of the ARBUTUS wreck, suggesting that it may not have been of significant concern for salvage operations or historical preservation due to its small size and the nature of its loss.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

Primary Sources:

Maritime History of the Great Lakes – Maritime History of the Great Lakes
David Swayze Shipwreck File

CONCLUSION #

The ARBUTUS serves as a reminder of the risks inherent in early gasoline-propelled vessels, especially at a time when fire prevention and safety measures were not as advanced as they are today. The vessel’s unfortunate demise in Sandusky, Lake Erie, contributes to the broader maritime history of the region, highlighting the perils faced by even the smallest of vessels on the Great Lakes.