John A. Francomb and the Dashing Wave, which are located near the Marine City DNR launch ramp. The John A. Francomb appears to be partially visible from the shore, with its hull and deck somewhat intact. It is positioned on the edge of the dropoff, with its bow pointing north (up current) and listing to starboard.
Among the notable features of the John A. Francomb wreck, there is a steam-powered winch located on the starboard bow in about 10 feet of water. This winch is accompanied by a donkey boiler and a small 2-cylinder steam engine, as well as some other machinery. The boiler has a diameter of 3’9″ and a length of 6’6″+, with one end missing, allowing the fire tubes inside to be visible. It appears that the engine has been broken, possibly due to ice. Additionally, the firebox door is located on the bottom off the starboard side in deeper water. Another piece of machinery, potentially the smoke stack for the donkey boiler, is found off the stern of the boat.
JOHN A. FRANCOMB #
The John A. Francomb was a schooner that was built in 1889 in Bay City, Michigan, by F. W. Wheeler & Co. It was originally owned by the Bay City & Cleveland Transportation Co. The vessel measured 180 feet in length, 36 feet in beam, and had a depth of 14.6 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 658 and a net tonnage of 625.
The John A. Francomb had three masts and was primarily used for transporting cargo. In 1895, it was towed by the steamer W. R. Stafford. However, on August 5 of that year, while being towed by the Stafford, the Francomb grounded in the Niagara River opposite Germania Park.
In 1897, the vessel encountered another incident when it ran ashore at Adam’s Point near Rogers City on Lake Huron. It was subsequently released from the grounding by the steamer Favorite.
Throughout its history, the John A. Francomb underwent ownership changes and was towed by various vessels, including the Mohegan in 1907. On August 18, 1915, it sustained damage in a collision with the Tonawanda Island bridge.
The final recorded information about the John A. Francomb states that by 1930, it was owned by William Burns of Detroit, Michigan. The vessel was ultimately abandoned in Bay City, Michigan, on Lake Huron in 1934. It was eventually broken up between 1940 and 1941.
DASHING WAVE #
The Dashing Wave is a schooner-barge that was built in 1861 in Clayton, NY. It had a length of 133 feet, a beam of 25 feet, and a depth of 12.8 feet. The vessel was constructed with wood and had a single deck.
Throughout its history, the Dashing Wave changed ownership multiple times. In 1863, it was owned by Chapman & Wade of Ogdensburg, NY. In 1870, it remained under the same ownership but received new decks. By 1878, the vessel underwent a significant transformation and was rebuilt as a barge, with a tonnage of 269 gross and 255 net tons.
Over the years, the Dashing Wave was towed by various steamers, including the Glasgow, S. C. Baldwin, Leland, and O. O. Carpenter, engaging in lumber trade and transportation. In 1899, it came under the ownership of H. E. Rynnels from Port Huron, MI. In 1900, the vessel was enrolled in Port Huron, and by 1902, it was owned by Carrie Koch from Sandusky, OH.
The final recorded event in the history of the Dashing Wave occurred on June 7, 1904, when it was officially abandoned.
Please note that the description provided is based on historical information, and the current state or location of the vessel may have changed.
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