Here’s a detailed and formatted entry for the Batchawana (formerly Robert A. Packer):

BATCHAWANA (Formerly ROBERT A. PACKER)

Quick Facts:

•Type: Wooden Propeller Bulk Freighter

•Gross Tonnage: 921 tons

•Net Tonnage: 770 tons

•Length: 209 ft (63.7 m)

•Beam: 33 ft (10.1 m)

•Depth: 16 ft (4.9 m)

•Year Built: 1881

•Builder: W.S. Crosthwaite, Bay City, Michigan

•Original Name: Robert A. Packer

•Renamed: Batchawana (1906)

•Location of Loss: Off Coppermine Point, Ontario, Lake Superior

•Date of Loss: June 27, 1907 (some sources report June 21)

•Coordinates: Not specified

•Depth: Not specified

•Casualties: None

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION:

•Name: Batchawana (formerly Robert A. Packer)

•Type: Wooden Propeller Bulk Freighter

•Construction: Wooden Hull

•Ownership History:

•Originally owned and operated in the United States

•Sold to Canadian owners in 1906

•Purpose: Transport of bulk goods (grain, ore, coal, lumber)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:

The Batchawana was a wooden propeller-driven bulk freighter built for the Great Lakes trade. With its spacious holds and robust construction, it was designed to transport large quantities of dry bulk cargo. It measured 209 feet in length, with a beam of 33 feet and a depth of 16 feet, making it well-suited for the demanding conditions of the Great Lakes.

HISTORY:

The vessel was launched as the Robert A. Packer in 1881 by W.S. Crosthwaite in Bay City, Michigan. For over two decades, it served as a workhorse for the Great Lakes shipping industry. In 1906, it was sold to Canadian owners and renamed Batchawana, reflecting its integration into Canadian maritime operations.

Final Voyage:

On June 27, 1907, while navigating Lake Superior near Coppermine Point, Ontario, the Batchawana caught fire. The blaze spread rapidly, rendering any attempt to save the vessel futile. Despite the catastrophic nature of the incident, there were no casualties reported, and the crew escaped unharmed.

The exact cargo at the time of the fire is unknown, but as a bulk freighter, it likely carried coal, grain, or lumber. The fire consumed the wooden vessel entirely, leaving only wreckage scattered on the lakebed.

FINAL DISPOSITION:

•Date of Loss: June 27, 1907 (some sources suggest June 21)

•Cause of Loss: Fire at sea

•Condition: Burned to a Total Loss; remains likely scattered or submerged

•Casualties: None

NOTICES TO MARINERS (NOTMARs):

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck of the Batchawana. However, mariners near Coppermine Point, Ontario, should be mindful of potential underwater hazards associated with the wreck site.

LOCATED BY & DATE:

The wreck of the Batchawana has not been formally documented in terms of exact coordinates or a detailed underwater survey. The site of the fire and sinking has been known since the time of the incident in 1907.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY:

The exact condition of the Batchawana’s wreck remains unknown, as no comprehensive exploration has been conducted. Given the intensity of the fire, the remains are likely scattered and severely deteriorated. The depth and accessibility of the wreck are also unspecified, but further investigation could provide valuable insights into its current state.

RESOURCES & LINKS:

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Great Lakes Ships Database

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

The history of the Batchawana illustrates the hazards faced by wooden bulk freighters in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The transition from the Robert A. Packer to the Batchawana marked a shift in ownership and potentially operational routes, but its career ended abruptly just a year later due to fire. The incident underscores the vulnerability of wooden vessels to catastrophic events, even on the vast and perilous waters of Lake Superior.

DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS:

Due to the lack of specific information about the wreck’s depth and condition, diving recommendations are speculative. If explored, the site may require advanced diving skills due to potential hazards such as poor Visibility, scattered debris, and structural deterioration. Divers should treat the site with respect, recognizing its historical significance.

TAGS:

•Lake Superior

•19th Century

•Wooden Bulk Freighter

•Maritime History

•Shipwreck

This detailed entry preserves the Batchawana’s legacy and highlights its role in the Maritime History of the Great Lakes. Let me know if further refinements are needed!