Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: A. GEBHARDT
- Type: Wooden steambarge
- Year Built: 1869
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Drummond Island, Michigan
- Original Owners: H.R. Harvey of Detroit
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden steambarge
Description
The A. GEBHARDT was a wooden steambarge built in 1869. While detailed measurements are not available in official records, vessels of this type typically measured between 30 and 45 metres (100 to 150 feet) in length and were used extensively for transporting lumber and bulk freight on the Great Lakes. The vessel served for approximately 40 years.
History
The A. GEBHARDT operated primarily in the Lake Huron region, under the ownership of H.R. Harvey of Detroit. Her primary cargoes included cedar posts, a valuable commodity for fencing and construction in the early 20th century. Like many wooden freighters of the time, she played a crucial supporting role in the timber and construction economy across northern Michigan and Ontario.
Significant Incidents
On June 4, 1909, while docked at Drummond Island, Michigan, the A. GEBHARDT was being loaded with cedar posts when a fire was discovered aboard. The fire spread quickly through the dry wooden structure and cargo, consuming the vessel completely. No one was aboard at the time of the fire, and there were no reported injuries or fatalities. The cause of the blaze remains undocumented.
Final Disposition
There is no recorded discovery or survey of the A. GEBHARDT wreck. It is presumed to have been entirely destroyed by fire at dockside with no significant remains.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No navigational warnings or official advisories are currently associated with the A. GEBHARDT.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”a-gebhartdt-1869″ title=”References & Links”]
Though not a dramatic loss at sea, the destruction of the A. GEBHARDT reflects the fire hazards faced by wooden-hulled steam vessels in Great Lakes ports. A common but critical vessel type in the timber trade, her story represents the unsung infrastructure of lakes commerce. Her loss at Drummond Island contributes to a pattern of similar dockside disasters during the era.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Identification & Site Information
- Name: A. GEBHARDT
- Former Names: None recorded
- Registration Number(s): Not available
- Date Built and Launched: 1869
- Measurements including Rebuilds: Not specified
- Date Lost, Destroyed, Abandoned: June 4, 1909
Vessel Type
Wooden steambarge
Description
The A. GEBHARDT was a wooden steambarge built in 1869. While detailed measurements are not available in official records, vessels of this type typically measured between 30 and 45 metres (100 to 150 feet) in length and were used extensively for transporting lumber and bulk freight on the Great Lakes. The vessel served for approximately 40 years.
History
The A. GEBHARDT operated primarily in the Lake Huron region, under the ownership of H.R. Harvey of Detroit. Her primary cargoes included cedar posts, a valuable commodity for fencing and construction in the early 20th century. Like many wooden freighters of the time, she played a crucial supporting role in the timber and construction economy across northern Michigan and Ontario.
Final Disposition
On June 4, 1909, while docked at Drummond Island, Michigan, the A. GEBHARDT was being loaded with cedar posts when a fire was discovered aboard. The fire spread quickly through the dry wooden structure and cargo, consuming the vessel completely. No one was aboard at the time of the fire, and there were no reported injuries or fatalities. The cause of the blaze remains undocumented.
Located By & Date Found
There is no recorded discovery or survey of the A. GEBHARDT wreck. It is presumed to have been entirely destroyed by fire at dockside with no significant remains.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No navigational warnings or official advisories are currently associated with the A. GEBHARDT.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files: https://greatlakesrex.wordpress.com/g/
- David Swayze Shipwreck File (Michigan losses)
Conclusion
Though not a dramatic loss at sea, the destruction of the A. GEBHARDT reflects the fire hazards faced by wooden-hulled steam vessels in Great Lakes ports. A common but critical vessel type in the timber trade, her story represents the unsung infrastructure of lakes commerce. Her loss at Drummond Island contributes to a pattern of similar dockside disasters during the era.
Suggested Keywords & Categories
Keywords: A. GEBHARDT, Great Lakes shipwreck, steambarge, fire loss, cedar cargo, Drummond Island
Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Incidents, Wooden Steambarges, Dockside Fires, Timber Trade Vessels