Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: B.F. Ferris
- Type: Wooden-hulled steam-powered propeller vessel
- Year Built: 1870
- Builder: John E. Monk, Sandusky, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length: 124 ft (37.8 m); Beam: 21 ft (6.4 m); Depth of hold: 7.5 ft (2.3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 168; Net Tonnage: 93
- Location: Caseville, Michigan, Lake Huron
- Official Number: Not documented
- Original Owners: Henry Turner of Saginaw
- Number of Masts: Not documented
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled steam-powered propeller vessel (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Description
The B.F. Ferris was a wooden steam-powered propeller vessel constructed in 1870 by John E. Monk in Sandusky, Ohio. Measuring 124 feet in length with a beam of 21 feet and a depth of 7.5 feet, she was designed for cargo and passenger transport across the Great Lakes. Throughout her service, she underwent significant repairs, including a rebuild in 1879. By 1890, she was operating routes between Saginaw, Michigan, and Winnona Beach, and by 1891, she was plying a route between Tawas and Caseville Harbor in Saginaw Bay. (Thumbwind)
History
On July 25, 1891, while docked at Caseville, Michigan, the B.F. Ferris caught fire in the boiler room. The fire rapidly engulfed the vessel, and despite the crew’s efforts, she burned to the waterline and sank, resulting in a total loss. The crew managed to escape with their lives but lost their personal belongings. At the time of the incident, the vessel was owned by Henry Turner of Saginaw and was valued at $8,000, with insurance coverage of $5,000. (Thumbwind)
Significant Incidents
- July 25, 1891: The B.F. Ferris caught fire in the boiler room while docked at Caseville, Michigan, leading to her sinking.
Final Disposition
The B.F. Ferris was declared a total loss following the fire at Caseville. There is no record of salvage operations or attempts to recover the vessel. Her remains were likely left at the wreck site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of current records, there is no documentation indicating that the wreck of the B.F. Ferris has been located or explored by maritime archaeologists or divers.
Resources & Links
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The loss of the B.F. Ferris underscores the challenges faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, particularly those operating steam-powered machinery. Her destruction by fire at Caseville adds to the numerous shipwrecks that have occurred in Lake Huron, contributing to the rich maritime history of the region. While the exact location of her wreck remains unknown, the B.F. Ferris’s story is a testament to the perils of lake navigation during that era.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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