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.

• Name: B.F. Ferris
• Former Names: None recorded
• Official Registry Number: Not documented
• Date Built & Launched: 1870
• Builder: John E. Monk, Sandusky, Ohio
• Measurements: Length: 124 ft (37.8 m); Beam: 21 ft (6.4 m); Depth: 7.5 ft (2.3 m); Gross Tonnage: 168; Net Tonnage: 93
• Date Lost: July 25, 1891
• Location of Loss: Caseville, Michigan, Lake Huron
• Cargo at Time of Loss: None documented
• Final Disposition: Burned to the waterline and sank; total loss
• Located By & Date Found: Not documented
• NOTMARs & Advisories: None currently issued(Reddit, Facts.net, Thumbwind, Thumbwind, Reddit, edukalife.blogspot.com)

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)

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.

Located By & Date Found

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.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No current navigational warnings or advisories are associated with the wreck site of the B.F. Ferris. Given the time elapsed and lack of precise location data, the site does not pose a known hazard to navigation.

Resources & Links

• Steamer B.F. Ferris Burned in Caseville in 1891 – Thumbwind
• FERRIS, B.F. STEAMER RECORDS – Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums(Thumbwind, Thumbwind)

Conclusion

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.

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: B.F. Ferris, Lake Huron shipwreck, 19th-century steamer, Caseville fire, maritime history
• Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Disasters of the 1890s, Steam-Powered Vessels
• Glossary Terms:
  • Propeller Vessel: A ship propelled by a screw propeller, powered by steam engines during the 19th century.
  • Boiler Room: The compartment on a steamship where the boilers are located, supplying steam to the engines.
  • Total Loss: A term used when a vessel is damaged beyond repair.

Note: Due to the lack of precise location data and the time elapsed since the wreck, there is no shore dive information available for the B.F. Ferris.

221707 1891-07-25 01:17:00