Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Elisha C. Blish
- Type: Wooden propeller-driven steam tug
- Year Built: 1857
- Builder: Charles Hinman and Blish & Co.
- Dimensions: 81 × 16 × 9 ft; Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 107 gross tons
- Location: Mid-lake Huron
- Coordinates: Coordinates not documented
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Elisha C. Blish was a wooden propeller-driven steam tug, also documented in some sources as a schooner.
Description
Built in 1857 at Black River, Ohio, the Elisha C. Blish was initially named Mary Ballard. It measured approximately 81 feet in length, 16 feet in beam, and 9 feet in depth, with a registered tonnage of around 107 gross tons.
History
Launched in 1857, the Elisha C. Blish served primarily as a propeller tug, likely engaged in freight support and towing operations around southern Lake Huron. It was noted that the vessel was sometimes configured or recorded as a schooner. A significant incident occurred on April 15, 1862, when the tug sank near Algonac due to a steam pump malfunction. After being salvaged, it returned to service before its final disappearance in 1864.
Significant Incidents
- April 15, 1862: Sank near Algonac due to a steam pump malfunction; salvaged and returned to service.
Final Disposition
The Elisha C. Blish went missing in 1864 without a trace, presumed to have foundered in mid-lake Huron. All crew members, including Captain A. G. Peer, were lost, with no survivors or bodies recovered.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Elisha C. Blish remains undiscovered, with its hull structure, machinery, or debris field presumed to lie at an unknown depth in mid-lake Huron. No precise coordinates have been recorded for the last known position.
Resources & Links
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The disappearance of the Elisha C. Blish serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by early steam navigation on the Great Lakes. Its loss, particularly following a previous sinking and refit, highlights the need for further research into mid-century vessel lifecycles and maritime safety.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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