Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Elizabeth White
- Type: Wood-hulled propeller-driven tug or small steamer
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: Saginaw, Michigan
- Dimensions: 44 ft (13.41 m) length × 11 ft beam × 5 ft depth; approx. 11 GRT
- Registered Tonnage: 11 GRT
- Location: Lake Huron region
- Official Number: 135077
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller vessel/tug, built in 1873.
Description
The Elizabeth White was a wooden-hulled propeller-driven tug or small steamer, measuring 44 feet in length, with a beam of 11 feet and a depth of 5 feet. It had an approximate gross registered tonnage of 11.
History
Built in 1873 in Saginaw, Michigan, the Elizabeth White was listed in Port Huron shipping records until 1883. The vessel’s registry was surrendered on December 15, 1883, marked as ‘burned.’
Significant Incidents
- Loss Date: Winter 1883 (exact date unknown)
- Location: Lake Huron region, official loss record indicates ‘Lake Huron’
- Type of Loss: Catastrophic fire aboard vessel
- Document Annotation: Registry surrendered at Port Huron on December 15, 1883, marked ‘burned’
- Life Safety: Death toll unrecorded; incident severity suggests possible injuries—but no documented casualties
Final Disposition
The Elizabeth White was destroyed by an onboard fire, likely while moored or underway on Lake Huron. The fire was sufficiently severe to fully consume the vessel, leading to her registry being officially surrendered as a total loss. No further records of salvage or recovery exist, and the vessel does not appear in subsequent marine registers.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Given the destruction by fire, little remains of the Elizabeth White afloat. However, fragments or salvage records might be found in Port Huron waterfront archives.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”elizabeth-white-us-135077″ title=”References & Links”]
The Elizabeth White was a small, 44-foot wooden propeller vessel built in 1873 at Saginaw. She was destroyed by fire during 1883, prompting official documentation of her loss in December of that year. The precise circumstances—such as fire origin, crew involvement, and salvage outcome—remain undocumented and warrant further research through regional archives and newspapers.
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.
(wooden propeller vessel/tug, built 1873)
Identification & Vessel Details
- Name: Elizabeth White
- Official number: 135077
- Type: Wood-hulled propeller-driven tug or small steamer
- Built: 1873 in Saginaw, Michigan
- Dimensions: 44 ft length × 11 ft beam × 5 ft depth; approx. 11 GRT
- Registry Data: Listed through 1883 in Port Huron shipping records (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Alchem Inc.)
Incident Summary
- Loss Date: Winter 1883 (exact date unknown)
- Location: Lake Huron region, official loss record indicates “Lake Huron” (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Type of Loss: Catastrophic fire aboard vessel
- Document Annotation: Registry surrendered at Port Huron on December 15, 1883, marked “burned” (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Life Safety: Death toll unrecorded; incident severity suggests possible injuries—but no documented casualties
Fire Incident & Aftermath
The Elizabeth White was destroyed by an onboard fire, likely while moored or underway on Lake Huron. The fire was sufficiently severe to fully consume the vessel, leading to her registry being officially surrendered as a total loss. No further records of salvage or recovery exist, and the vessel does not appear in subsequent marine registers (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Sources & Archival References
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“E” section): Official registry surrender, description of loss by fire (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Port Huron Custom House Records (registry log, Dec 15, 1883) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Archival Gaps & Research Needs
- Exact date & location: Precise date and coordinates remain unknown; regional newspapers (e.g., Port Huron Times, Bay City Tribune, Traverse City Record‑Eagle) from late 1883 may include fire or accident notices.
- Causation & scope: Origin of fire (boiler explosion, crew negligence, cargo ignition) and extent—inspector’s reports or fire marshal documentation may hold answers.
- Crew status: Registry and muster rolls could list master and personnel; casualty info may appear in obituaries or marine incident reports.
- Salvage documentation: Insurance filings or Port Huron Custom House logs may show recovery efforts or ash salvage operations.
- Physical remains: Given destruction by fire, little remains afloat; however, fragments or salvage records might be found in Port Huron waterfront archives.
Conclusion
The Elizabeth White was a small, 44‑ft wooden propeller vessel built in 1873 at Saginaw. She was destroyed by fire during 1883, prompting official documentation of her loss in December of that year. The precise circumstances—such as fire origin, crew involvement, and salvage outcome—remain undocumented and warrant further research through regional archives and newspapers.
elizabeth-white-us-135077 1883-02-23 13:58:00