Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Francis P. Richie
- Type: Wooden-hulled gas propeller screw
- Year Built: 1888
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Chantry Island, Lake Huron
- Official Number: 92011
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Originally built as the schooner Marguerite in 1888, the vessel underwent a conversion after 1910 to become a gas-powered vessel. It was later renamed Nancy and finally Francis P. Richie in 1925.
Description
The Francis P. Richie was a wooden-hulled gas propeller screw vessel with twin-screw propulsion. At the time of its loss, it was transporting disassembled trucks and gasoline.
History
The vessel departed from Chicago bound for Miami, Florida, carrying two owners and three guests. It was loaded with three disassembled trucks, 4,000 gallons of gasoline, and personal effects.
Significant Incidents
- Loss Circumstances: The vessel was caught in a severe gale on Lake Huron. While seeking safe haven at Southampton, Ontario, the rudder was torn off, leading to a loss of steering.
- Grounding: The Richie was blown onto the reef at Chantry Island, where it broke up and sank.
- Rescue Efforts: All five crew members and owners were safely rescued by local fishermen, with no casualties reported.
Final Disposition
The Francis P. Richie broke up on the reef and sank. The wreck is confirmed, and further research is recommended to understand its current condition and any archaeological significance.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck condition is noted as having broken up on the reef and subsequently sunk. Accessibility for divers may vary based on local conditions and regulations.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”francis-p-richie-marguerite-us-92011″ title=”References & Links”]
Further research into the Francis P. Richie can provide insights into its operational history, the circumstances of its loss, and the maritime conditions of Lake Huron in 1931.
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.
(Propeller Gas Screw – ex-Marguerite, built 1888; lost August 29, 1931)
Vessel Identity & Conversion
- Original Build: Launched in 1888 as the schooner Marguerite, later renamed Nancy and finally Francis P. Richie in 1925
- Official Number: 92011
- Type at Loss: Wooden-hulled gas propeller screw, twin-screw propulsion
- Conversion: After 1910, converted from schooner yacht to gas-powered vessel
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Wreck (August 29, 1931)
- Route: Departed Chicago, bound for Miami, Florida, with two owners and three guests aboard
- Cargo: Transported 3 disassembled trucks, 4,000 gallons of gasoline, and personal effects
- Loss Circumstances: Caught in a severe gale on Lake Huron; the vessel’s rudder was torn off while seeking safe haven at Southampton, Ontario
- With no steering, Richie was blown onto the reef at Chantry Island, where she broke up and sank
- Rescue Efforts: The five crew and owners were safely rescued by local fishermen—no casualties
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary of Findings
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name History | Marguerite → Nancy → Francis P. Richie |
| Build & Conversion | Built 1888; gas-engine conversion after 1910 |
| Accident Date | August 29, 1931 |
| Route/Cargo | Chicago → Miami; trucks, gasoline, personal belongings |
| Cause of Wreck | Gale off Southampton; rudder loss; reef grounding |
| Fatalities | None (5 onboard rescued) |
| Rescue | By Southampton fishermen |
| Wreck Condition | Broke up on reef; sunk |
Recommended Research & Follow-Up
- Weather records (Aug 1931)
- NOAA archives for storm intensity and lake conditions on Lake Huron near Southampton.
- Ship registry & engine documentation
- Details on gas-engine conversion, ownership, and registered specifications from marine registries.
- Local newspaper archives (1931)
- Southampton News, Toronto Star coverage for rescue accounts and eyewitness reports.
- Cargo manifest and salvage data
- Marine insurance or customs records detailing valuable cargo and any recovery operations.
- Maritime archaeological documentation
- Dive logs, sonar surveys, or wreck mapping reports around Chantry Island reef.
- NOAA weather data for late August 1931 on Lake Huron
- Registry logs and engine conversion documents
- 1931 newspaper coverage in Southampton or broader Ontario
- Insurance/salvage records related to the cargo
- Marine archaeology data on Chantry Reef wreckage