Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: St. Joseph
- Type: Propeller passenger/freight steamer (later converted to steam barge)
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: Hitchcock & Gibson, Buffalo, NY
- Dimensions: Length: 150.8 ft (46 m); Beam: 28 ft (8.5 m); Depth of hold: 9.3 ft (2.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 473.93 gross tons
- Location: Sarnia Boneyard, Ontario
- Official Number: 7429 (U.S. registry)
- Original Owners: Goodrich Transportation Co., American Transit Co.
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Originally constructed as a wooden propeller passenger and freight vessel, the St. Joseph exemplified the mid-19th century trend of steam-driven transport vessels on the Great Lakes. Converted to a steam barge in 1880, the vessel transitioned from mixed-use service to heavy freight hauling — typical of aging hulls that were repurposed instead of scrapped.
Description
The St. Joseph featured a wooden hull typical of her era, designed with utility and lake efficiency in mind. The modifications made in 1880 and in subsequent years reflected a gradual transition toward cargo capacity, notably in beam and machinery changes, aligning with the commercial demands of the early 20th century.
History
- 1867: Launched by Hitchcock & Gibson, Buffalo; enrolled in Buffalo and Grand Haven, MI.
- 1869: Purchased by Goodrich Transportation Co., St. Joseph, MI.
- 1871: Sank in a collision near Fighting Island, Detroit River; salvaged and repaired.
- 1880: Rebuilt as a steam barge to increase cargo handling capabilities.
- 1887–1889: Underwent further rebuilds.
- 1890s–1910s: Passed through multiple owners including Charles A. Chamberlin, Frederick G. McDowell, and F.W. Gilchrist.
- 1916: Registered under Canadian flag as Frank B. Stevens by American Transit Co., Sarnia, Ontario; U.S. registry closed.
- 1922: Moved to the Sarnia Boneyard and scrapped.
Final Disposition
The St. Joseph, renamed Frank B. Stevens, was dismantled at the Sarnia Boneyard circa 1922. No parts of the vessel are believed to remain.
Current Condition & Accessibility
- Condition: Scrapped; no known remains.
- Accessibility: No wreckage available for diving or visitation; area is industrial shoreline.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”frank-b-stevens-st-joesph-c-134517″ title=”References & Links”]
The St. Joseph reflects the transitional era of wooden steam navigation on the Great Lakes. Her extensive service, repeated rebuilds, and ultimate retirement in Sarnia underscore the extended utility and economic repurposing of lake vessels during a time of rapid industrial and maritime evolution.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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