Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: George H. Van Vleck
- Type: Wooden-hulled propeller, bulk freighter
- Year Built: 1875
- Builder: Union Dry Dock
- Dimensions: 238 × 35 × 13 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 1,020 gross tons; 940 net tons
- Location: Wyandotte Channel, Detroit River
- Official Number: 150042
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled propeller, bulk freighter.
Description
The George H. Van Vleck was originally built as the Portage in 1875 at Buffalo, NY, by Union Dry Dock (Hull #15). In 1910, it was converted from a package freighter to bulk freight operations and renamed George H. Van Vleck.
History
The vessel had a service history that included several incidents prior to its loss, including fires and sinking events in 1903, 1907, and July 1914, which were documented in shipping logs as separate losses or rebuildings.
Significant Incidents
- Date & Location: December 4, 1918, in the Detroit River at Wyandotte Channel (near Ecorse, MI).
- Weather Conditions: High winds and strong river current during a winter gale.
- Event Summary: The Van Vleck was blown off her moorings and into the main channel, where she was driven aground by strong current. Her remaining structure capsized or settled grounded, and she was later declared a total loss and abandoned. No lives were lost during the incident.
Final Disposition
The George H. Van Vleck was wrecked and abandoned, with its registry surrendered thereafter. It was declared a total loss, and no salvage operations were recorded.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is not documented, and accessibility details are not available.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”george-h-van-vleck-us-150042-portage” title=”References & Links”]
Further research into the George H. Van Vleck could provide insights into its operational history and the circumstances surrounding its loss, particularly through local newspaper archives and harbor authority records.
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 Package Freighter, built 1875; lost December 4, 1918)
Vessel Identity & Registry
- Original Name: Portage, built in 1875 at Buffalo, NY, by Union Dry Dock (Hull #15)
- Renamed: Became George H. Van Vleck in 1910 after conversion from a package freighter to bulk freight operations
- Official Number: 150042
- Type: Wooden-hulled propeller, bulk freighter
- Dimensions: 238 × 35 × 13 ft, approx. 1,020 gross tons, 940 net tons
Final Incident (December 4, 1918)
- Date & Location: December 4, 1918, in the Detroit River at Wyandotte Channel (near Ecorse, MI)
- Weather Conditions: High winds and strong river current during a winter gale
- Event Summary:
Van Vleck was blown off her moorings and into the main channel, where she was driven aground by strong current. Her remaining structure capsized or settled grounded, and she was later declared a total loss and abandoned.
No lives were lost during the incident. - Later Notes: The vessel had earlier incidents including fires and sinking events in 1903, 1907, and July 1914—documented in shipping logs as separate losses or rebuildings.
Incident Summary Table
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name & Type | George H. Van Vleck, wooden propeller freighter |
| Built & Conversion | 1875 as Portage; converted and renamed in 1910 |
| Loss Date & Locale | December 4, 1918; Wyandotte Channel, Detroit River |
| Cause of Loss | Blown off moorings and aground due to wind/current |
| Casualties | None |
| Disposition | Wrecked, abandoned, registry surrendered thereafter |
| Final Status | Total loss; no salvage recorded |
Recommendations for Further Research
- Local Newspaper Archives (Dec 1918)
- Detroit Free Press and Wyandotte Echo likely contain detailed reports on the grounding—especially given the wartime shipping context.
- Harbor Authority & Tow Logs
- Records from the Detroit River harbor authority may include docking, salvage attempts, or warnings about hazards in the channel.
- Hydrographic Chart Analysis (1910s era)
- Survey charts could clarify the precise grounding point in the channel and help define navigational risk zones.
- Registry & Inspection Records
- U.S. Inspection Service files might capture prior loss events (1903, 1907, 1914) and the final abandonment documentation.
- Archival Follow‑Up on Demolition or Wreck Site
- Possible underwater debris records in municipal or NOAA logs—useful for heritage or dive interest.