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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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