Shotline Diving

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George King US 85313

Explore the remains of the George King, a wooden bulk freight steamer that met its end in a catastrophic fire in 1926, now part of Buffalo’s maritime history.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: George King
  • Type: Wooden propeller-driven bulk freight steamer
  • Year Built: 1874
  • Builder: G. Koenig (King), Marine City, Michigan
  • Dimensions: 176 ft (53.6 m) length × 31 ft beam × 13 ft depth; 533 GRT, 381 NRT
  • Registered Tonnage: 533 GRT, 381 NRT
  • Location: Harbor at Buffalo, Lake Erie
  • Official Number: 85313

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The George King was a wooden propeller-driven bulk freight steamer, commonly referred to as a “lumber hooker.”

Description

Built in 1874 by G. Koenig in Marine City, Michigan, the George King measured 176 feet in length, 31 feet in beam, and had a depth of 13 feet. It had a registered tonnage of 533 gross registered tons (GRT) and 381 net registered tons (NRT).

History

The George King served primarily in the transportation of bulk freight, particularly lumber, during its operational years. Its construction reflects the maritime engineering practices of the late 19th century.

Significant Incidents

  • Date of loss: September 20, 1926
  • Location: Harbor at Buffalo, Lake Erie
  • Cause: A catastrophic fire destroyed the vessel, resulting in a total loss.
  • Casualties: None reported.

Final Disposition

After the fire, the hull of the George King was salvaged and repurposed as a dock in Buffalo, indicating that some structural components were recovered and reused.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current condition of the wreck is unknown, as the original vessel burned at dock. However, remnants of the hull may still exist underwater, warranting further investigation.

Resources & Links

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The story of the George King exemplifies the lifecycle of a late-19th-century wooden bulk steamer and its transformation into infrastructure. Investigating her remains and dock legacy could enhance understanding of maritime engineering and harbor adaptation in the early 20th century.

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.

Identification & Vessel Details

  • Name: George King
  • Official number: 85313
  • Type: Wooden propeller-driven bulk freight steamer (commonly referred to as a “lumber hooker”)
  • Built: 1874 by G. Koenig (King), Marine City, Michigan
  • Dimensions: 176 ft length × 31 ft beam × 13 ft depth; 533 GRT, 381 NRT (CORE, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Incident & Loss Details

  • Date of loss: September 20, 1926
  • Location: Harbor at Buffalo, Lake Erie
  • Cause: A catastrophic fire destroyed the vessel; she burned to a total loss (alcheminc.com)
  • Casualties: None

Aftermath & Legacy

  • The hull was salvaged and repurposed as a dock in Buffalo, indicating partial or complete recovery of structural components (alcheminc.com)

Sources & Citations

  • Alchem’s Lake Erie Shipwreck Map & Index — confirms vessel type, loss date, location, and post-fire hull reuse (alcheminc.com)
  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“G” selections) — provides build details, tonnage, and incident summary (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Research Gaps & Possible Next Steps

AreaRecommended Actions
Construction recordsLocate builder’s plans, launch photos, and engineering specifications from Marine City archives or G. Koenig family records (e.g., shipyard logs).
Fire incident investigationReview 1926 Buffalo newspapers (e.g. Buffalo Courier, Buffalo Evening News) for coverage of the fire’s origin, firefighting response, and hull salvage documentation.
Dock remnantsInvestigate Buffalo harbor infrastructure records and historical photos for the dock built from the hull—structures may still exist or be documented in city archives.
Maritime repurposing patternsExamine U.S. Army Corps and Buffalo port records to trace repurposing of hulls into docks during the 1920s.
Site surveyThough the original wreck burnt at dock, remnants of the hull may still exist underwater. A diver reconnaissance or sonar sweep near the original dock site could be valuable.

Significance

George King exemplifies a late-19th-century wooden bulk steamer whose lifecycle extended into infrastructure reuse—being burned and transformed into a dock. Her story illustrates both industrial practices of mid-Atlantic freight transport and recycling of hull structures in the early 20th century. Investigating her remains and dock legacy would deepen understanding of heritage maritime engineering and harbor adaptation.

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