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 Passenger Steamer – sank 1901)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Vessel Name: George Stauber — a propeller-steam passenger steamer operating on the St. Clair River (Genealogy Trails)
• Type: Steel or iron-hulled passenger steamer, likely similar in size and configuration to river ferries of the period; served Lake Huron/St. Clair river traffic (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Genealogy Trails)
• Date of loss: 21 August 1901 (Genealogy Trails)
• Loss location: In the St. Clair River, abreast of Fort Gratiot (near the road approach to Port Huron), Michigan/Ontario border zone (Genealogy Trails)

Vessel Type

• Use: Passenger steamer, carrying passengers rather than freight (possibly also light cargo), running between Port Huron, Ontario, and U.S. docks in Michigan region (Genealogy Trails)

Description

• While detailed yard build records remain absent in the immediate summary, she is classified alongside other small river steamers of the era—likely under 200 ft length, shallow draft, twin decks to serve passenger routes across the St. Clair River. Passenger count and tonnage are not specified in summary sources.

History

• Operated through the St. Clair River traffic network, likely servicing cross-border passengers in early steam transport era. The vessel collided with the whaleback steamer Alexander McDougall on the evening of 21 August 1901, through a misunderstanding of passing signals. The McDougall struck her sharply and continued on without rendering immediate assistance (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Final Disposition

• Impact caused the George Stauber to founder in approximately 60 ft (about 18 m) of water. She sank within minutes, but no lives were lost. All passengers and crew were rescued—the steambarge Ida (or IDA) came alongside to recover survivors after the McDougall did not stop immediately (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
• Estimated financial loss: approximately US $2,000. The Alexander McDougall sustained no damage. Criticism was later lodged that her captain, W. H. Kilby, failed to assist properly (Genealogy Trails).

Located By & Date Found

• There is no record of the wreck being located or surveyed by divers, sonar, or archaeological teams. The vessel sank in moderate depth near a major navigation channel, but no documented dives or mapping are recorded.

Notmars & Advisories

• No specific Notices to Mariners or sustained hazard bulletins are documented. Given that all lives were saved and the vessel sank near a river channel, it’s plausible follow-up notices were issued temporarily but no long-term hazard remained. None noted in available summaries.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – S‑section: Summary entry details collision, passenger status, sinking, and rescue (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
• Steamboats Casualties & Investigations 1901–02 (GenealogyTrails): Incident log noting collision, location (St. Clair River), cost estimate, rescue notes, and captain charged for failing to assist (Genealogy Trails)
• Flybridge “Today in Great Lakes History” forums: Report of immediate sinking and rescue by IDA, confirming no lives lost (flybridge.proboards.com)

Gaps & Next Steps

• Build records, dimensions, official registry number, owner/operator info, and passenger manifests remain undocumented in accessible sources.
• Crew and passenger identities are unknown—searching Port Huron, Ontario and Michigan newspaper archives (e.g. Port Huron Daily Times, Detroit Free Press) in August–September 1901 may reveal casualty lists, survivor statements, or follow-up board investigation details.
• Official inquiry documents: Canadian or U.S. Board of Marine Inspection and Navigation reports or Port Reports may include testimony, cause analysis, and formal reprimand phrasing.
• Wreck location confirmation: Side‑scan sonar or magnetometer survey around the reported river location (Fort Gratiot channel, St. Clair River) at ~60 ft depth could potentially locate remains; but river currents and sediment likely have obscured the site.

Conclusion

The George Stauber underwent a fatal collision with the whaleback Alexander McDougall on 21 August 1901, in the St. Clair River. The passenger steamer sank rapidly after being struck; however, swift recovery actions by the steambarge Ida ensured that all passengers and crew survived. The Alexander McDougall was unscathed physically, but her crew faced informal charges for failing to aid survivors. The wreck remains undocumented and unlocated archaeologically. Further archival research could enrich the vessel’s profile with more precise and personal data.

photinia-br-187933 1901-08-21 17:12:00