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.

Site Description

• Wreck Name: George T. Burroughs
• Type: Steam Barge (converted to a sandsucker in 1901)
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 33 meters (110 feet)
  • Beam: 7.4 meters (24.2 feet)
  • Depth: 2.6 meters (8.7 feet)
• Location: St. Clair River Flats, near Trautz’s dock, Lake St. Clair
• Depth: 10 meters (35 feet)
• Status: Dynamited hull remains, with engine and machinery removed.

Vessel Overview

The George T. Burroughs was a wooden steam barge built in 1881 by Davis & Brondage in Chicago, Illinois. It was powered by a 375-horsepower high-pressure steam engine with one cylinder, manufactured in Glasgow, and a 90-pound firebox boiler built by R. Davis in Milwaukee. The vessel featured a single propeller and was designed for efficient freight transport along Great Lakes trade routes.

• Gross Tonnage: 180 tons
• Net Tonnage: 111 tons
• Engine Specifications:
• Single cylinder, high-pressure steam
• 375 horsepower at 105 rpm

History

Construction and Early Operations

• Built in 1881 for R.A. Davis and Louis Brondage of Chicago.
• Operated initially between Chicago and Muskegon, Michigan, carrying general cargo.

Fire and Rebuild

• July 1881: Caught fire near Grosse Pointe, Evanston, Illinois, burning to the water’s edge. The hull was towed to Milwaukee for rebuilding, increasing the gross tonnage to 180 tons.
• Rebuilt vessel resumed operations under new ownership, including Albert H. Petrie, D.W. Chipman, and L.S. Raesser.

Later Service

By 1901, under the ownership of Standard Contracting Company of Cleveland, the vessel was converted into a sandsucker, specialized for transporting gravel and other dredged materials.

Final Incident

May 31, 1905: Sank following a collision with the steamer C.F. Bielman near Trautz’s dock in the St. Clair Flats, Lake St. Clair.

• Cargo: Gravel
• No casualties were reported.

Disposition

Following the sinking:

• The engine and machinery were salvaged.
• The remaining hull was dynamited, as it posed a hazard to navigation.
• Official documentation for the vessel was surrendered on June 22, 1905, marking the official end of its service.

Notable Incidents

• Fire (July 1881):
  • Burned to the waterline near Grosse Pointe.
  • Crew of 11 saved by the tug A.B. Ward.
  • Vessel rebuilt and returned to service.
• Collision and Sinking (May 31, 1905):
  • Collided with C.F. Bielman, leading to its final sinking in the St. Clair Flats.

Wreck Condition and Diving Notes

• Current Condition: The wreck site primarily consists of scattered debris due to the dynamiting of the hull.
• Accessibility: Located in shallow water at 10 meters (35 feet), suitable for recreational diving. However, visibility and current conditions in the St. Clair River may vary.

Historical Significance

The George T. Burroughs illustrates the evolution of Great Lakes steam barges, from general cargo carriers to specialized sandsuckers. Its history is marked by notable incidents, including fire and collision, reflecting the challenges of 19th- and early 20th-century maritime operations. The vessel’s demise in the St. Clair Flats adds to the rich narrative of shipwrecks in the region.

External Links

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive database of Great Lakes shipwrecks.
• Ray’s Scuba Blog: Diving insights and site details on wrecks like the George T. Burroughs.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Detailed historical records of vessels and incidents.
• Great Lakes Ships Database: Information on Great Lakes vessel construction and ownership.

Keywords

George T. Burroughs, Steam Barge, Sandsucker, St. Clair River Flats, Lake St. Clair Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Great Lakes Wrecks, C.F. Bielman Collision.

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