Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: ILLINOIS
- Type: Sidewheel Steamer / Propeller Barge
- Year Built: circa 1837
- Builder: Charles Worth
- Dimensions: 205 ft 6 in (62.6 m) X 29 ft 2 in (8.9 m); Depth 13 ft 1 in (4.0 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 755 20/95 tons (old style)
- Depth at Wreck Site: 4 m / 13 ft
- Location: Port Austin, Michigan
- Original Owners: Oliver Newberry, Capt. McAlpine, Sarah Kelly & William Warriner
- Number of Masts: 3 (initial), reduced to 1 in final rebuild
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Initially built as a barge, the ILLINOIS underwent several transformations throughout its service life, including conversions to a sidewheel steamer and later to a propeller steambarge.
Description
The ILLINOIS was constructed of wood and featured a single deck. It was originally launched as a barge in 1836 and was later converted to a sidewheel steamer in 1838, which included the addition of upper decks and cabins. The vessel was notable for its size and capacity, accommodating approximately 300 passengers.
History
The ILLINOIS was launched on December 22, 1836, and enrolled under the ownership of Oliver Newberry in 1838. Throughout its operational history, the vessel faced numerous challenges, including collisions and machinery failures, leading to multiple repairs. By 1850, it was deemed unfit for use and laid up for two years before being dismantled. The original engine was later transferred to a newly built vessel of the same name in 1853. The hull was repurposed for lumber use in 1861 and underwent several rebuilds, including a conversion for passenger trade in 1868.
Significant Incidents
- 1839–1844: Suffered collisions and machinery failures; repaired multiple times.
- 1850: Deemed unfit for use; laid up for two years, dismantled at Detroit.
- 1867: Sunk in Detroit River; later raised.
- 1868, Sep 13: Foundered in a storm while loaded with lumber near Port Austin, MI; crew escaped in boats.
Final Disposition
The ILLINOIS foundered in a storm on September 13, 1868, while carrying a cargo of lumber. The crew managed to escape in boats, but the vessel was lost to the depths of Lake Huron.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No known dive documentation or confirmed site coordinates are currently recorded in the NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary or private registries. The wreck is believed to be in deep water near Port Austin.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”illinois-1837″ title=”References & Links”]
The ILLINOIS represents one of the earliest large sidewheelers on the Great Lakes, undergoing numerous conversions and ownerships over its three-decade lifespan. Its career included both passenger and freight service, collisions, mechanical failures, and rebuilds—culminating in its foundering during a storm off Port Austin in 1868. While not widely remembered today, the vessel played a key role in early Great Lakes navigation.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Vessel Name: ILLINOIS
- Year Built: circa 1837
- Built At: Detroit, Michigan
- Vessel Type: Initially barge; converted to steamer; later propeller steambarge
- Hull Material: Wood
- Decks: 1
- Builder: Charles Worth
- Original Owner: Oliver Newberry, Detroit, MI
- Final Disposition: Foundered in storm
- Date of Loss: 13 September 1868
- Location: Port Austin, Michigan
- Water Body: Lake Huron
- Final Cargo: 116,000 feet of lumber
Vessel Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Length | 205 ft 6 in (62.6 m) |
| Beam | 29 ft 2 in (8.9 m) |
| Depth | 13 ft 1 in (4.0 m) |
| Tonnage | 755 20/95 tons (old style) |
| Passenger Capacity | ~300 passengers |
| Propulsion (initial) | Sidewheel steamer with 56″ x 10′ low-pressure crosshead engine |
| Propulsion (final) | Converted to propeller steambarge |
| Engine Origin | James P. Allaire, New York (later installed in second ILLINOIS) |
| Masts | 3 (initial), reduced to 1 in final rebuild |
History
- 1836, Dec 22: Launched as a barge.
- 1838: Converted to sidewheel steamer at Detroit; added upper decks and cabins.
- 1838, Oct 20: Enrolled at Detroit under ownership of Oliver Newberry.
- 1839–1844: Suffered collisions and machinery failures; repaired multiple times.
- 1850: Deemed unfit for use; laid up for two years, dismantled at Detroit.
- 1853: Original engine transferred to newly built ILLINOIS (1853).
- 1861: Hull purchased by Capt. McAlpine for lumber use.
- 1863: Rebuilt as steam lumber barge; enrolled as 159′ x 27’8″ x 5’6″; 228 tons.
- 1865: Owned by Sarah Kelly & William Warriner, Detroit.
- 1867: Sunk in Detroit River; later raised.
- 1868: Converted again for passenger trade and inspected at Detroit.
- 1868, Sep 13: Foundered in a storm while loaded with lumber near Port Austin, MI; crew escaped in boats.
Notmars & Advisories
- No current USCG or NOAA navigational hazard notices for Port Austin area pertaining to this wreck.
Resources & References
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Lytle-Holdcamper List of U.S. Merchant Vessels
- Steamboat Era in the Muskokas – Richard Tatley
- Erik Heyl – Early American Steamers
- Donald V. Baut Archive
- C. Patrick Labadie Collection
- Milwaukee Public Library Marine Collection
- Great Lakes Vessels – HCGL Database
Shore Dive Information
Not applicable. The ILLINOIS foundered in deep water near Port Austin, Lake Huron. No known dive documentation or confirmed site coordinates are currently recorded in the NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary or private registries.
Conclusion
The ILLINOIS represents one of the earliest large sidewheelers on the Great Lakes, undergoing numerous conversions and ownerships over its three-decade lifespan. Its career included both passenger and freight service, collisions, mechanical failures, and rebuilds—culminating in its foundering during a storm off Port Austin in 1868. While not widely remembered today, the vessel played a key role in early Great Lakes navigation.
Keywords & Categories
- Region: Lake Huron
- Vessel Type: Sidewheel Steamer → Propeller Barge
- Cause of Loss: Foundered
- Construction: Wood
- Period: Pre-registration (pre-1867)
- Historical Value: High – Early Great Lakes steam navigation
- Dive Site: None known