Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Kate White
- Type: Propeller (converted tug)
- Year Built: 1885
- Builder: William Loomis
- Dimensions: Length: 62 ft 2 in (18.9 m); Beam: 16 ft (4.9 m); Depth of hold: 5 ft 6 in (1.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 28; Net Tonnage: 14
- Location: Fairport Harbor entrance, Lake Erie
- Official Number: 14439
- Original Owners: Thomas White, J.A. Dash, Richard P. Dailey, John Dailey
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Kate White was originally built as a wooden propeller steamer, later cut down and converted to tug service in 1897. Typical of smaller wooden screw-propelled vessels of the period, she was designed for versatility in harbor work, light towing, and nearshore cargo handling on Lake Erie.
Description
The Kate White was a wooden vessel with a screw propulsion system, featuring a high-pressure engine with two cylinders. After her conversion to a tug, her dimensions were altered, and she was utilized for various towing and cargo tasks in the Great Lakes region.
History
History
- 1885: Built by William Loomis, Erie, PA for Thomas White
- 1897, November 11: Converted to a tug at Erie, dimensions changed to 66 ft 1 in x 15 ft 8 in x 5 ft 2 in, 24 gross tons
- 1899: Owned by J.A. Dash
- 1904, November 2: Owned by Richard P. Dailey, Erie
- 1905, February 9: Owned by John Dailey, Cleveland, OH
- 1906, August 15: Returned to Richard P. Dailey, Erie
- 1907, August 18: Stranded during a storm at the Fairport harbor entrance when her wheel ropes failed, leading to loss of control
- 1907, December 5: Enrollment surrendered at Erie, noted as wrecked, abandoned, and a total loss
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Stranded during a storm on August 18, 1907, at Fairport Harbor due to mechanical failure.
- Noted as wrecked and abandoned by December 5, 1907.
Final Disposition
Total loss, abandoned after stranding in a storm at Fairport Harbor, Lake Erie.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No confirmed remains visible; the wreck is presumed to have disintegrated or been removed due to navigational hazard concerns at the harbor entrance.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”kate-white-us-14439″ title=”References & Links”]
The Kate White is a representative example of smaller Great Lakes steam propellers adapted for tug service, illustrating the versatility and working conditions of late 19th and early 20th century harbor vessels. Her loss during a storm underscores the vulnerability of even nearshore craft to mechanical failure and rough weather on Lake Erie.
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 & Site Information
- Name: Kate White
- Official Number: 14439
- Year Built: 1885
- Type: Propeller (converted tug)
- Hull Material: Wood
- Number of Decks: 2
- Builder: William Loomis
- Built at: Erie, Pennsylvania
- Original Owner: Thomas White, Erie, Pennsylvania
- Propulsion: Screw
- Engine Type: High pressure (including HPNC)
- Cylinders: 2 (10 x 12 inches)
- Boilers: 1 (5 x 10 feet at 110 psi dry bottom boiler)
- Horsepower: 170 hp at 225 rpm (Bay State Iron Works, Erie, PA, 1885)
- Length: 62 ft 2 in (18.9 m)
- Beam: 16 ft (4.9 m)
- Depth: 5 ft 6 in (1.7 m)
- Gross Tonnage: 28
- Net Tonnage: 14
- Final Location: Fairport Harbor entrance, Lake Erie
- Date Lost: August 18, 1907
- How Lost: Stranded in storm after wheel ropes broke
Vessel Type Description
The Kate White was originally built as a wooden propeller steamer, later cut down and converted to tug service in 1897. Typical of smaller wooden screw-propelled vessels of the period, she was designed for versatility in harbor work, light towing, and nearshore cargo handling on Lake Erie.
History
- 1885: Built by William Loomis, Erie, PA for Thomas White
- 1897, November 11: Converted to a tug at Erie, dimensions changed to 66 ft 1 in x 15 ft 8 in x 5 ft 2 in, 24 gross tons
- 1899: Owned by J.A. Dash
- 1904, November 2: Owned by Richard P. Dailey, Erie
- 1905, February 9: Owned by John Dailey, Cleveland, OH
- 1906, August 15: Returned to Richard P. Dailey, Erie
- 1907, August 18: Stranded during a storm at the Fairport harbor entrance when her wheel ropes failed, leading to loss of control
- 1907, December 5: Enrollment surrendered at Erie, noted as wrecked, abandoned, and a total loss
Final Disposition
Total loss, abandoned after stranding in a storm at Fairport Harbor, Lake Erie.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the wreck.
Located By & Date
No modern survey documentation; presumed broken up or buried at Fairport Harbor entrance.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No confirmed remains visible; the wreck is presumed to have disintegrated or been removed due to navigational hazard concerns at the harbor entrance.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships Database (BGSU)
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (Bowling Green State University)
- Chronicling America Historic Newspapers
- Google News Historic Archives
Conclusion
The Kate White is a representative example of smaller Great Lakes steam propellers adapted for tug service, illustrating the versatility and working conditions of late 19th and early 20th century harbor vessels. Her loss during a storm underscores the vulnerability of even nearshore craft to mechanical failure and rough weather on Lake Erie.
Keywords
Kate White, tug, propeller, Lake Erie, Fairport Harbor, shipwreck, Great Lakes maritime history