Shotline Diving

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Lewis Gilbert US 140181

Explore the history of the Lewis Gilbert, a wooden steambarge that served in the lumber trade before being rebuilt and renamed, continuing its legacy until its sinking in 1924.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Lewis Gilbert
  • Type: Wooden Steambarge
  • Year Built: 1876
  • Builder: Lewis Sharbineau, Mount Clemens, Michigan
  • Dimensions: Length: 92 ft (28 m); Beam: 22 ft (6.7 m); Depth of hold: 6.2 ft (1.9 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 92.8 GT
  • Location: Lake Michigan
  • Official Number: 140181
  • Original Owners: Lonsby Brothers, Fred, John & Richard Seymour
  • Number of Masts: 1

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type: Wooden Steambarge

Description

The Lewis Gilbert was a wooden steambarge built in 1876, measuring 92 feet in length and 22 feet in beam. It was powered by a high-pressure single-cylinder engine and had a screw propulsion system.

History

Ownership & Service History:

  • 1876, May 19: Enrolled at Detroit, Michigan.
  • 1878: Extensively overhauled in Detroit.
  • 1878, April 5: Sold to Lonsby Brothers, Mount Clemens, Michigan.
  • 1879, September 17: Owned by Fred, John & Richard Seymour, Manistee, Michigan.
  • 1879, October 11: Ownership transferred to Grand Haven, Michigan under the same owners.
  • 1881: Operated in the Montague-Chicago lumber trade, carrying lumber across Lake Michigan.

Significant Incidents

Final Disposition & Rebuild: In April 1882, the Lewis Gilbert was rebuilt from the keel up as the steambarge R.A. Seymour, Jr. (US #110672). On April 10, 1882, it was officially abandoned in name, as its structure was repurposed into the R.A. Seymour, Jr..

Final Disposition

The Lewis Gilbert was not scrapped but was fully rebuilt and renamed, extending its operational life under new ownership. As R.A. Seymour, Jr., the vessel continued to operate in the Great Lakes lumber trade until its abandonment and sinking in 1924.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Lewis Gilbert is confirmed, but specific details regarding its current condition and accessibility for divers are not available.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”lewis-gilbert-us-140181″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The Lewis Gilbert was a small but active steambarge, serving in the lumber trade on Lake Michigan from 1876 to 1882. Instead of meeting a typical shipwreck fate, she was completely rebuilt as the R.A. Seymour, Jr. in 1882, continuing her service until 1924, when she was finally abandoned and sunk.

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.

Steambarge Lewis Gilbert (1876)

Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Lewis Gilbert
  • Other Names: None
  • Official Number: 140181
  • Vessel Type at Loss: Wooden Steambarge
  • Builder: Lewis Sharbineau, Mount Clemens, Michigan
  • Year Built & Launched: 1876
  • Specifications: Length: 92 ft (28 m) Beam: 22 ft (6.7 m) Depth: 6.2 ft (1.9 m)
    • Gross Tonnage: 92.8 GT
  • Decks: 1
  • Number of Masts: 1
  • Power & Propulsion
    • Propulsion Type: Screw (propeller-driven steambarge)
    • Engine Type: High-pressure single-cylinder engine
    • Cylinder Size: 14.5″ x 18″
  • Engine Manufacturer: Sheriff’s Manufacturing Co., Milwaukee, WI
  • Boiler: 6.5′ x 13′ firebox boiler

Ownership & Service History

  • 1876, May 19: Enrolled at Detroit, Michigan.
  • 1878: Extensively overhauled in Detroit.
  • 1878, April 5: Sold to Lonsby Brothers, Mount Clemens, Michigan.
  • 1879, September 17: Owned by Fred, John & Richard Seymour, Manistee, Michigan.
  • 1879, October 11: Ownership transferred to Grand Haven, Michigan under the same owners.
  • 1881: Operated in the Montague-Chicago lumber trade, carrying lumber across Lake Michigan.

Final Disposition & Rebuild

April 1882: Lewis Gilbert was rebuilt from the keel up as the steambarge R.A. Seymour, Jr. (US #110672). April 10, 1882: Officially abandoned in name, as her structure was repurposed into the R.A. Seymour, Jr..

Legacy & Connection to R.A. Seymour, Jr. (1882)

Rather than being scrapped, the Lewis Gilbert was fully rebuilt and renamed, extending her operational life under new ownership. As R.A. Seymour, Jr., the vessel continued to operate in Great Lakes lumber trade until her abandonment and sinking in 1924.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Lewis Gilbert was a small but active steambarge, serving in the lumber trade on Lake Michigan from 1876 to 1882. Instead of meeting a typical shipwreck fate, she was completely rebuilt as the R.A. Seymour, Jr. in 1882, continuing her service until 1924, when she was finally abandoned and sunk.

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