Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Little Nell
- Type: Sidewheel steamer (passenger and freight)
- Year Built: 1857
- Builder: Detroit
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Not recorded
- Location: Saginaw River or near Saginaw
- Coordinates: Not available
- Official Number: Not recorded in primary sources
- Original Owners: Not specified
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Small sidewheel passenger-freight steamer on Lake Huron
Description
The Little Nell was a sidewheel steamer built in 1857 in Detroit, primarily serving passenger and freight routes on Lake Huron, particularly to Saginaw and Port Huron.
History
The Little Nell was part of the growing steamer travel on Lake Huron during the 1860s, a period marked by increased fire hazards on vessels, especially during nighttime operations or while docked.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: August 29, 1863
- Location: Saginaw River or near Saginaw (Lake Huron)
- Incident: A fire broke out onboard at night, quickly consuming the vessel and resulting in a total loss.
- Fatalities: 4 lives lost (all aboard).
- Engine Recovery: The steampump engine was salvaged from the wreck site.
Final Disposition
The Little Nell was destroyed by fire, with her hull lost and four lives perished. The engine was salvaged shortly after the incident, indicating prompt recovery efforts.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Little Nell remains submerged in the Saginaw River area, with no current accessibility details available.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”little-nell-1857″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Little Nell on August 29, 1863, highlights the risks faced by early steamboats on Lake Huron. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of maritime travel during this era.
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.
(built 1857; lost August 29, 1863)
Small sidewheel passenger‑freight steamer on Lake Huron
Identification & Vessel Overview
- Built: 1857 in Detroit
- Type: Sidewheel steamer (passenger and freight)
- Official Number: Not recorded in primary sources
- Operated on: Lake Huron, often serving routes into Saginaw and Port Huron
Final Voyage & Loss
- Date of Loss: August 29, 1863
- Location: Saginaw River or near Saginaw (Lake Huron)
- Incident: A fire broke out onboard at night—or possibly while approaching or docked near Saginaw. The blaze quickly consumed the vessel, and she burned to a total loss.
- Cargo & Passengers: Carrying freight and passengers; records indicate 4 lives lost (all aboard perished).
- Engine Recovery: Her steampump engine was later salvaged from the wreck site.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Little Nell |
| Built | 1857, Detroit |
| Type | Sidewheel steamer (passenger/freight) |
| Loss Date | August 29, 1863 |
| Loss Location | Saginaw River/Lake Huron area |
| Cause of Loss | Fire aboard vessel; destroyed |
| Passengers & Crew | Fatalities: 4 (all aboard) |
| Cargo | Freight (unspecified) |
| Engine Recovery | Engine salvaged post‑fire |
Research & Historical Context
- The buildup of steamer travel on Lake Huron by the 1860s led to frequent on-board fire hazards—especially overnight or while docked in port.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) - Little Nell‘s loss typifies these vulnerabilities; her engine recovery underscores that salvage operations began promptly—but too late to save the hull or lives.
Research Leads & Suggestions
To enrich your documentation of the Little Nell incident (and possibly identify crew or passenger names):
- Saginaw-area newspaper archives, circa early September 1863—e.g. Saginaw Courier, Detroit Free Press—for fire and fatality notices.
- Maritime insurance or underwriting ledgers from 1863, which may record claims or valuations referencing the vessel.
- Local historical societies or maritime museums (e.g. in Saginaw or Bay City), which might retain engine recovery photographs or wreck accounts.
- Port Saginaw or Michigan customs paperwork, listing registered vessels or passenger manifests for Little Nell.
Conclusion
The Little Nell was lost to a devastating fire on August 29, 1863, in the Saginaw River corridor. Four lives were sadly lost, while her engine was later salvaged. As a mid‑19th‑century sidewheel steamer, her loss is illustrative of early steamboat risks on Lake Huron. Let me know if you’d like assistance tracking period newspapers or salvage records to deepen the profile.
little-nell-1857 1863-08-29 10:15:00