Lucile – Lake Erie Steamer Shipwreck (1906)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Lucile (formerly Pickup)
• Type: Wooden propeller steamer
• Year Built: 1883
• Builder: C. King
• Dimensions: 80 × 19 × 7 ft (~24.4 × 5.8 × 2.1 m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 137 gross / 107 net tons
• Location: About 1 mile east of Turtle Island Light, off Toledo, Ohio
• Official Number: 150304
• Original Owners: Captain Fred Brower of Ashland, Wisconsin

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden propeller steamer configured for passenger and package freight service.

Description

The Lucile was originally built as the Pickup in 1883 and was later renamed in 1886. The vessel measured approximately 80 feet in length, 19 feet in beam, and 7 feet in depth, with a registered tonnage of 137 gross and 107 net tons.

History

Built in 1883 by C. King in Marine City, Michigan, the Lucile underwent a significant rebuild in 1905 after a fire in August 1904 at Ashland, Wisconsin, which burned her to the waterline. This rebuild may have contributed to her structural instability by 1906.

Significant Incidents

• August 8, 1906: The Lucile foundered due to hull failure about 1 mile east of Turtle Island Light, Toledo, Ohio, in Lake Erie. The vessel sprang a leak in good weather and sank rapidly.
• All five crew members aboard survived, abandoning ship in lifeboats.

Final Disposition

The Lucile was judged a total loss following her sinking. No cargo was reported aboard at the time of her loss.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current condition of the wreck is not documented, and accessibility details are not available.

Resources & Links

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The loss of the Lucile illustrates the risks associated with aging vessels and the potential for catastrophic failure due to hull integrity issues, even in calm conditions. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in early 20th-century Great Lakes shipping.