Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mackinaw
- Type: Wooden side-wheel or propeller steamer
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: At dock, Port Huron, Michigan
- Official Number: 6958
- Original Owners: Rice & Van Buskirk
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A wooden steamers originally built as side-wheel vessel and later converted to propeller-driven configuration in 1877; lengthened in 1880. Intended for freight operations on Lake Huron—common among Great Lakes steam freighters transitioning from side-wheel to propeller technology.
Description
Mackinaw was composed of typical wooden hull construction, converted and modified during her operational life. Built prior to 1877, she underwent conversion to propeller-drive that year and received a lengthening by 19 feet in 1880. Her machinery and structural character reflect evolving steamer design of the late 19th century. At loss, she was docked and actively unloading a cargo of corn.
History
- Owned by Rice & Van Buskirk of Port Huron, Michigan; commanded by Captain W. E. Rice at time of loss.
- Rebuilt to propeller from a side-wheeler in 1877 and extended by 19′ in 1880 to increase capacity and efficiency.
- Engaged primarily in regional freight traffic on Lake Huron, particularly servicing routes between Port Huron and other commercial ports.
Significant Incidents
- On October 28, 1890, Mackinaw caught fire beneath her boiler while at dock and caught well-alight. The crew and dock labourers pushed her away from the wharf to prevent damage to other vessels.
- She burned to a total loss while unloading corn cargo; entire hull destroyed and loss declared absolute.
- No life lost; crew successfully evacuated.
Final Disposition
- On October 28, 1890, Mackinaw caught fire beneath her boiler while at dock and caught well-alight. The crew and dock labourers pushed her away from the wharf to prevent damage to other vessels.
- She burned to a total loss while unloading corn cargo; entire hull destroyed and loss declared absolute.
- No life lost; crew successfully evacuated.
Current Condition & Accessibility
– No Notices to Mariners or hazard bulletins noted post-loss—likely because the wreck was dockside and removed after fire.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mackinaw-us-6958″ title=”References & Links”]
This incident highlights the transition-era vessels adapting from side-wheel to propeller propulsion and exemplifies the risks of moored dock operations, particularly concerning boiler area fires under cargo-handling conditions.
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
- Name: Mackinaw
- Official No.: 6958 (Facebook, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Type: Wooden side‑wheel or propeller steamer (originally converted from sidewheeler in 1877, lengthened in 1880) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Location of Loss: At dock, Port Huron, Michigan (Lake Huron)
- Date of Loss: October 28, 1890
- Cargo: Corn (being unloaded at dock)
- Casualties: None reported
Vessel Type
A wooden steamers originally built as side‑wheel vessel and later converted to propeller-driven configuration in 1877; lengthened in 1880. Intended for freight operations on Lake Huron—common among Great Lakes steam freighters transitioning from side-wheel to propeller technology.
Description
Mackinaw was composed of typical wooden hull construction, converted and modified during her operational life. Built prior to 1877, she underwent conversion to propeller-drive that year and received a lengthening by 19 feet in 1880. Her machinery and structural character reflect evolving steamer design of the late 19th century. At loss, she was docked and actively unloading a cargo of corn.
History
- Owned by Rice & Van Buskirk of Port Huron, Michigan; commanded by Captain W. E. Rice at time of loss. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, goderich.ca)
- Rebuilt to propeller from a side-wheeler in 1877 and extended by 19′ in 1880 to increase capacity and efficiency. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Engaged primarily in regional freight traffic on Lake Huron, particularly servicing routes between Port Huron and other commercial ports.
Final Disposition
- On October 28, 1890, Mackinaw caught fire beneath her boiler while at dock and caught well-alight. The crew and dock labourers pushed her away from the wharf to prevent damage to other vessels.
- She burned to a total loss while unloading corn cargo; entire hull destroyed and loss declared absolute. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- No life lost; crew successfully evacuated.
Notmars & Advisories
– No Notices to Mariners or hazard bulletins noted post-loss—likely because the wreck was dockside and removed after fire.
Importance & Context
- Highlights transition-era vessels adapting from side-wheel to propeller propulsion.
- Exemplifies risks of moored dock operations, especially boiler area fires under cargo-handling conditions.
- Reflects practices of pushing burning vessels away from docks to minimize collateral damage—a common response protocol at the time.
Research Gaps & Future Leads
- Newspaper archives (e.g., Port Huron Times-Herald, Oct 1890): may provide narrative of the fire, eyewitness accounts, and insurance details.
- Rice & Van Buskirk business records: possibly held in local museums or archives.
- Insurance underwriters’ reports: may offer insight into total loss valuation and aftermath decisions.
Key Sources & References
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – WordPress entry for “Mackinaw”: detailed summary noting fire under boiler, total loss at dock while unloading corn, owned by Rice & Van Buskirk, crew and dockmen push vessel off wharf (goderich.ca, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Keywords & Categories
Wooden steamer, propeller conversion, dockside fire, total burn, no casualties, Port Huron, Lake Huron freight trade
mackinaw-us-6958 1890-10-28 17:14:00