Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mary Pringle
- Type: Wooden propeller passenger & package freight steamer
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: Turner Shipyard, Trenton, Michigan
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Canadian bank of the St. Clair River
- Official Number: 90136
- Original Owners: Captain Thomas Currie of Port Huron, Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller steamer used for package freight and passenger service on the St. Clair River and adjacent Great Lakes.
Description
The Mary Pringle was a wooden propeller passenger and package freight steamer built in 1867. It was primarily used for transportation on the St. Clair River and the Great Lakes.
History
The vessel was constructed at Turner Shipyard in Trenton, Michigan. It had a long operational history, undergoing significant rebuilds in 1871 and 1883, which extended its service life.
Significant Incidents
- Incident: Caught fire while moored at the Sandborn Lumber Company dock in Port Huron, Michigan, on August 7, 1893. Both the captain and chief engineer were ashore, leaving the vessel unattended.
- The vessel was cut loose to prevent damage to the dock and nearby grain elevator, drifting downriver before burning to a total loss on the Canadian bank of the St. Clair River.
- Casualties: None; there were no individuals on board at the time of the fire.
Final Disposition
The Mary Pringle burned completely and was abandoned after the incident. The fire was a significant event in the local maritime history, illustrating the risks associated with dockside operations.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Mary Pringle is located on the Canadian bank of the St. Clair River. Current conditions of the wreck are not documented, and accessibility may vary.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mary-pringle-us-90136″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Mary Pringle on August 7, 1893, serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by vessels during their service. The vessel’s history, including its rebuilds and eventual destruction, highlights the challenges of maritime operations in the Great Lakes region.
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 1867; lost August 7, 1893, Wooden propeller passenger & package freight steamer
Vessel Identity & Specifications
- Built: 1867 at Turner Shipyard, Trenton, Michigan
- Official Number: 90136
- Type: Wooden propeller steamer used for package freight and passenger service on the St. Clair River and adjacent Great Lakes
- Registered Owner & Master: Captain Thomas Currie of Port Huron, Michigan
(Links to the Past, Wikipedia, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Loss — August 7, 1893
- Incident: While moored at the Sandborn Lumber Company dock in Port Huron, Michigan, the Mary Pringle caught fire. Notably, both the captain and the chief engineer were ashore, so no one was aboard to battle the flames.
- In an effort to save the dock and nearby grain elevator, the vessel was cut loose and allowed to drift downriver. She burned to a total loss on the Canadian bank of the St. Clair River.
- Casualties: None—no one on board at the time
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Mary Pringle |
| Built | 1867, Trenton, MI (Turner) |
| Official Number | 90136 |
| Type | Wood-propeller steamer (passenger/package freight) |
| Owner/Master | Capt. Thomas Currie, Port Huron, MI |
| Loss Date | August 7, 1893 |
| Loss Location | Fire at Sandborn Lumber dock; drifted to Canadian bank of St. Clair River |
| Cause of Loss | Dockside fire while unattended vessel |
| Fatalities | None |
| Final Disposition | Burned completely; total abandonment |
Context & Historical Significance
- According to Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Mary Pringle was tied at the Sandborn Lumber dock when the fire began and was cut loose to safeguard the dock and grain facility—a common practice in portside fire emergencies.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia) - Later vessel histories note she had been rebuilt in 1871 and 1883, indicating she had a long career before her destruction in 1893.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Research Opportunities & Leads
- Port Huron newspapers (late August 1893)—Port Huron Times, Detroit Free Press, etc., for coverage of the fire, crew quotes, and descriptions of property damage.
- Insurance or underwriters’ records—filed under Official No. 90136—likely contain claims, vessel valuation, and cargo/environmental details.
- Company or port authority logs—related to the Sandborn Lumber Company or dock operations, which may provide insight into dock facilities, damage, and firefighting response.
- Ship registry and rebuild records—the 1871 and 1883 rebuilds indicate past losses or refits worth exploring in maritime archives.
Conclusion
Mary Pringle, built in 1867 and operating out of Port Huron, was destroyed by fire on August 7, 1893, while uncrewed at her mooring at the Sandborn Lumber dock. She was cut loose to protect adjacent structures and burned to total loss on the Canadian bank of the St. Clair River. No casualties were involved. The vessel had undergone substantial rebuilds before her final demise, highlighting her lengthy service life and multiple refit episodes.
mary-pringle-us-90136 1893-08-07 11:40:00