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.

Identification & Site Information:

• Vessel Name: H.C. SPRAGUE (later renamed RELIANCE, then LYON, NELLIE)
• Type: Wooden-hulled barge (later converted to schooner-barge, then screw-propelled sand dredge)
• Built: 1880, South Rockwood, Michigan, by Captain Peter Smith
• Dimensions:
  • Original:
    • 145.4 feet (44.3 meters) length
    • 29.9 feet (9.1 meters) beam
    • 9 feet (2.7 meters) depth
  • Post-Reconstruction:
    • 146 feet (44.5 meters) length
    • 30 feet (9.1 meters) beam
    • 9.3 feet (2.8 meters) depth
• Tonnage:
  • Original: 316 gross tons, 300 net tons
  • After Reconstruction: 480 gross tons, later reduced to 384 gross tons
• Final Resting Place: North Channel of the St. Clair River, near Algonac, Michigan
• Depth: Shallow; parts of the wreck, including the propeller and rudder, are visible above the riverbed.

Vessel Type Description:

The H.C. SPRAGUE was originally built as a wooden barge with a single deck, designed for transporting bulk cargo. Over time, it underwent several transformations:

• In 1892, it was converted into a two-masted schooner-barge to better suit the needs of the evolving Great Lakes trade.
• •In 1905, it was reconstructed into a screw-propelled sand dredge, emphasizing its adaptability for industrial applications such as dredging sand for construction and infrastructure projects.

History:

The H.C. SPRAGUE had a dynamic operational history, reflecting the versatility required of vessels on the Great Lakes:

• 1880: Built in South Rockwood, Michigan, for Milan & Sprague of Toledo, Ohio.
• 1892: Rebuilt into a schooner-barge by Bailey Brothers in Toledo.
• 1905: Ownership transferred to H.D. Clow of Duluth, Minnesota, and later that year, it was converted into a sand dredge by William Nicholson.
• 1906: Renamed RELIANCE, continuing its service under this name until its sinking in the St. Clair River in 1909.

Final Dispositions:

• Sinking and Salvage:
  • On December 10, 1909, the RELIANCE was damaged by ice and sank in the St. Clair River.
  • The wreck was salvaged by Oscar E. Fleming of Windsor, Ontario, and repaired at S. Jenkins Shipyard, Windsor.
  • Registered under the Canadian flag as LYON, NELLIE, with the registration number C126229.
• Fire and Total Loss:
  • On April 9, 1911, the LYON, NELLIE caught fire while docked in Algonac, Michigan, and was completely destroyed.

Current Condition & Accessibility:

• The wreckage of the LYON, NELLIE lies in the North Channel of the St. Clair River, near Algonac.
• The wreck is positioned sideways across the channel, with parts such as the top half of the propeller and rudder visible.
• The site is in shallow water, making it accessible for observation and study.

Discovery:

The remains of the LYON, NELLIE were rediscovered in 2005 during a search by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for lake sturgeon habitats. The wreck has since become a point of interest for both historical and ecological studies.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

Conclusion:

The story of the H.C. SPRAGUE (later RELIANCE and LYON, NELLIE) exemplifies the adaptability and challenges of Great Lakes vessels during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its various transformations, from barge to schooner-barge to sand dredge, reflect the evolving demands of maritime commerce and industry. The fiery end of the LYON, NELLIE in 1911 and its rediscovery nearly a century later serve as a reminder of the resilience and enduring legacy of these vessels in Great Lakes history.

 

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