Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Neptune
- Type: Wooden propeller steam bulk freighter
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder: V. Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo, NY
- Dimensions: 185 ft (56.4 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 774 gross tons
- Location: Emerson Bayou, Saginaw River, Michigan
- Official Number: US 18115
- Original Owners: Captain George Felcher, Saginaw, MI
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Neptune was a wooden propeller steam bulk freighter, designed for transporting goods across the Great Lakes.
Description
Built in 1856, the Neptune measured 185 feet in length and was registered at 774 gross tons. It was constructed by V. Bidwell & Banta in Buffalo, New York. The vessel was primarily used for bulk freight transport.
History
The Neptune had a service history typical of Great Lakes freighters of its time, engaging in trade and transport until its loss in 1874. At the time of its loss, it was owned by Captain George Felcher of Saginaw, Michigan.
Significant Incidents
- November 24, 1874: The Neptune caught fire in Emerson Bayou, a tributary of the Saginaw River. The fire was likely caused by a watchman’s lantern or stove, with indications suggesting possible deliberate destruction.
Final Disposition
The Neptune was declared a total loss as the fire consumed its wooden hull. The official registry documentation was surrendered at Port Huron on January 14, 1878.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Due to the destructive nature of the fire and possible scuttling, remnants of the Neptune are likely minimal, consisting of charcoal remnants, iron machinery fragments, or submerged boiler parts within silty bayou sediments. No modern surveys have documented the site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”neptune-us-18115″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Neptune serves as a significant case study in the hazards faced by wooden steamers in enclosed waterways, raising questions about economic motives and regulatory oversight in the maritime industry of the 19th century.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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