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.
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
- Built: 1856 by V. Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo, NY
- Specs: 185 ft length × 30 ft beam × 11 ft depth; 774 gross tons (manitouislandsarchives.org)
- Type: Wooden propeller steam bulk freighter
- Registered Owner at Loss: Captain George Felcher, Saginaw, MI (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Loss Details
- Date: November 24, 1874
- Location: Burned in Emerson Bayou, a tributary of the Saginaw River, Michigan (manitouislandsarchives.org, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Cargo/Crew: Not carrying cargo; no crew casualties (“none”) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Cause: Fire likely sparked by a watchman’s lantern or stove; indications suggest deliberate destruction (“profitably disposed of”) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Disposition
- Declared a total loss as the fire consumed the wooden hull.
- Official Registry: Documentation surrendered at Port Huron on January 14, 1878 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Site Condition & Archaeological Context
Given the destructive nature of fire and likely scuttling, remnants would be minimal—possibly charcoal remnants, iron machinery fragments, or submerged boiler parts within silty bayou sediments. No documented modern surveys exist.
Research Gaps & Actionable Steps
| Topic | Proposed Action |
|---|---|
| Ownership Records | Investigate Captain Felcher’s registry and insurance files in Saginaw archives. |
| Local Press Coverage | Examine Saginaw and Bay City newspapers (Nov–Dec 1874) for reports, eyewitnesses, or insurance valuation. |
| Fire Origin | Seek legal or captain’s inquiry documents to confirm whether the fire was accidental or intentional. |
| Salvage or Site Survey | Conduct low-tech sediment coring in Emerson Bayou near the moorage site to test for metal debris. |
| Registry Documentation | Acquire tender for Port Huron’s surrendered documents (Jan 14, 1878) to understand final disposition rationale. |
Summary Snapshot
- Name: Neptune
- Built: 1856, Buffalo
- Type: Wooden propeller steam bulk freighter
- Loss: Burned to the waterline Nov 24, 1874, Emerson Bayou, Saginaw River
- Crew: Survived; none reported lost
- Disposition: Burned hull, registry closed in Jan 1878
- Condition: Likely pulverized; potential subsurface debris
- Significance: A rare instance of a deliberate or accidental fire loss in a tributary, offering insight into steamboat hazards and salvage practices.
Significance & Research Value
- Highlights fire risks aboard wooden steamers in enclosed waterways and small docking sites.
- Raises questions about economic motives and regulatory oversight—particularly if intentional scuttling occurred.
- Even minimal archaeological remnants could inform on structural layouts, machinery, and steamboat mooring practices in 19th-century Saginaw River commerce.