Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Phil Sheridan US 20301

Explore the wreck of the Phil Sheridan, a wooden steambarge lost to fire in Lake Erie in 1875. Discover its history and the circumstances of its tragic end.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Phil Sheridan
  • Type: Wooden steambarge
  • Year Built: 1867
  • Builder: J.P. Clark, Detroit, Michigan
  • Dimensions: 160.4 ft (48.9 m); Beam: 31.9 ft (9.7 m); Depth of hold: 11.5 ft (3.5 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 710.9 gt
  • Location: ~30-35 miles (48-56 km) west of Buffalo, New York
  • Official Number: 20301
  • Original Owners: Duncan Stewart & Co., J.M. Nicol, Ward’s Central & Pacific Lake Co.

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Phil Sheridan was a wooden steambarge characterized by a plain head and round stern, designed for heavy cargo transport across the Great Lakes.

Description

Built on September 25, 1867, in Detroit, Michigan, by master carpenter J.P. Clark, the Phil Sheridan was a significant vessel of its time, measuring 160.4 feet in length and capable of carrying approximately 25,000 bushels of cargo.

History

The Phil Sheridan began service in Detroit shortly after its construction. It had a tumultuous history, including a collision with the tug Senecz in 1868, which resulted in its sinking and subsequent repairs. The vessel underwent several ownership changes and repairs due to fire damage before its final loss.

Significant Incidents

  • 1868: Collided with and sank the tug Senecz on the Detroit River; promptly repaired.
  • 1871: Suffered fire damage at Bay City, Michigan; repaired afterward.
  • 1875 (October): Went ashore at Saint Point (likely Saint Clair Point), Lake Superior.
  • 1875 (November 30): Caught fire in the boiler room during a voyage from Buffalo to Detroit, leading to its complete loss.

Final Disposition

The Phil Sheridan was lost on November 30, 1875, in Lake Erie after a fire consumed the vessel. The wreck is believed to rest in deep water, with no known remains or salvage efforts documented.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As the Phil Sheridan was consumed by fire and sunk in deep open water, no known remains, salvage, or dive sites exist. The wreck likely rests in deep Lake Erie, with debris scattered and unrecoverable.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”phil-sheridan-us-20301″ title=”References & Links”]

The loss of the Phil Sheridan serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by steam-powered vessels in the 19th century. Despite its substantial size and cargo capacity, the vessel’s career ended abruptly due to a catastrophic fire.

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.

SHERIDAN, PHIL (1867)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Phil Sheridan (as registered; often referred simply as Sheridan, Phil)
  • Official Number: 20 301
  • Type: Wooden steambarge (steam barge), plain head and round stern
  • Built: 25 September 1867, Detroit, Michigan — Master carpenter J.P. Clark
  • Original Owner: Duncan Stewart & Co., Detroit
  • Propulsion & Engineering
    • Engine: Single-cylinder high-pressure steam engine: 24½″ × 28″, manufactured by Detroit Locomotive Works
    • Boiler: One 7½′ × 17′ tubular boiler, same manufacturer
    • Propulsion: Likely twin side paddles or single screw, typical of steamboats of this class
  • Dimensions & Capacity
    • Length: 160.4 ft (48.9 m)
    • Beam: 31.9 ft (9.7 m)
    • Depth: 11.5 ft (3.5 m)
    • Gross Tonnage: 710.9 gt
  • Cargo Capacity: ~25,000 bushels
  • Final Disposition

History & Chronology

  • 1867: Enrolled and began service in Detroit
  • 1868 (Oct 25): Collided with and sank the tug Senecz on the Detroit River; promptly repaired
  • 1870 (Apr): Underwent repairs
  • 1871 (Nov): Fire damage at Bay City, Michigan — repaired afterward
  • 1873 (May): Ownership transferred to J.M. Nicol, Detroit
  • 1874 (May): Sold to Ward’s Central & Pacific Lake Co., Detroit
  • 1875 (Oct): Went ashore at Saint Point (likely Saint Clair Point), Lake Superior
  • 1875 (Nov 30): Burned and destroyed on Lake Erie
  • 1875 (Dec 31): Registry surrendered in Detroit; officially listed as destroyed (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)

Wreck Site & Condition

The Phil Sheridan was consumed by fire and sunk in deep open water; no known remains, salvage, or dive sites exist. The wreck likely rests in deep Lake Erie, with debris scattered and unrecoverable.

Notmars & Navigational Advisories

No official Notices to Mariners or charted warnings reference this wreck; it was lost before systematic charting in the region.

Conclusion

The Phil Sheridan was a substantial wooden steambarge—over 160 ft in length, carrying tens of thousands of bushels of cargo—built for heavy service across the lakes. Despite multiple repairs from collision and fire, its career ended abruptly in November 1875 when a boiler-room inferno consumed the vessel mid-Lake Erie. None of the structure remains, but its dramatic end highlights the inherent danger of steam-powered shipping in the era.

Keywords & Categories

Steambarge • Lake Erie • Boiler-room fire • Salt cargo • Detroit-built • 19th-century steam commerce • deep-water loss • collision & repair history (linkstothepast.com)

phil-sheridan-us-20301 1875-11-30 12:28:00