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
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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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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