Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Post Boy
- Type: Wooden propeller steamer
- Year Built: 1888
- Builder: F. Wheeler & G. Williams, West Bay City, MI
- Dimensions: 78 × 11 × 6 ft (24 × 3.4 × 1.8 m); Gross Tonnage: 124; Net: 81
- Registered Tonnage: 124
- Location: Holland, Michigan
- Official Number: 150428
- Original Owners: Macatawa Park Association
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller steamer configured for passengers and package freight.
Description
The Post Boy was a wooden propeller steamer built in 1888, primarily serving as a local excursion and freight vessel. It was operated by the Macatawa Park Association.
History
Operated by the Macatawa Park Association, the Post Boy gained attention in 1892 when it was stranded during a storm in the Chicago area while carrying excursionists.
Significant Incidents
- Stranded in a Chicago-area storm in 1892 while carrying excursionists.
Final Disposition
On August 8, 1905, while moored at Holland, MI, the vessel suffered a boiler-room explosion that ignited a fire, leading to its complete destruction. Fortunately, both crew members aboard escaped unharmed.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As the vessel burned at her mooring, there was no need for discovery; her loss was witnessed and recorded at the dock. No marine safety notices or hazards were issued posthumously.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”post-boy-us-150428″ title=”References & Links”]
The Post Boy had a notable service life as a Park Association steamer before her sudden destruction by boiler fire in August 1905. The incident was well documented and fortunate in yielding no loss of life.
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.
Post Boy (Built 1888 – Lost August 8, 1905)
Identification & Site Information
- Name: Post Boy
- Official number: 150428 (govinfo.gov, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Registry: United States
- Year built: 1888 by F. Wheeler & G. Williams, West Bay City, MI (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Vessel type: Wooden propeller steamer configured for passengers and package freight (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Dimensions: 78 × 11 × 6 ft (24 × 3.4 × 1.8 m); Gross Tonnage: 124; Net: 81 (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Date lost: August 8, 1905
- Location of loss: Docked at Holland, Michigan on Lake Michigan (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Loss type: Destroyed by a boiler-room fire
- Casualties: None of the two crew members aboard were lost (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Vessel History
Operated by the Macatawa Park Association, the Post Boy served as a local excursion and freight steamer. She drew attention in 1892 when stranded in a Chicago-area storm carrying excursionists (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
Final Dispositions
On August 8, 1905, while moored at Holland, MI, the vessel suffered a boiler-room explosion that quickly ignited a fire. The ship was completely destroyed; however, both crew members escaped unharmed .
Located By & Date Found
As she burned at her mooring, there was no need for discovery—her loss was witnessed and recorded at the dock.
Notmars & Advisories
No marine safety notices or hazards issued posthumously.
Conclusion
The Post Boy had a notable service life as a Park Association steamer before her sudden destruction by boiler fire in August 1905. The incident was well documented and fortunate in yielding no loss of life.
Keywords
Wooden steamer; boiler-room fire; dock disaster; Macatawa Park Association; Holland MI; Great Lakes excursion steamer.