Preston (harlow – Lake St. Clair Barge Shipwreck (1926)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Preston (Harlow)
• Type: Wooden Steambarge (later converted to a self-unloader sandsucker)
• Year Built: 1891
• Builder: Green Bay, Wisconsin
• Dimensions: Length: 193.7 ft (59 m); Beam: 35 ft (10.7 m); Depth of hold: 10.6 ft (3.2 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 575 tons
• Location: Middle Channel, near green #13 buoy
• Original Owners: P.F. Thrall, Cleveland Cedar Co., William J. Harlow, various owners in Detroit, Michigan
• Number of Masts: Single

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type: Wooden Steambarge (later converted to a self-unloader sandsucker)

Description

The Preston began its career as a wooden steambarge built in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 1891. It was designed for general cargo transport and was equipped with a reliable steeple compound engine.

History

Ownership Changes:

• 1893: Purchased by the Cleveland Cedar Co., Cleveland, Ohio.
• 1894: Ownership transferred to William J. Harlow and others in Toledo, Ohio.
• Over the years, the vessel changed ownership numerous times, including individuals and companies in Detroit, Michigan.

Significant Incidents

Significant Incidents:

• September 1894: Ran aground in the Hog Lake Canal, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Released with assistance from the tug Brockaway.
• 1899: Underwent a significant rebuild and lengthening in Toledo, Ohio, increasing its size and tonnage.
• June 29, 1901: Became waterlogged and abandoned in a gale on Lake Superior; later towed to Port Coldwell, Ontario.
• 1902: Rebuilt in Toledo, renamed Harlow, and continued operations with new owners.
• 1906: Stranded at the head of Fighting Island, near Detroit, Michigan.
• 1915: Converted into a self-unloading sandsucker, reflecting the evolving demands of Great Lakes shipping.

Final Disposition

Final Years and Disposition:

• 1926: The Harlow was scrapped due to wear and age.
• 1927: Official enrollment surrendered with the note “vessel abandoned-wore out.”

Final Fate:

• The hull was towed and intentionally sunk by a local individual, Mr. Sears, to create a breakwall near his property.
• The wreck is located on the edge of the Middle Channel, behind the green #13 buoy, near the Chene Highway.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Current Condition and Wreck Site:

Visibility: In low water conditions, portions of the wreck are partially exposed and can be easily seen from the surface.

Current Use: Serves as a breakwall, repurposed to protect local shoreline property.

Resources & Links

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The Harlow (formerly Preston) is a prime example of the adaptability and resilience of wooden steambarges during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its multiple rebuilds and conversions reflect the evolving needs of Great Lakes shipping, from cargo transport to specialized sandsucker operations. Its final use as a breakwall highlights a common end-of-life practice for aging wooden vessels.