Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Preston’s Store Boat
- Type: Bumboat (small retail/service vessel)
- Year Built: 1932
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Huron
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Preston’s Store Boat was a small bumboat, essentially a floating retail shop supplying goods directly to other ships, marinas, or lakeside customers. These vessels were common on the Great Lakes during the early 20th century, providing groceries, hardware, and other daily needs in remote areas.
Description
Built in 1932, the vessel was operated as a travelling store, delivering or selling supplies to boaters, fishermen, and isolated shoreline customers. On August 10, 1934, while operating in Lake Huron, Preston’s Store Boat experienced a sudden and unexplained explosion. The vessel quickly sank following the blast.
Contemporary reports disagreed on the exact number of crew or passengers lost; some sources state there were fatalities, while others suggest the loss of life was minimal or none. The nature of bumboats, carrying flammable goods such as kerosene, cooking fuels, and other general merchandise, could have contributed to the severity of the explosion.
History
The vessel was destroyed and lost on the bottom of Lake Huron. There is no record of salvage.
Significant Incidents
- Explosion on August 10, 1934, leading to the sinking of the vessel.
- Conflicting reports on the number of casualties; some sources indicate fatalities while others suggest no loss of life.
Final Disposition
The vessel was destroyed and lost on the bottom of Lake Huron. There is no record of salvage.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Presumed destroyed by the explosion, no survey or dive assessment exists to date.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”prestons-store-boat-1932″ title=”References & Links”]
Preston’s Store Boat is a rare example of the Great Lakes “bumboat” trade and highlights the hazards faced by these small, often lightly built service craft. Its loss is a reminder of the dangers of transporting mixed retail goods, including flammables, on inland waters.
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