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R.A. Seymour Jr. US 110672

Explore the history of the R.A. Seymour Jr., a wooden steambarge that played a significant role in the Great Lakes lumber trade before its sinking in 1924.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: R.A. Seymour, Jr.
  • Type: Wooden Steambarge
  • Year Built: 1882
  • Builder: Rand & Burger, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
  • Dimensions: Length: 110.1 ft (33.5 m); Beam: 22.75 ft (6.9 m); Depth of hold: 7.7 ft (2.3 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 131.46 GT
  • Location:
  • Official Number: 110672
  • Original Owners: Various owners including Frederick, Elwin & R.A. Seymour; Charles T. Wright; Otter Creek Lumber Co.; George C. Conroe; Fowler J. Preston; Wisconsin Chair Co.; E.E. Dove & William J. Gorman; Chicago Lighterage Co.

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The R.A. Seymour, Jr. was classified as a wooden steambarge, primarily utilized in the lumber trade on the Great Lakes.

Description

Built in 1882 by Rand & Burger in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the R.A. Seymour, Jr. was a wooden steambarge measuring 110.1 feet in length, with a beam of 22.75 feet and a depth of 7.7 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 131.46 GT and a cargo capacity of 250,000 board feet of lumber. The vessel was powered by a high-pressure, single-cylinder engine manufactured by Sherriff’s Manufacturing Co., Milwaukee, WI, and was propelled by a screw (propeller-driven) system.

History

The R.A. Seymour, Jr. was a significant player in the Lake Michigan lumber trade, with ownership changing hands multiple times throughout its operational history. It was enrolled at Grand Haven, Michigan, on April 10, 1883, and had various owners including Frederick, Elwin & R.A. Seymour, Charles T. Wright, and the Otter Creek Lumber Co. The vessel was laid up in December 1912, marking the end of its active service.

Significant Incidents

  • 1890, May 17: Ashore near Frankfort, MI (refloated and repaired).
  • 1894, October: Severely damaged in a collision with steambarge Mary Mills off Port Washington in fog. Repaired in Sheboygan, WI.
  • 1895, June: Received a second-hand engine & boiler; rebuilt at Philbrook’s Yard.

Final Disposition

In December 1912, the R.A. Seymour, Jr. was sold and laid up, ending its commercial service. On May 6, 1924, it was abandoned and sunk, with the exact location of the wreckage remaining unknown.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No confirmed modern discovery of wreckage has been reported, and there are no known navigational hazards related to this vessel.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”r-a-seymour-jr-us-110672″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The R.A. Seymour, Jr. was a hardworking Great Lakes steambarge that played a key role in the lumber trade for over 30 years. Despite multiple owners, groundings, and collisions, she remained in service until 1912, when she was laid up. Her final fate was abandonment and sinking in 1924, making her one of the many lost wooden steamers of the Great Lakes.

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.

Steambarge R.A. Seymour, Jr. (1882)

Identification & Site Information

  • Name: R.A. Seymour, Jr.
  • Other Names: None
  • Official Number: 110672
  • Vessel Type at Loss: Wooden Steambarge
  • Builder: Rand & Burger, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
  • Year Built & Launched: 1882
  • Built on the Bottom of: Lewis Gilbert (1876) (suggesting she was rebuilt from or incorporated parts of an earlier vessel)
  • Specifications: Length: 110.1 ft (33.5 m) Beam: 22.75 ft (6.9 m) Depth: 7.7 ft (2.3 m)
  • Gross Tonnage: 131.46 GT
  • Net Tonnage: 103.8 NT
  • Cargo Capacity: 250,000 board feet of lumber
  • Power & Propulsion Propulsion Type: Screw (propeller-driven steambarge)
  • Engine Type: High-pressure, single-cylinder Cylinder Size: 14.5″ x 18″
  • Engine Manufacturer: Sherriff’s Manufacturing Co., Milwaukee, WI
  • Boiler: 6.5′ x 13′ firebox boiler

Ownership & Service History

The R.A. Seymour, Jr. was a Great Lakes lumber steamer, operating primarily in the Lake Michigan lumber trade. Her ownership changed several times throughout her career:

  • 1883, April 10: Enrolled at Grand Haven, Michigan.
  • 1885, May 26: Owned by Frederick, Elwin & R.A. Seymour, based in Chicago, IL & Manistee, MI.
  • 1887, September 5: Sold to Charles T. Wright, Racine, WI.
  • 1888, September 5: Purchased by Otter Creek Lumber Co., Racine (Charles Wright, president).
  • 1889, December 21: Acquired by George C. Conroe, Racine, WI.
  • 1892, April 23: Sold to Fowler J. Preston, St. Joseph, MI.
  • 1893, May 16: Owned by Wisconsin Chair Co., Port Washington, WI.
  • 1907, February 13: Purchased by E.E. Dove & William J. Gorman, Chicago, IL.
  • 1907, November 6: Owned by Chicago Lighterage Co. (William Gorman, president).
  • 1912, December 9: Sold and laid up, marking the end of her active service.

Notable Incidents & Repairs

  • 1890, May 17: Ashore near Frankfort, MI (refloated and repaired).
  • 1894, October: Severely damaged in a collision with steambarge Mary Mills off Port Washington in fog. Repaired in Sheboygan, WI.
  • 1895, June: Received a second-hand engine & boiler; rebuilt at Philbrook’s Yard.

Final Disposition

1912: Sold and laid up, ending her commercial service. May 6, 1924: Abandoned and sunk (exact location unknown).

Located By & Date Found

No confirmed modern discovery of wreckage.

Notmars & Advisories

No known modern navigational hazards related to this vessel.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The R.A. Seymour, Jr. was a hardworking Great Lakes steambarge, playing a key role in the lumber trade for over 30 years. Despite multiple owners, groundings, and collisions, she remained in service until 1912, when she was laid up. Her final fate was abandonment and sinking in 1924, making her one of the many lost wooden steamers of the Great Lakes.

r-a-seymour-jr-us-110672 1924-05-06 07:55:00