Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: R.N. RICE
- Type: Sidewheel Steamer / Schooner-Barge
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: Campbell & Owen, Detroit, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 238.7 ft (72.8 m); Beam: 32.6 ft (9.9 m); Depth of hold: 13.2 ft (4.0 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,096.94
- Location: 4 miles north of Holland, Michigan
- Coordinates: 42.8696, -86.2316
- Official Number: U.S. Official No. 21191
- Original Owners: Multiple owners including McGraw & Company, Bay City; operators in Buffalo and Chicago
- Number of Masts: Two masts after conversion
- Featured photo from the Brendon Baillod Collection
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Originally a sidewheel passenger steamer, later converted to a schooner-barge (wooden hull).
Description
The R.N. RICE was a pioneering passenger sidewheel steamer, significant as the third vessel in the Great Lakes fleet to feature steam radiator cabin heating. Built in 1867, she boasted an impressive vertical beam engine and twin return-flue boilers. Initially built for the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company, she served as a vital passenger and freight link between Detroit and Cleveland.
History
After replacing the CITY OF CLEVELAND on the Detroit–Cleveland route, the R.N. RICE quickly became a prominent vessel on Lake Erie. She experienced multiple incidents, including collisions with the ISLAND QUEEN and BUFFALO in 1871. In June 1877, she caught fire at Shelby Street in Detroit but was later salvaged and converted into a lumber barge.
Following her conversion, she operated in the lumber trade, fitted with two masts and large cargo capacity. Her ownership changed hands multiple times throughout the 1880s, including stints under the McGraw & Company of Bay City, and later by operators in Buffalo and Chicago. She also ran aground and suffered mechanical failures, such as losing her rudder in 1882.
Significant Incidents
- Collisions with ISLAND QUEEN and BUFFALO in 1871.
- Caught fire in June 1877 at Shelby Street, Detroit.
- Ran aground and lost her rudder in 1882.
Final Disposition
On September 30, 1888, while en route with a cargo of lumber, R.N. RICE sprang a leak 4 miles north of Holland, Michigan, on Lake Michigan. The crew abandoned ship and were rescued by the tow-propeller HURON CITY. The vessel drifted ashore and was declared a total loss. Her documents were officially surrendered on December 19, 1888.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No known modern recovery or dive documentation available. Presumed remains lost near Holland, Michigan.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”r-n-rice-us-21191″ title=”References & Links”]
The R.N. RICE represents a significant chapter in Great Lakes maritime history, showcasing the evolution of vessel design and the challenges faced by early steamers in the region.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →