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.
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.
Identification & Site Information –
- Name: R.N. RICE
- Former Names: None
- Registration Number(s): U.S. Official No. 21191
- Date Built & Launched: Launched October 29, 1866; completed 1867
- Builder: Campbell & Owen, Detroit, Michigan (Hull No. 20)
- Measurements:
- Length: 238.7 ft (72.8 m)
- Beam: 32.6 ft (9.9 m)
- Depth: 13.2 ft (4.0 m)
- Gross Tonnage: 1,096.94
- Date Lost: September 30, 1888
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.
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.
Located By & Date Found
No known modern recovery or dive documentation available. Presumed remains lost near Holland, Michigan.
Notmars & Advisories
- Not marked on current charts as a navigational hazard
- Wreck is not identified among recreational dive sites
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Maritime Database – BGSU
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Shipwreck File – David Swayze Collection
- Approximate Site on Map
Suggested Keywords, Categories & Glossary
Keywords: R.N. RICE, sidewheel steamer, schooner barge, Holland Michigan shipwreck, lumber trade, Great Lakes conversions
Category: Wooden Propeller Steamers / Schooner Barges / 19th Century
Glossary:
- Sidewheel Steamer: A steamship propelled by paddle wheels on each side
- Vertical Beam Engine: A type of steam engine with a vertically mounted beam and piston
- Schooner-Barge: A barge rigged with schooner sails, often converted from steamers
- Surrendered Documents: The official process of de-registering a vessel after total loss
Let me know if you’d like this added to a master chart or compiled into a regional wreck dive index.