Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Redmond Prindiville
- Type: Steambarge
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: Linn & Craig, Gibraltar, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length 147.6 ft (45 m); Beam 28 ft (8.5 m); Depth of hold 10.4 ft (3.2 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 246.15 tons
- Location: Near Oscoda, Michigan
- Official Number: 21192
- Original Owners: Joseph Nicholson, Erie & Western Transportation Company, Anchor Line, Thomas D. Allen
- Number of Masts: 1
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Steambarge (Note: No cabin; round stern)
Description
The Redmond Prindiville was a wooden steambarge launched in 1867, designed primarily for towing and bulk cargo transport on the Great Lakes. It featured a screw-driven propulsion system powered by an engine from Detroit Locomotive Works.
History
1867: The Redmond Prindiville was launched on April 18, 1867, and enrolled in Detroit by May 8. 1869: The vessel sank in Bay City, Michigan, on Lake Huron but was raised and overhauled in April 1871. By April 1, 1872, it was owned by the Erie & Western Transportation Company of Erie, Pennsylvania. October 4, 1872: The vessel was involved in a notorious incident while towing a flotilla of schooners during a severe gale, leading to the sinking of the White Squall and the loss of seven crew members.
Significant Incidents
- Collision in Tow (1872): On October 4, 1872, while towing a flotilla, the Redmond Prindiville encountered a severe gale, causing a collision between the Libbie Nau and the White Squall, resulting in the sinking of the latter and the loss of seven crew members.
Final Disposition
The Redmond Prindiville was declared a total loss after stranding on Au Sable Reef during a storm on May 10, 1882. The vessel’s documentation was surrendered in Detroit on June 30, 1882. Although the hull was lost, the engine was salvaged in July 1882.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Redmond Prindiville likely remains in Lake Huron, contributing to the region’s maritime history. The Au Sable Reef is noted as a navigational hazard, and caution is advised for mariners in the area.
Resources & Links
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The story of the Redmond Prindiville exemplifies the challenges faced by maritime operations on the Great Lakes. Despite its loss, the vessel’s legacy continues to be a part of Lake Huron’s rich shipwreck history.
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