Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Rhine
- Type: Small wooden motorized gas-screw tug
- Year Built: 1904
- Builder: Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: 37 × 10 × 5 ft
- Registered Tonnage: ~12 gross tons
- Location: Off the pier at Frankfort, Michigan
- Official Number: 203483
- Original Owners: Capt. H. F. Hanrath, Frankfort, MI
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Rhine was a small wooden motorized gas-screw tug, sometimes referred to as a packet or ‘fruit boat’, operating out of Frankfort, Michigan.
Description
Built in 1904, the Rhine measured approximately 37 feet in length, 10 feet in beam, and 5 feet in depth. It had a registered tonnage of around 12 gross tons.
History
The Rhine was likely employed as a small motorized packet or auxiliary tug. Seasonal storms on Lake Michigan could produce treacherously steep waves and cold conditions, which likely overwhelmed her small hull.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: 26 December 1908
- Location: Off the pier at Frankfort, Michigan (Lake Michigan), during a violent seasonal gale.
- Cause of Loss: Foundered in a storm, capsized or overwhelmed by waves near the pier.
- Casualties: All four crew members perished, with no survivors reported.
- Post-incident Notes: Some sources suggest the Rhine may have been recovered later, though no firm confirmation or record of salvage operations appears in secondary sources.
Final Disposition
The total loss of life (4 crew members) and reference to a possible recovery indicate that the storm impact destroyed most of the vessel, though salvage efforts may have taken place later.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No archaeological rediscovery or dive survey has been documented for the Rhine.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”rhine-us-203483″ title=”References & Links”]
The Rhine was a small gasoline-powered motor vessel that foundered in a severe gale on 26 December 1908, with all four crew lost. Some sources hint at possible recovery later, though no firm salvage record exists.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Rhine
- Official Registry Number: 203483
- Built: 1904 at Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Tonnage / Dimensions: ~12 gross tons; measured approximately 37 × 10 × 5 ft
- Vessel Type: Small wooden motorized gas-screw tug or packet (“fruit boat?”) out of Frankfort, Michigan (us-data.org, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Loss
- Date of Loss: 26 December 1908
- Location: Off the pier at Frankfort, Michigan (Lake Michigan), during a violent seasonal gale (us-data.org)
- Cause of Loss: Foundered in a storm, capsized or overwhelmed by waves near pier (us-data.org)
- Casualties: All four crew members perished, no survivors reported (Wikipedia)
- Post-incident Notes: Some sources suggest Rhine may have been recovered later, though no firm confirmation or record of salvage operations appears in secondary sources (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Rhine |
| Built | 1904, Manitowoc, WI |
| Size | ~12 GRT (37 × 10 × 5 ft) |
| Owner / Home Port | Capt. H. F. Hanrath, Frankfort, MI |
| Loss Date | 26 December 1908 |
| Loss Location | Off Frankfort pier entrance, Lake Michigan |
| Cause | Foundered in storm / capsized |
| Crew Fatalities | All 4 aboard lost |
| Recovery | Possibly raised later (unconfirmed) |
| Modern Rediscovery | None known |
Historical Context & Research Notes
- Rhine was likely employed as a small motorized packet or auxiliary tug out of Frankfort, Michigan. In winter months, seasonal storms on Lake Michigan could produce treacherously steep waves and cold conditions—factors that likely overwhelmed her small hull.
- The total loss of life (4 crew members) and reference to a possible recovery indicate the storm impact destroyed most of the vessel, though salvage efforts may have taken place later.
Further Research Avenues
Several gaps remain that can be investigated via primary sources:
- Local newspapers (Frankfort Crescent-News, Manistee Herald) from late December 1908 may contain detailed accounts—including crew identities, vessel description, or rescue attempts.
- U.S. Coast Guard or Customs station reports (Record Group 26/36 at National Archives Chicago) might include wreck or casualty records for Frankfort station for late 1908 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, National Archives, us-data.org).
- Port ledger or property records in Frankfort archives may document whether Rhine was salvaged or listed as recovered after the incident.
- Insurance ledgers or underwriters’ files could offer information about valuation and any claims filed if the vessel was reconstructed.
Conclusion
Rhine was a small gasoline-powered motor vessel built in 1904 and operated out of Frankfort, Michigan. She foundered in a severe gale on 26 December 1908, with all four crew lost, while navigating near Frankfort’s pier entrance. Some sources hint at possible recovery later, though no firm salvage record exists. No archaeological rediscovery or dive survey has been documented.
rhine-us-203483 1908-12-26 15:22:00