Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Salina
- Type: Steambarge
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder: Gallagher & Treman
- Dimensions: 130.8 ft (39.8 m); Beam: 25.7 ft (7.8 m); Depth of hold: 10.7 ft (3.3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 212 tons (old measurement); Net Tonnage: 146 tons
- Location: Roberts Landing, St. Clair River
- Official Number: 23106
- Original Owners: David Gallagher et al., Erie & Western Transportation Company, AuSable Transportation Company, J.C. Miller
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Salina was a wooden screw steambarge typical of the transitional cargo carriers of the mid-to-late 19th century, designed for hauling bulk cargo like lumber and coal throughout the Great Lakes. Her propulsion system, a screw propeller rather than sidewheels, reflected newer, more efficient steam technology for the era.
Description
The Salina was launched in 1866 at Marine City, Michigan, for David Gallagher and partners, entering service on the busy lower Great Lakes trade routes. Within weeks of launch on May 6, 1866, she grounded in the St. Clair River, but was repaired and returned to service.
History
By 1869, the Salina was operating under the Erie & Western Transportation Company of Erie, Pennsylvania, and remained an active cargo vessel for years. In 1882, she underwent significant rebuilding to extend her working life.
In 1884, Salina came under the ownership of the AuSable Transportation Company of AuSable, Michigan, continuing to carry bulk cargo on the Great Lakes. Ownership changed again in 1891 to J.C. Miller of Marine City, Michigan.
On June 12, 1895, Salina was involved in a collision with the schooner Lizzie A. Law off Bay City, Michigan, resulting in her sinking. Though raised, her working life was near an end.
On January 1, 1896, while laid up at Roberts Landing on the St. Clair River, the Salina caught fire and was destroyed. Her registration documents were formally surrendered on June 30, 1896.
Significant Incidents
- Grounded in the St. Clair River shortly after launch in 1866.
- Involved in a collision with the schooner Lizzie A. Law on June 12, 1895, leading to her sinking.
- Destroyed by fire while laid up at Roberts Landing on January 1, 1896.
Final Disposition
Destroyed by fire while laid up at Roberts Landing on January 1, 1896.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Presumed destroyed beyond recovery by the fire in 1896, no known remains are available for divers.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”salina-us-23106″ title=”References & Links”]
The Salina was a representative workhorse of the Great Lakes steambarge era, experiencing multiple ownership changes, a rebuilding, and several mishaps before her fiery end in 1896. Her story underscores the challenges of maintaining wooden steam vessels in a harsh environment and shifting economy of the late 19th century.
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: Salina
- Year Built: 1866
- Official Number: 23106
- Built at: Marine City, Michigan
- Vessel Type: Steambarge
- Hull Material: Wood
- Builder: Gallagher & Treman
- Original Owner: David Gallagher et al., Marine City, Michigan
- Propulsion: Screw
- Length: 130.8 feet (39.8 metres)
- Beam: 25.7 feet (7.8 metres)
- Depth: 10.7 feet (3.3 metres)
- Gross Tonnage: 212 tons (old measurement)
- Net Tonnage: 146 tons
Vessel Type Description
The Salina was a wooden screw steambarge typical of the transitional cargo carriers of the mid-to-late 19th century, designed for hauling bulk cargo like lumber and coal throughout the Great Lakes. Her propulsion system, a screw propeller rather than sidewheels, reflected newer, more efficient steam technology for the era.
History
- Launched in 1866 at Marine City, Michigan, for David Gallagher and partners, Salina entered service on the busy lower Great Lakes trade routes. Within weeks of launch on May 6, 1866, she grounded in the St. Clair River, but was repaired and returned to service.
- By 1869, the Salina was operating under the Erie & Western Transportation Company of Erie, Pennsylvania, and remained an active cargo vessel for years. In 1882, she underwent significant rebuilding to extend her working life.
- In 1884, Salina came under the ownership of the AuSable Transportation Company of AuSable, Michigan, continuing to carry bulk cargo on the Great Lakes. Ownership changed again in 1891 to J.C. Miller of Marine City, Michigan.
- On June 12, 1895, Salina was involved in a collision with the schooner Lizzie A. Law off Bay City, Michigan, resulting in her sinking. Though raised, her working life was near an end.
- On January 1, 1896, while laid up at Roberts Landing on the St. Clair River, the Salina caught fire and was destroyed. Her registration documents were formally surrendered on June 30, 1896.
Final Disposition
Destroyed by fire while laid up at Roberts Landing on January 1, 1896.
NOTMARs & Advisories
None noted.
Located By & Date
No modern archaeological discovery of wreckage has been documented.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Presumed destroyed beyond recovery by the fire in 1896, no known remains are available for divers.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships Database
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Archives of Ontario, marine registry
Conclusion
Salina was a representative workhorse of the Great Lakes steambarge era, experiencing multiple ownership changes, a rebuilding, and several mishaps before her fiery end in 1896. Her story underscores the challenges of maintaining wooden steam vessels in a harsh environment and shifting economy of the late 19th century.
Keywords
Salina, steambarge, St. Clair River, Marine City, wooden steamship, Great Lakes cargo, fire loss, 19th-century shipwreck