Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: South Eastern
- Type: Possibly small wooden freighter or barge
- Year Built: Likely 1881
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Not specified
- Official Number: Not located in standard shipping registries
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
South Eastern is described as possibly a small wooden freighter or barge, though the exact type remains unconfirmed.
Description
The vessel was likely built in 1881 and is noted for its wooden construction. Specific details regarding its dimensions and registered tonnage are not available.
History
The South Eastern had a service history that suggests operations in the mid-Great Lakes region. However, detailed records of its ownership and operational history are scarce.
Significant Incidents
- June 1897: The South Eastern suffered a severe fire that resulted in the upper structures being burned off and the hull sustaining heavy damage.
Final Disposition
The vessel was left in a heavily burned state and was deemed a total loss. There are no records of salvage, scrapping, or sinking, and it is unclear what ultimately happened to the wreck, though it likely faced dismantling or abandonment.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No modern wreck site record, dive report, or sonar survey confirms the remains of the South Eastern. It is currently unlocated.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”south-eastern-1881″ title=”References & Links”]
Further archival research may uncover more information about the South Eastern, including its construction details, the circumstances surrounding the fire, and potential wreck remains if it was abandoned in shallow waters.
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: South Eastern
- Built: Likely 1881 (based on Shipwreck Files notes)
- Vessel Type: Possibly small wooden freighter or barge (exact type unconfirmed)
- Official Number: Not located in standard shipping registries
Final Voyage & Loss
- Date: June 1897 (approximate)
- Incident: Suffered a severe fire—upper structures burned off and hull heavily damaged
- Location: Not specified (length of service suggests operations in mid‑Great Lakes region)
- Casualties: None documented in available summaries
Final Disposition
The vessel was left in a heavily burned state, deemed a total loss. There are no records of salvage, scrapping, or sinking—unstated what followed, but likely dismantling or abandonment.
Located By & Date Found
Nil return. No modern wreck site record, dive report, or sonar survey confirms its remains.
Notations & Advisories
No navigational warnings or chart markers reference this wreck. The loss appears to have affected only the vessel—not disrupting commercial traffic or navigation lanes.
Recommended Next Steps
To uncover more about South Eastern, here are key archival paths:
- Port Fire Records:
Investigate June 1897 harbour logs in ports like Toledo, Cleveland, Detroit, or Chicago—frequent sites of freighter fires—to find official incident reports or fire brigade logs. - Newspaper Searches (June–July 1897):
Focus on regional papers (e.g., Toledo Blade, Detroit Free Press, Chicago Tribune) for coverage of local shipping fires involving unidentified small freighters or barges. - Insurance & Underwriter Files:
Maritime insurance archives may record a June 1897 fire loss of a vessel named South Eastern. Such files often include dimensions, ownership, and outcome details. - Registry Lookups:
Search U.S. and Canadian ship registers circa 1880s–90s for “South Eastern” or similar name variants with fire-loss notes.
Summary
South Eastern, a presumed 1881-built wooden cargo barge or small freighter, caught fire in June 1897, losing her upperworks and nearly sinking—but with no casualties. Documentation is limited and location unknown. Further archival digging could reveal build data, fire details, and potential wreck remains if abandoned in shallow water.
south-eastern-1881 1897-06-15 10:47:00