Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: St. Clair
- Type: Wooden Steamer
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Offshore near Port Huron, Lake Huron, Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The St. Clair was a wooden steamer operating on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Such vessels were commonly used for transporting passengers and freight between ports along the lakes. Their steam propulsion allowed for more reliable scheduling compared to sailing vessels, making them integral to commerce and travel in the region.
Description
Specific details regarding the construction, ownership, and operational history of the St. Clair are limited. However, as a steamer operating out of Port Huron, Michigan, it likely played a role in regional transportation and trade during its service life.
History
In October 1870, the St. Clair caught fire offshore near Port Huron, Michigan. The fire led to the vessel being burned to a total loss. No casualties were reported in the incident. The specific circumstances of the fire, including its origin and the events leading up to the loss, are not well-documented.
Significant Incidents
- October 1870: The St. Clair caught fire offshore near Port Huron, resulting in a total loss of the vessel.
Final Disposition
The exact location and condition of the St. Clair wreck remain undocumented in publicly available records. Given the time elapsed since its loss and the nature of its destruction by fire, it’s possible that remnants of the vessel have deteriorated or become buried under sediment. Further research or underwater exploration may be necessary to locate and assess the wreck site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The loss of the St. Clair underscores the risks faced by wooden steamers operating on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, particularly the threat of onboard fires. Such incidents contributed to the eventual transition to steel-hulled vessels, which offered greater fire resistance and structural integrity.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”st-clair” title=”References & Links”]
Sources:
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
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.
Shipwreck Report: Steamer St. Clair
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: St. Clair
- Type: Wooden Steamer
- Built: Date and builder unknown
- Construction: Wood
- Propulsion: Steam-powered
- Final Location: Offshore near Port Huron, Lake Huron, Michigan
- Date of Loss: October 1870
- Cause: Fire
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The St. Clair was a wooden steamer operating on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Such vessels were commonly used for transporting passengers and freight between ports along the lakes. Their steam propulsion allowed for more reliable scheduling compared to sailing vessels, making them integral to commerce and travel in the region.
HISTORY
Specific details regarding the construction, ownership, and operational history of the St. Clair are limited. However, as a steamer operating out of Port Huron, Michigan, it likely played a role in regional transportation and trade during its service life.
FINAL DISPOSITION
In October 1870, the St. Clair caught fire offshore near Port Huron, Michigan. The fire led to the vessel being burned to a total loss. No casualties were reported in the incident. The specific circumstances of the fire, including its origin and the events leading up to the loss, are not well-documented.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
The exact location and condition of the St. Clair wreck remain undocumented in publicly available records. Given the time elapsed since its loss and the nature of its destruction by fire, it’s possible that remnants of the vessel have deteriorated or become buried under sediment. Further research or underwater exploration may be necessary to locate and assess the wreck site.
NOTES
The loss of the St. Clair underscores the risks faced by wooden steamers operating on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, particularly the threat of onboard fires. Such incidents contributed to the eventual transition to steel-hulled vessels, which offered greater fire resistance and structural integrity.
Sources:
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)