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Traffic US 24506

Explore the history of the TRAFFIC, a sidewheel tug lost to fire in 1869 on the Saginaw River. A significant vessel in Great Lakes maritime history.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: TRAFFIC
  • Type: Sidewheel tug & upriver packet, wood
  • Year Built: 1853
  • Builder: O.V. Kelfferich, St. Clair, MI
  • Dimensions: 75 x 16 x 5 ft (22.86 x 4.88 x 1.52 m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: 50 tons
  • Location: Saginaw River, at Saginaw, MI
  • Official Number: 24506

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The TRAFFIC was classified as a sidewheel tug and upriver packet, primarily designed for towing and passenger transport on rivers.

Description

The TRAFFIC was a wooden vessel measuring 75 feet in length, with a beam of 16 feet and a depth of 5 feet, weighing 50 tons. Her design featured sidewheels, typical of river tugboats of that era, which were used for towing barges and vessels, as well as for passenger travel upriver.

Operating mainly in the Saginaw River region, the TRAFFIC played a vital role in connecting the port of Saginaw with the larger Lake Huron region, facilitating the movement of goods and passengers.

History

Built in 1853 by O.V. Kelfferich in St. Clair, MI, the TRAFFIC served as a tug and packet on the Saginaw River. In her later years, she was instrumental in navigating this key waterway.

Significant Incidents

  • On June 8, 1868, the TRAFFIC sank near Sebewaing, Michigan, but was later recovered.
  • On October 11, 1869, the TRAFFIC was destroyed by fire while operating on the Saginaw River at Saginaw, Michigan. The circumstances surrounding the fire remain unclear, but it led to her total loss.

Final Disposition

The TRAFFIC was lost to a fire on October 11, 1869, while on the Saginaw River. Although some records mistakenly indicate her loss occurred in Milwaukee, this appears to be an error. Fortunately, there were no significant reports of loss of life during the incident.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The TRAFFIC is confirmed lost, with no remaining structure visible. The site serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by wooden steam-powered vessels in the 19th century.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”traffic-us-24506″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The TRAFFIC exemplifies the challenges faced by 19th-century wooden steam-powered vessels, particularly in the busy waterways of the Great Lakes region. Her fire-related loss in 1869 marks the end of her story, but her earlier mishap and role as a tug and packet on the Saginaw River remain significant parts of her history.

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.

TRAFFIC – Identification & Site Information

  • Official No.: 24506
  • Type at Loss: Sidewheel tug & upriver packet, wood
  • Build Info: 1853, O.V. Kelfferich, St. Clair, MI
  • Specs: 75 x 16 x 5 ft, 50 tons
  • Date of Loss: 1869, Oct 11
  • Place of Loss: Saginaw River, at Saginaw, MI
  • Lake: Huron
  • Type of Loss: Fire

History and Description

The TRAFFIC was a sidewheel tug and upriver packet that operated primarily in the Saginaw River region. Built in 1853 by O.V. Kelfferich in St. Clair, MI, she was a wooden vessel measuring 75 feet in length, with a beam of 16 feetand a depth of 5 feet, weighing in at 50 tons. Her design, featuring sidewheels, was typical of river tugboats of that era, which were used for towing barges, vessels, and for passenger travel upriver.

In her later years, the TRAFFIC was primarily used as a tug and packet on the Saginaw River—a vital waterway connecting the port of Saginaw with the larger Lake Huron region. The vessel played an important role in moving goods and passengers along this key stretch of water.

Final Disposition

On October 11, 1869, the TRAFFIC was destroyed by fire while operating on the Saginaw River at Saginaw, Michigan. The circumstances surrounding the fire remain unclear, but it led to her total loss. In some records, her location is mistakenly given as Milwaukee, though this appears to be an error.

Interestingly, the TRAFFIC had previously experienced another incident. On June 8, 1868, the vessel sank near Sebewaing, Michigan, but she was later recovered. This earlier mishap did not lead to her final loss, but it likely contributed to the vessel’s continued struggle with maintaining service.

Notable Events and Current Status

The TRAFFIC‘s fate was sealed by the devastating fire in 1869, and there were no records of significant loss of life during the incident. The ship’s earlier wreck in 1868 near Sebewaing serves as an important marker in her history, demonstrating the vulnerability of wooden steam-powered vessels to both fire and navigational accidents.

Resources & Links

For additional information on the TRAFFIC and similar shipwrecks in the Saginaw River area, the following resources can provide further details:

  • Michigan Shipwrecks Database: Offers extensive records on vessels lost in Michigan’s rivers and lakes.
  • David Swayze Shipwreck File
  • Great Lakes Ships
  • Great Lakes Historical Society: A major resource for maritime history and shipwrecks of the Great Lakes region.
  • The Saginaw River Historical Society: Dedicated to the preservation and history of the river’s maritime activities.

Conclusion

The TRAFFIC represents an example of the struggles faced by 19th-century wooden steam-powered vessels, particularly those operating in the busy waterways of the Great Lakes region. While her fire-related loss in 1869 is the definitive end to her story, the vessel’s earlier mishap and role as a tug and packet on the Saginaw River remain important parts of her history.

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