V.H. Ketchum – Lake Superior Barge Shipwreck (1905)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: V.H. Ketchum
• Type: Wooden bulk freighter (propeller), later converted to barge
• Year Built: 1874
• Builder: David Lester
• Dimensions: 233 ft × 40.7 ft × 23.1 ft
• Registered Tonnage: 1,660.49 gross / 1,369.18 net
• Location: Ile Parisienne, northwest Sault Ste. Marie
• Official Number: 25908
• Original Owners: Toledo & Saginaw Transportation Co.
• Number of Masts: None (converted to barge)

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type: Wooden bulk freighter (propeller), later converted to barge

Description

The V.H. Ketchum was a significant wooden bulk freighter built in 1874. Initially launched as a schooner, she was completed as a propeller steamer and was the largest vessel on the Great Lakes at the time of her launch. The vessel was constructed by David Lester in Marine City, Michigan, and was primarily used for transporting grain, coal, and ore.

History

Chronology & Operational History:

• 5 July 1874: Maiden trial trip; at launch, she was the largest vessel on the Great Lakes. Initially laid as a schooner but finished as a propeller steamer.
• 13 July 1874: Enrolled at Toledo; served grain, coal, and ore trades, often towing barges like J.H. Rutter.
• 1878: Underwent repairs in Milwaukee.
• 9 June 1879: Ran aground in the St. Clair River.
• 1880–1890s: Experienced multiple groundings, repairs, and significant rebuilds; rig changes included boiler relocations and upgraded engines (notably in 1889 with triple-expansion machinery by Erie Boiler Works).
• 1904: Converted to an unrigged barge in Algonac, Michigan.

Significant Incidents

Significant Incidents:

• 16 September 1905: Caught fire while under tow by the steamer Nottingham en route from Duluth to Cleveland with a cargo of iron ore. The crew beached her on Ile Parisienne, where she burned to the waterline. Two crew members were lost from a complement of nine.

Final Disposition

Final Disposition: The V.H. Ketchum was declared a total loss after burning to the waterline. The vessel remains beached on Ile Parisienne, with her anchor and chain preserved at Lake Superior State University.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Current Condition & Accessibility: The remains of the V.H. Ketchum are likely charred and structurally compromised, with the hull’s lower portions possibly still semi-intact. The site is located on the shore of Ile Parisienne and is reachable via small boat. Caution is advised due to debris and fire damage. The site is suitable for archaeological visits or dive/photo documentation in shallow nearshore waters.

Resources & Links

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The V.H. Ketchum had a long service life until her final voyage on 16 September 1905. Her remains are shallow and accessible, with artifacts preserved ashore. Further archival research and an archaeological survey could reveal more about her last moments, crew, and structural remains.