Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

V.H. Ketchum US 25908

Explore the remains of the V.H. Ketchum, a historic wooden freighter that caught fire in 1905 and now rests beached on Ile Parisienne.

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

[shotline_reference_links slug=”v-h-ketchum-us-25908″ title=”References & Links”]

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.

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.

Year Built: 1874, Marine City, Michigan
Official Number: 25908
Vessel Type: Wooden bulk freighter (propeller), later converted to barge
Builder: David Lester
Original Owner: Toledo & Saginaw Transportation Co., Toledo, OH
Dimensions: 233 ft × 40.7 ft × 23.1 ft
Tonnage: 1,660.49 gross / 1,369.18 net
Capacity: ~75,000 bushels
Propulsion & Machinery: Twin 36″ × 32″ steeple-compound engines (Samuel Hodge Works); one tubular boiler (10′5″ × 21′ @ 45#); 10′ diameter paddle wheel ([turn0search5])

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 ([turn0search5]).
  • 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.

Final Disposition

  • Date of Incident: 16 September 1905
  • Location: Ile Parisienne (Parsienne Island), northwest Sault Ste. Marie, Lake Superior
  • Cause of Loss: While under tow by steamer Nottingham enroute from Duluth to Cleveland with a cargo of iron ore, V.H. Ketchum caught fire. Crew beached her on the island where she burned to the waterline.
  • Casualties: Two crew members lost from a complement of nine
  • Wreck Status: Burned to the waterline, declared a total loss. The vessel remains beached; anchor and chain are preserved at Lake Superior State University

Wreck & Dive Notes

  • Condition: Remains are likely charred and structurally compromised; the hull’s lower portions may still be semi-intact.
  • Accessibility: Site located on the shore of Ile Parisienne—reachable via small boat; shallow conditions but require caution due to debris and fire damage.
  • Engagement Potential: Suitable for archaeological visit or dive/photo documentation in shallow nearshore waters.

Research Recommendations

  1. Contemporary Newspapers (Sept–Oct 1905):
    • Sault Ste. Marie Evening News, Cleveland Plain Dealer, and Duluth-area papers for fire accounts, rescue operations, and crew details.
  2. Tow & Harbor Logs:
    • Records from the tug Nottingham and port authorities in Sault Ste. Marie and Duluth could include voyage and incident documentation.
  3. Life-Saving & Fire Reports:
    • U.S. and Canadian marine rescue services may have logs on the crew’s rescue or attempts to control the blaze.
  4. Underwriters & Insurance Files:
    • Loss details, salvage cost, and wreck settlement found in Seither Transit (owner) or Lake Underwriters’ records.
  5. Ile Parisienne Conservation Reserves:
    • Lake Superior State University archives for anchor exhibit records; Ontario agencies may hold heritage documentation of the wreck site

Sources

  • Great Lakes Vessel History site: confirms fire and beaching by Nottingham on 16 Sept 1905
  • Ontario’s Ile Parisienne reserve statement: notes burning to waterline, beached remains
  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (WordPress “K” section): provides cause, casualties, owner details, and note of anchor preservation
  • Facebook historical post: cites specifics of crew complement and loss count

Summary

The V.H. Ketchum, a major wooden bulk freighter built in 1874, had a long service life until her final voyage on 16 September 1905. Under tow from Duluth and carrying iron ore, she caught fire, was beached on Ile Parisienne, and burned to the waterline. Two crew perished. Her remains are shallow and accessible, with anchor artifacts preserved ashore. Further archival research and an archaeological survey could reveal more about her last moments, crew, and structural remains.

v-h-ketchum-us-25908 1905-09-16 19:31:00