Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Vanderbilt (1873)

Explore the wreck of the Vanderbilt, a wooden steambarge lost to fire in 1882 near Serpent Island, Lake Huron. All crew members survived the incident.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Vanderbilt
  • Type: Steambarge
  • Year Built: 1873
  • Builder: J. Simpson, Chatham, Ontario
  • Dimensions: 92 ft (28.0 m) length × 22 ft (6.7 m) beam
  • Registered Tonnage: 188 gross tons, 107 net tons
  • Location: Near Serpent Island, Meldrum Bay, North Channel, Lake Huron
  • Official Number: Not documented
  • Original Owners: Not specified
  • Number of Masts: Not specified

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Vanderbilt was a wooden-hulled propeller-driven steambarge, a vessel type commonly used on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century for transporting bulk goods such as building materials.

Description

Constructed in 1873 by J. Simpson in Chatham, Ontario, the Vanderbilt measured 92 feet (28.0 meters) in length with a beam of 22 feet (6.7 meters). The vessel had a gross tonnage of 188 and a net tonnage of 107. As a steambarge, it was designed for efficient cargo transport across the Great Lakes.

History

On June 10, 1882, the Vanderbilt was en route from Midland, Ontario, to Mamainse, Ontario, carrying a cargo of lime and building materials. While navigating near Serpent Island in Meldrum Bay, North Channel, Lake Huron, the vessel was discovered to be ablaze. Efforts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful, leading the crew to beach the vessel in an attempt to save it. Despite these efforts, the Vanderbilt burned to a total loss. Fortunately, all 30 crew members survived the incident.

Significant Incidents

  • June 10, 1882: The Vanderbilt caught fire while navigating near Serpent Island, leading to its total loss.

Final Disposition

Following the fire and beaching in 1882, the Vanderbilt was deemed a total loss. There is no information available regarding salvage operations or the recovery of cargo.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Specific details about the discovery or exploration of the Vanderbilt’s wreck site are not provided in the available sources.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The destruction of the Vanderbilt in 1882 underscores the hazards faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, particularly the risks associated with onboard fires. The incident highlights the importance of safety measures and the challenges of emergency response during that era. The Vanderbilt’s story contributes to the broader understanding of maritime history in the region.