Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: William H. Barrett
- Type: Sidewheel steamboat
- Year Built: 1874
- Builder: J. Ganoe & Sons, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Dimensions: 129 ft × 24 ft × 4 ft; 118 gross / 112 net tons
- Registered Tonnage: 118 gross / 112 net tons
- Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Official Number: 80458
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Sidewheel passenger steamboat, wooden-hulled, single deck—typical of 1870s river craft.
Description
The William H. Barrett was a sidewheel steamboat built in 1874, primarily serving the Grand River route between Grand Rapids and Grand Haven. It was constructed by J. Ganoe & Sons, a prominent shipbuilder of the time.
History
The vessel operated predominantly on the Grand River, likely transporting passengers and goods. It was a typical example of the wooden-hulled steamboats that were common in the late 19th century.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Incident: 6 November 1894, around 1 a.m.
- Location: At winter lay-up moorings, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
- Incident: Caught fire at dock while laid up for winter—totally destroyed.
- Insurance: Policy expired 1 November 1894—vessel was uninsured at time of loss.
- Casualties: None recorded.
Final Disposition
The Barrett was declared a total loss after the fire completely consumed the vessel. The financial burden fell entirely on the owners due to the lapsed insurance policy.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the William H. Barrett is not accessible for diving due to its location and the nature of its loss. The site remains a historical point of interest.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”william-h-barrett-us-80458″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the William H. Barrett serves as a reminder of the risks faced by vessels during the era of wooden steamboats, particularly regarding fire hazards while moored.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Vessel Name: William H. Barrett
- Official Number: 80458 (Wikipedia, NCEI)
- Type: Sidewheel steamboat (wooden hull, single deck)
- Built: 1874 by J. Ganoe & Sons, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Dimensions & Tonnage: 129 ft × 24 ft × 4 ft; 118 gross / 112 net tons
- Operating Route: Grand River, service between Grand Rapids and Grand Haven (sllib.org)
Loss Overview
- Date of Incident: 6 November 1894, around 1 a.m.
- Location: At winter lay-up moorings, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Incident: Caught fire at dock while laid up for winter—totally destroyed (Wikipedia)
- Insurance: Policy expired 1 November 1894—vessel was uninsured at time of loss
- Casualties: None recorded
Construction & Service History
- Vessel Type: Sidewheel passenger steamboat, wooden-hulled, single deck—typical of 1870s river craft
- Builder: J. Ganoe & Sons (Grand Rapids, MI), prominent 19th-century steamer constructors
- Service: Operated predominantly on the Grand River between Grand Rapids and Grand Haven—likely transporting passengers and goods
Final Voyage & Loss Details
- The Barrett was moored for offseason lay-up when a fire broke out early in the morning of 6 November 1894.
- Firefighting efforts failed, and the steamer burned completely to the waterline—declared a total loss.
- With insurance expired five days prior, the financial burden was fully borne by owner(s), and no human casualties were reported (Wikipedia).
Archival & Research References
- List of shipwrecks in 1894 (Wikipedia): Provides basic fire-loss confirmation and date (Wikipedia)
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (WordPress): Contains construction details, tonnage, insurance status, and loss narrative (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Research Gaps & Next Steps
- Contemporary News Accounts
- Retrieve local newspaper coverage (e.g., Grand Rapids Press, Detroit Free Press) from November 7–8, 1894, for incident details and potential follow-up on fire cause.
- Insurance Records
- Identify insurer archives to confirm when and why the policy lapsed, and whether legal repercussions or compensation were pursued post-loss.
- Registry & Builder Documentation
- Access official documentation (e.g., U.S. registry certificate No. 80458) or shipyard records from J. Ganoe & Sons via the Library of Michigan or local historical societies.
- Official Reports
- Investigate civil fire department logs or insurance-adjuster correspondence that may include technical descriptions or suspected cause of fire.
- Photographic Evidence
- Explore Grand Rapids Public Library’s photograph archives or the Grand Rapids Public Museum for images of the Barrett, either during service or immediately after destruction.
Summary Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | William H. Barrett |
| Official No. | 80458 |
| Type & Build | 1874 sidewheel steamboat; wood |
| Dimensions & Tonnage | 129 × 24 × 4 ft; 118 gross / 112 net |
| Service Route | Grand River (Grand Rapids ↔ Grand Haven) |
| Loss Event | Dock fire, 6 Nov 1894 |
| Insurance | Lapsed 1 Nov; uninsured at loss |
| Casualties | None reported |