Identification & Site Information

  • Name: FRED McBRIER
  • Type: Wooden Steambarge (Bulk Propeller)
  • Year Built: June 1881
  • Builder: Not specified
  • Material: Wood
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 161 feet (49.1 meters)
    • Beam: 31 feet (9.4 meters)
    • Depth: 12 feet (3.7 meters)
  • Tonnage:
    • Gross: 442 tons
    • Net: 354 tons
  • Final Disposition: Sank on October 3, 1890, in the Straits of Mackinac following a collision with the steambarge PROGRESS.

Vessel Type Description

The FRED McBRIER was a wooden steambarge built for bulk cargo transportation on the Great Lakes. Designed for reliability and capacity, it featured a propeller-driven system powered by steam, making it a critical part of the late 19th-century maritime trade network on the lakes. The vessel was well-suited for carrying bulk goods like grain, coal, and lumber.

History

Construction and Service

Built in June 1881, the FRED McBRIER was a typical bulk propeller vessel, representing the vital transportation link on the Great Lakes. These vessels were essential to the burgeoning industrial economy of the region, facilitating the movement of goods between ports.

Collision and Sinking

On October 3, 1890, tragedy struck in the Straits of Mackinac when the FRED McBRIER collided with the steambarge PROGRESS. The force of the collision caused the FRED McBRIER to sink immediately, leaving its owners to seek legal recourse. A libel was filed against the PROGRESS, with the owners of the McBRIER demanding $43,000 in damages—a considerable sum at the time.

Aftermath

Efforts to locate and recover the wreck began promptly after the incident. The Steamship JOHMSON, operated by the Murphy Wrecking Company, was dispatched to search for the FRED McBRIER while awaiting equipment to raise another sunken vessel, the steam Barge OGEMAW, off Big Bay de Noque. Despite these efforts, the FRED McBRIER was ultimately lost to the depths of the Straits of Mackinac.

Final Disposition

The FRED McBRIER lies at the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of the Straits of Mackinac. Its exact location and condition remain unclear, though it is likely preserved to some degree by the cold freshwater environment of Lake Michigan.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck of the FRED McBRIER. Mariners navigating the Straits of Mackinac should exercise general caution due to the area’s numerous underwater hazards.

Resources & Links

Analysis

The sinking of the FRED McBRIER exemplifies the inherent risks of navigating the bustling waterways of the Great Lakes in the late 19th century. With vessels crisscrossing the lakes carrying vital industrial and agricultural goods, collisions were an unfortunate reality. The subsequent legal battle highlights the financial stakes and the importance of vessels like the FRED McBRIER in the regional economy. Today, the wreck remains part of the submerged cultural heritage of the Great Lakes, with potential for further exploration and historical study.

Keywords

#FREDMcBRIER #GreatLakesShipwreck #StraitsOfMackinac #BulkCarrier #19thCenturyMaritimeHistory #CollisionShipwreck