IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
- Vessel Name: Charles A. Street
- Type: Propeller Steamer
- Registration Number: 126485 (U.S.)
- Year Built: 1888
- Gross Tonnage: 512 tons
- Date of Incident: July 20, 1908
- Location: Port Sanilac, Lake Huron
- Final Disposition: Total Loss due to fire
INCIDENT DESCRIPTION
The Charles A. Street, a propeller-driven Steamer, met its end on July 20, 1908, at Port Sanilac, Lake Huron, when a fire broke out on board. Despite the vessel being completely destroyed, all thirteen persons on board escaped safely, with no loss of life reported.
This incident highlights the dangers faced by steam-powered vessels in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly the risk of fire, a common hazard for wooden steamers or those carrying flammable cargo.
AFTERMATH AND REPORTING
•Casualties: None. All passengers and crew survived the fire.
•Loss Classification: Total Loss.
•Documentation: The event was officially recorded in the 1909 fiscal year report of U.S. vessel losses, a compilation of maritime incidents for that period.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
•Wreck Condition: The Charles A. Street burned completely, and any remains would likely consist of scattered, charred debris.
•Accessibility: The exact location of any remains near Port Sanilac is not documented, and the likelihood of significant wreckage surviving after the fire is minimal.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Charles A. Street was among the numerous steam-powered vessels operating on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. Its loss underscores the prevalence of fire hazards aboard such vessels, often exacerbated by the materials and technologies of the time. Despite the destruction of the vessel, the survival of all on board highlights the effectiveness of the crew’s response in ensuring passenger safety.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Great Lakes Vessel History Database: Comprehensive records of Great Lakes Ships, including the Charles A. Street.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Historical shipwreck data for Lake Huron and surrounding areas.
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Archival information on 19th and early 20th-century Great Lakes vessels.
- 3DShipwrecks – Charles A. Street
KEYWORDS
Charles A. Street, Propeller Steamer, Lake Huron, Port Sanilac, 1908 fire, U.S. vessel losses, Great Lakes shipwrecks, maritime history.
ANALYSIS
The loss of the Charles A. Street adds to the historical record of hazards faced by early steamboats on the Great Lakes, with fire being a recurring cause of shipwrecks. This incident also illustrates the growing emphasis on safety during the period, as evidenced by the successful evacuation of all passengers and crew. While the vessel was lost, its story contributes to the understanding of maritime risks and responses in the era of steam navigation.