MERCHANT (1862, Propeller)

Description

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Identification

Vessel name:: MERCHANT
Year of Build:: 1862
Official Number:: 16332

Construction and Ownership

Built at:: Buffalo, NY
Vessel Type:: Propeller
Hull Materials:: Iron
Number of Decks:: 1
Builder Name:: David Bell
Original Owner and Location:: J.C. & E.T. Evans, Buffalo

Power

Number of Masts:: 1
Propulsion:: Screw
Engine Type:: Low Pressure
# Cylinders:: 1
# Boilers:: 1
# Propellers:: 1
Propulsion Notes:: 40" X 36" engine, 600 hp by David Bell Iron Works, Buffalo. 9' X 19' boiler, 50# steam. 10' diameter propeller.

Hull Dimensions

Length:: 189' 3"
Beam:: 29' 2"
Depth:: 13' 8"
Tonnage (old style):: 720 61/95

Final Disposition

Final Location:: Racine Reef near Racine, WI.
Lake Michigan.
Date:: 6 Oct 1875
How:: Wrecked.
Final Cargo:: Corn, flour, pork, flaxseed.
Notes:: Stranded & wrecked on reef due to navigational error. 1875, Nov Dismantled, abandoned. 1877, Aug Engine recovered - into A.L. HOPKINS (1880) US105973.

History

Chronology:

1862, Jul 12 Launched; ran Buffalo - Chicago.

1862, Aug 2 Enrolled Buffalo, NY; first iron merchant ship manufactured & built on Great Lakes; first cargo boat made to burn coal.

1868, Oct 11 Ashore in fog, Malden (Amherstburg), ONT, Detroit River.

1871 Owned Anchor Line.

1872 - 73 Rebuilt & lengthened 30', 220.6' X 29.4' X 12.9', 1068 gross tons, passenger cabins removed; Owned Erie & Western Transportation Co. (Anchor Line), Erie, PA.

1875, Oct 6 Stranded on Racine Reef, Racine, WI.

Notes