History of the George J. Whelan (1910-1930) |
The Whelan Originally Sailed Under the Name, "Erwin L. Fisher"
History |
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As ERWIN L. FISHER: Sunk in collision with steamer S.L. (or S.M.) CLEMENT [later Peavey Pioneer]., May 4, 1911, between Grassy Island and Mamajuda Light, Detroit River. Raised by Great Lakes Towing Co. and placed back in service. |
Sunk again on lakes in 1915, raised and soon after went to salt for World War I effort. Mined or torpedoed in 1918. Raised, rebuilt, and eventually returned to service on the East Coast, USA before returning to the Great Lakes in 1922 as BAYERSHER. |
In 1930, purchased by Kelley Island Lime & Transport Co., Sandusky, Ohio and rebuilt to a sandsucker and renamed the GEORGE J. WHELAN. On first her trip, her stone cargo shifted during a squall causing her to capsize and sink on 7/29/1930, 6 miles off Dunkirk, New York. Six crew members were rescued by the steamer AMASA STONE. Fifteen crew members died. Many of which were reported to have been in the holds attempting to redistribute the stone cargo in an attempt to right the ship. |
After being lost for over 75 years, with the assistance of the latest side scan sonar equipment, her wreckage was discovered, on October 12, 2005 by Gary Kozak and Jim Herbert. Photos from the first dives on the site are posted at: http://www.n2junkie.com/whelan.htm. |
Registry & Rig Information | |
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Vessel Name: ERWIN L. FISHER | Nationality: U.S. |
Official Number: 207617 | Rig: Propeller |
Dimensions & Tonnage | |
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Gross Tonnage: 1184 US [1074 Metric] | |
Vessel Width: 40 ft [12.2m] | Net Tonnage: 805 US [731 Metric] |
Vessel Height: 15.25 ft [4.6m] | Hull Material: Steel |
Masts: | Hull Number: 00117 |
Builder Information |
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Place of Build: Toledo, OH |
Builder: Toledo Shipbuilding Co. (Craig Shipbuilding Co) |
Date of Build: 1910 |
Notes: Designed for the lumber trade. |
Name Changes | ||||
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Vessel Name: | Date: | Registry | Official # | |
BAYERSHER | 1916 - 1921 | U.K. | 140270 | |
PORT DE CAEN | 1921 - 1921 | FRANCE | ||
BAYERSHER | 1921 - 1923 | CANADA | 140270 | |
CLAREMONT | 1923 - 1930 | CANADA | 140270 | |
WHELAN, GEORGE J. | 1930 - 1930 | U.S. | 207617 |
Ownership Changes | |||||
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Owner Name | Date | Registry | Official # | ||
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1910 - 1916 | U.S. | 207617 | ||
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1916 - 1916 | U.S. | 207617 | ||
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1916 - 1921 | U.K. | 140270 | ||
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1921 - 1921 | FRANCE | |||
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1921 - 1923 | CANADA | 140270 | ||
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1923 - 1930 | CANADA | 140270 | ||
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1930 - 1930 | U.S. | 207617 |
Rebuild History |
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Tonnage change, 1916 (1320 gross - 855 net). Tonnage change, 1921 (1430 gross - 830 net). Converted to sand dredge, 1930 (1293 gross - 795 net). |
Disposition |
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On first trip as sand dredge, foundered six miles north of Dunkirk, NY, Lake Erie, on July 29, 1930; fifteen lives lost. Six crew members rescued by AMASA STONE. |
References |
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Great
Lakes Vessels Database, Historical Collections of the Great lakes, Bowling Green State
University
Catalog of Public Libraries in Milwaukee County, Milwaukee Public Library: Milwaukee, WI "Sand Boat Founders in Midnight Storm", The Buffalo Evening News, July 29, 1930. |