Wisconsin s Underwater Heritage Vol. 24 No. 2 A Publication of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association June 2014 The Material Service: Listed in the NRHP May 2014 By Kira E. Kaufmann In May, 2014, the Material Service became the second shipwreck in Indiana s territorial waters of the southern Lake Michigan basin to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This ship was originally built in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, for a Milwaukee company, and the shipwreck is the first one in over 25 years to receive such recognition in Indiana. The shipwreck was first nominated and listed in the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structure in the fall of 2013. Overall, the nomination process took about two years. The Material Service barge was nominated to the state and national registers because it has NRHP significance criteria applicable to the historic themes of commerce, industry, engineering, architecture, and maritime transportation on the Great Lakes during a very concise time frame, the depression era. It has significance to commerce because it was a vessel specifically designed for an industry that was one of the most prominent and active in the economic development of the region after World War I. It was significant to industry because it was explicitly designed to improve the economic benefit for the company involved in the gravel and stone industry. The Material Service was significant to naval architecture because it was the first of its kind to be designed by ship architect Leathem D. Smith and also was the first vessel specifically constructed as a self-unloader for canal service. continued on page 2 Sidescan image of the Material Service from 2012 (Used with permission, Indiana Department of Natural Resources)
2 Wisconsin s Underwater Heritage June 2014 The Material Service: Listed in NRHP continued from page 1 The Material Service has significance to engineering because the ship s architect incorporated innovative designs in engines, machinery, and hardware to improve the operation and self-unloading capabilities. It has significance to transportation because it was a forerunner in more efficient and effective means of travel for gravel and sand cargos. The National Register criteria used for evaluation under Criteria D, for archaeology sites, are that the Material Service site has physical remains to provide additional important information about the method of construction, unique engineering, operation, and sinking event. The level of significance applicable criteria to the archaeology relates to historic and non-aboriginal potential for information from the extant ship remains and associated debris field. In addition, several of the crew who perished in 1936 came from the same area as the builder's home town of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Archaeological remains that may be present may provide information about ethnicity and crew life aboard a cargo barge of the early 1900s. The Material Service barge was constructed in 1929 for the Smith-Putnam Navigation Company at the Smith shipyards in Sturgeon Bay. This ship was leased to its namesake, the Material Service Company, for ten years. The vessel was based out of Milwaukee and used primarily to transport sand and gravel on Lake Michigan. The Material Service was a steam-operated barge vessel that was designed as a self-unloader. When it was constructed, it was the first selfunloading barge designed by architect Leathem D. Smith. At the time of its construction, the Material Service barge combined inventive structural and functional design elements into its system of self-unloading levers and pulleys. It was specifically built to transport sand and gravel to and from Lake Michigan and docks on the Chicago River. This vessel had an unusual form of architecture that allowed it to carry specific types of cargo through the Chicago canal. It had a system, and a low superstructure, which allowed it to travel through the canal without requiring bridge openings. The Material Service barge was reported to be the first selfunloader in the canal service. Thus, the vessel represents a unique twentieth century motorship design. Today, the Material Service barge lies on its hull on the level sandy bottom of Lake Michigan and includes intact superstructure with deck equipment, and pilot house sidewalls. Much of the wreck is covered with zebra mussels and green algae. Nominating Shipwrecks to the National Register Nominating shipwrecks to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) can be done by states, organizations, or private individuals. The process involves completing and submitting a nomination form to the Wisconsin Historical Society. The nomination process involves research and time. Wisconsin has the most shipwrecks of any midwestern state listed in the NRHP. You can learn more about Wisconsin s shipwrecks at: http://www.wisconsinshipwre cks.org/ and at http://www.nps.gov/history/a rcheology/sites/statesubmerge d/wisconsin.htm The National Park Service has a guide to preparing shipwreck nominations at: http://www.nps.gov/nr/public ations/bulletins/nrb20/
3 Wisconsin s Underwater Heritage June 2014 The Reliable: WUAA Project Schedule - Continuing Our 36th Season Thursdays on the Len-Der Charters began on May 22, 2014, to continue the survey of the Reliable. If interested in participating in this project, please contact Kimm Stabelfeldt, who is in charge of this project. Captains will be Jerry Guyer, Tony Bach, Amanda Schenk, and Jason Grochowski. Ongoing dates are: July 10, July 17, July 24, August 7, August 14, August 21, September 4, September 11, September 18, and October 2 Baileys Harbor: WUAA Project Schedule 2014 This year s Baileys Harbor project had to be cancelled. However, plans are in process to start up again for the 2015 season. For any questions,, contact Russel Leitz at rleitz@mwwb.net. The Meteor Project Update The S. S. Meteor Preservation and Stabilization Project has another undertaking coming up on the horizon. The black part of the hull is in need of being painted with special paint. Therefore, the Superior Public Museums are conducting a special program to encourage folks to Buy and Sponsor a Gallon Bucket of Paint to help restore and preserve the hull of Submitted by Russel Leitz the world s last Whaleback ship. The cost of sponsoring a bucket of paint is $50.00 per bucket. The bucket of paint will be displayed in the tower of "Thanks" in the S.S. Meteor Museum with the donor s name on it throughout the 2014 touring season. This will provide recognition for the folks that helped with purchasing the paint and ultimately the new look of the painted hull. Anyone who is interested in participating in this program is encouraged to contact Sara Blanck, the Director - Superior Public Museums at sbb@superiorpublicmuseums. org or 715-394-5712. More information about the Meteor Project is available at: http://superiorpublicmuseums. org/ The International Seafarers Center The Seafarers Center is a home away from home for mariners. These centers are supported by volunteers and donor contributions, primarily from the local communities in which they are located. There is a regional Seafarers Center in Duluth, Minnesota, and another, the Great Lakes Seafarers Center, in Detroit, Michigan. In Duluth, the Seafarers Center offers a ministry of hospitality to those persons who work and visit our ports in Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin. Information about the ISC is at: http://www.seafarerscenter. org/. Information about the Duluth Seafarers Center is available at: http://theseafarerscenter.org/intere sting-links/.
4 Wisconsin s Underwater Heritage June 2014 Commemorating the City of Grand Haven The City of Grand Haven shipwreck was considered to be National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligible under Criterion D in 2012. This ship was one of the first Grand Haven rigs. It was a unique widely-spaced, two-masted schooner-barge and Historical Notes: From the Ashland Press, 1875 Submitted by Russel Leitz exemplified the conversion of a barge to a schooner during the age of sail to steam. The vessel was removed in 2013 because of the Menominee River remediation. To commemorate this vessel, a model of the City of Grand Haven and public interpretive panels will be unveiled at the Marinette County Historical Logging Museum on Stephenson Island during the Marinette Logging and Heritage Festival. The museum is open Mondays 12-4 pm and Tuesdays through Fridays 10 am-4 pm. For more information: 715-732-0831 From the pages of history, Through the courtesy of an old sailor, one of the early navigators of Lake Superior, but whose name we omit in deference to his wishes, we are placed in possession of the following interesting facts: The Northwest and Hudson Bay companies, prior to the year 1829, had on Lake Superior, employed as traders, the following vessels: Discovery, Invincible, Otter, Mink and the Recovery. They were respectable sized schooners. Of from 210 to 100 tons burthen, and all built, it is quite certain, on Lake Superior. The respective years of their building are not known, but as some had long been in service, their construction would seem to date back to very early in the nineteenth century. The Invincible was wrecked on Whitefish Point, prior to the year 1823, and the Discovery lost in an attempt to run the rapids in Sault St. Marie River. What became of the Otter is not definitively known, but in the records of the war of 1812, there is an account of the capture of a vessel above the Sault by the U. S., brig Niagara. As it would be impossible for the brig to ascend or make passage of the river at that time, the inference drawn is that the capture was effected by means of boats sent out from her for that purpose. This vessel was in all probability the Otter, as all the rest are accounted for, and her known history terminated at that time. Further, and what is still more conclusive, the records above cited that in the attempt to run the prize over the rapids she was wrecked and lost. The Mink, our informant states, land her bones in the bay on the Canada side, just above the rapids. In 1829, the Recovery made a safe passage of the Sault River into Lake Huron. She was a schooner of about 90 tons, well built of spruce, pine and tamarack, and finely fitted and furnished in every particular. She was bought of the Hudson s bay company by Merwin & Giddings of Cleveland, in the same year (1829) and taken to that city by her owners, who afterwards sold her to some parties in Canada, and she ended her days on the lower lakes. It is also known that Bayfield, in the years 1822-1823, used a small vessel of about 20 tons, while engaged in making a survey of Lake Superior. The vessel used by him, however, may have been the Mink, furnished by the Hudson s Bay company. From the year 1829 to 1835, there was a lapse in the navigation of Lake Superior, during which no vessels of any considerable size were known to be upon her waters only the common batteaux, French and traders of that early day. continued on page 5
5 Wisconsin s Underwater Heritage June 2014 Historical Notes: From the Ashland Press, 1875 continued from page 4 In the year 1835, Geo. W. Jones, now of Cleveland, constructed above and Sault, for the American Fur company, the John Jacob Astor, a schooner of 113 tons, In August of that year she was fitted out and made her first voyage, under the command of Capt. Charles C. Stanard, with the following officers: John Webster, first mate; John J. Stanard, second mate; and Capt. John McCargo, pilot. Capt. C. C. Stanard sailed the Astor until the close of navigation on Lake Superior in the fall of 1842. In 1843, Capt. B. A. Stanard took command of the Astor, and sailed her during the seasons of 1843 and 1844. She was wrecked at Copper Harbor while under his command, Sep. 20, 1844. Stanard s Rock, an almost indiscernible projection, lying nearly on a level with the water, and extremely dangerous for vessels, was discovered by Capt. C. C. Stanard in August, 1835, while on his first trip up the lake in command of the Astor. Its location was determined as nearly as possible with the instruments then at hand, which consisted merely of a common mariner s compass and a chip log and line, by Mr. B. A. Stanard in the summer of 1844. This opportune discovery, no doubt, has been of great advantage in perfecting reliable marine charts of the coast preventing disasters to shipping. The schooner Wm. Brewster, 75 tons, was built for the American Fur company at Sault Ste. Marie in 1838, and was sailed by Capt. John Wood until the fall of 1841, when she was laid up in ordinary at La Pointe. She was again fitted out in the summer of 1842 by Capt. B. A. Stanard, brought down to the Sault Ste. Marie and run over the rapids. From thence she was taken to Detroit, and ended her days on the lower lakes. The schooner Algonquin, 50 tons, was built at Black River, Loraing County, Ohio, by Capt. G. W. Jones in the summer of 1839. She was owned by the firm of Convease & Mendenhall, and was taken to the Sault in the fall of that year, hauled over the portage and made ready for the navigation of the lake in the spring of 1840. She was commanded first by Capts. Goldsmith, Smithwick and McKay. In 1839, the American Fur company built a small schooner of from 15 to 20 tons at La Pointe, called the Madeline, for the purpose of collecting fish from their stations along the west shore of Lake Superior and upon Isle Royale, and bringing them to La Pointe for shipment to the Sault. She was under the command of Capt. John Angus, and was lost at Isle Royale the same year. The schooner Siskiwit, of about 40 tons, was built by the same company soon after at La Pointe, to supply the place of the Madeline, and sailed under the command of Capt. John Angus. She was wrecked at Isle Royale in 1841 or 1842, but was subsequently gotten off and repaired by Capt. John J. Stanard, and laid up in ordinary at La Pointe; but she was again fitted out in 1845 and navigated the lake during the summer and fall of that year, under the command of Capt. B. A. Stanard. She was laid up on the close of navigation, at the Sault, and her future career is not known. The Canadian schooner Whitefish, about 40 tons, was built by the Hudson s Bay Fur company at the Sault in 1838, and was sailed by Capt. Lamphen. She was still in service used to a very late date, but it is hardly probable that anything remains of her at present. continued on page 6
6 Wisconsin s Underwater Heritage June 2014 Historical Notes: From the Ashland Press, 1875 In 1845 the following named vessels were hauled over the portage at the Sault, and made their appearances on lake Superior; Schooner Chippewa, 20 tons, Capt. Thomas Clark, master and owner; schooner Florence, 20 tons, hauled over the portage on the Canada side by Antrim & Keith, commanded by Capt. David Keith; schooner Swallow, 80 tons, was hauled over on the American side and tried her fortunes on the lake, under command of Capt. Smithwick; schooner Merchant, 80 to 90 tons, was hauled over and made her first appearance on the lake under the command of Capt. Moore. The Merchant was lost in 1846 or 1847, under the command of Capt. Robert Brown, with all hands on board, and no vestige of her was ever found. Next in order came the schooner Uncle Tom (Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe s) 90 tons, under the command of Capt. John Angus. She, like the others, failed to make the anticipated fortunes of her owners, and was subsequently run over the rapids and ended her days on the lower lakes. The schooner Fur Trade, about 60 tons, made her appearance the same year (1845) under the command of Capt. Calvin Ripley, master and owner. The propeller Independence, Capt. P. Averill, was hauled over in the summer of 1845 and made one trip during the fall to La Pointe. She returned to the Sault and was laid up for the winter. During the summer of 1845 the schooner Napoleon was built at the Sault, and commanded the navigation of the lake under the command of Capt. John Stewart. The Napoleon was overhauled in 1849, and changed to a propeller. She continued running on the lake until the completion of the St, Mary s Falls ship canal, when she was taken to the St. Clair Flats and used as a tow boat until taken out of service. In the fall of Wisconsin Historical Society News continued from page 5 1845, the steamer Julia Palmer, 240 tons, was brought to the Sault and laid up for the winter. In the spring of 1846 she was drawn over the portage, and during the season was under the command of Capt. John J. Stanard. She was laid up in the fall and thus ended her career, except, perhaps, that she was subsequently towed to Waiska Bay, and there converted into the foundation of a wood dock. Subsequently to 1856, the schooner Ford, Capt. Parker, steamer Sam Ward (master unknown) and propeller Manhattan, Capt. J. Spaulding, were hauled over the portage and successfully navigated the lake until the finishing and opening of the St. Mary s Falls ship canal. (Marquette Journal) Early Navigation on Lake Superior. From the Ashland Press, June 19, 1875:1-6, Column 2 The Wisconsin Historical Society is currently conducting some survey work at the shipwreck Milwaukee. The Milwaukee carferry was built in 1903 and originally named, Manistique Marquette And Northern 1. In 1908, the Milwaukee was damaged by ice coming from Manistique, Michigan. It was that same year that the Grand Trunk Railroad took over and renamed the ship to the S. S. Milwaukee. On 22, 1929, while under the command of Captain Robert Heavy Weather McKay, the Milwaukee sunk in a furious storm and was not seen again for many years. The Milwaukee was found in 1972 by individuals using remote sensing sonar. Today it is a popular SCUBA dive site.
7 Wisconsin s Underwater Heritage June 2014 New T-Shirts New WUAA T-shirts have been designed and are on display at the website. They can be ordered in the following sizes: S, M, L, XL. Short-sleeved shirts are $17 and long-sleeved shirts are $25. To order, go online: www.wuaa.org. Wisconsin s Underwater Heritage is published quarterly by the website: President: Directors: Wisconsin Underwater Archeology www.wuaa.org Kevin Cullen Russel Leitz Association, a nonprofit association Green Bay Waupaca of individuals and organizations email: interested in studying and preserving newsletter@ Vice-President: Rick Hake the underwater cultural resources wuaa.org Brendon Baillod Milwaukee and historical sites of Wisconsin. Marshall Mail Correspon- Robert Lijewski In addition to publishing this news- dence to: Treasurer: Muskego letter, the association also holds an WUAA Lee Hintz annual meeting and provides support PO Box 510173 Oak Creek for member s research and publication Milwaukee, WI projects. Annual membership dues 53202 Secretary/Newsletter Editor: are $20. For membership information Kira Kaufmann write to the postal address or visit Oconomowoc the website.
Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association P.O. Box 510173 Milwaukee, WI 53203 For those interested in the study and preservation of Wisconsin s underwater history and cultural resources Coming Events June 23, 2014 To January 9, 2015 Safe Harbor: Lighthouses of Green Bay, Exhibit at the Neville Museum http://www.nevillepublicmuseum.org/temporary-exhibits/safe-harbor July 12-13, 2014 October 25, 2014 Marinette Logging and Heritage Festival (Model of City of Grand Haven and Interpretive panels to be unveiled at the Marinette County Historical Logging Museum). During the festival. The museum will be open 12-4pm On Saturday and 1-4pm on Sunday. http://marinetteloggingandheritagefestival.com/ WUAA Annual Meeting, Location Manitowoc Maritime Museum