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This is a contributing entry for Langell Shipyard Walking Tour and only appears as part of that tour.Learn More.

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the single-masted wooden schooner MELBOURNE. The 169 ft. Great Lakes boat was built in the Langell Shipyard in 1880, the thirteenth boat built by Simon Langell in St. Clair. Even though it had a mast and sails, the MELBOURNE was designed primarily to be towed by steam barges. This was common practice for vessels on the Great Lakes during the mid to late 1800’s. During the boat’s 50 year sailing history, the MELBOURNE sank twice (1904 and 1909) but was raised both times. It was abandoned in Canada in 1930.


MELBOURNE Marker #5

Plant, Water, Rectangle, Wood

MELBOURNE on Great Lakes

Water, Sky, Boat, Vehicle

MELBOURNE at docks with other wood freighters

Boat, Watercraft, Sky, Vehicle

Vessel Data

Vessel Name:  MELBOURNE

Official Number:  91253

Rig: Schooner

Vessel Length: 168.66 feet

Vessel Width: 31.50 feet

Vessel Depth: 12.50 feet

Gross Tonnage: 510.35

Net Tonnage: 484.84

Hull Material: Wood

Builder:  Simon Langell

Notes: 

1880 – June 8, enrolled Detroit, MI

1884 – Towed by NIPIGON

1890 – towed by F.W. WHEELER

1893 – May, ashore Keweenaw Point, Lake Superior

1907 – towed by steambarge J.C. PRINGLE

1914 – Final U.S. enrollment surrendered at Detroit, MI, sold Canadian, C134474 (170’ length, 31.5’ wide, 12.4’ deep, 518 gross tons)

1930 – abandoned

 

 

Great Lakes Maritime Database, Great Lakes Maritime Collection, Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library. “Shipbuilding in St. Clair,” Research Binder, Ships File Cabinet, St. Clair Historical Museum and Research Center archives.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

St. Clair Historical Museum and Research Center

Great Lakes Maritime Database, Great Lakes Maritime Collection, Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library

St. Clair Historical Museum and Research Center