1908 Wyandotte 1 1965
Steel Great Lakes self-unloading bulk freighter
Built at Ecorse MI by Great Lakes Engineering Works, Hull 54
First self-unloader built on the Great Lakes
Keel laid April 30, 1908; launched July 2, 1908
304’ LOA, 286’ LBP, 45’ beam, 24’ depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, hatches @ 12’, coal-fired boilers, triple expansion engine, 1100 IHP
Enrolled at Detroit MI July 30, 1908 (#6)
286.0 x 45.2 x 24.0, 2095 GT, 1283 NT US 205458 to:
Wyandotte Transportation Co., Detroit MI, a subsidiary of Michigan Alkali Co. (home port Wyandotte MI)
Entered service Aug 5, 1908 sailing light to Sandusky OH for a cargo of coal for Alpena MI
Lengthened 60’ 1910 at Ecorse MI by Great Lakes Engineering Works
Remeasured to 346.0 length and 2450 GT, 1541 NT
Laid up at the end of the 1961 season at Wyandotte MI and did not operate again. Formally retired in 1963 when str. Conneaut was renamed Wyandotte (2).
Sold 1965 to Waterman Steamship Co. for trade in to U. S. Maritime Commission for vessels in the reserve fleet. Resold to Marine Salvage Ltd., Port Colborne ON and scrapped at Port Colborne.
See history in Great Lakes Ships We Remember II p. 424
0832
I am 89, I worked on the JOHN STANTON one season as a deckhand in 1951, but have been interested in Great Lakes History all my life. In 1999 I was allowed to take a trip on the RESERVE.
Last night In my dreams out of the blue I was asked “Whatever happened to the WYANDOTTE?” It woke me up! So I’m sitting here at 2 AM on my computer checking to see if I was right that she was the first self-unloader on the lakes and was scrapped in the 1960’s.
That’s just one example of the STRANGE dreams I’m having in my old age.
Dang, dude. As a kid who dreams of working on the lakes, this is very interesting, and honestly, I find it neat that you got a dream about the WYANDOTTE. That’s pretty cool.
Looking for info on my father and grand father need help
My grandfather, John c Broadwell, born and raised in Alpena, climbed aboard the Wyandotte boats right after the big storm of 1913. He rose to become master of the Wyandotte, then the Alpena from 1936-1942. He became captain of the flagship Conneaut in 1943 and sailed as her master until 1951 when he died in the pilot house while docking in Toledo. He was 55 years old. I have his last license and set of binoculars. His son John T Broadwell sailed for Wyandotte Chemicals and was 1st mate on the Conneaut when the boats were sold to Ogleby Norton.
My Grandfather Donald M. Duncan was master of that ship from 1952 to 1955 need help finding more info on him and my father James
Brian, I’m not sure if your grandfather’ was captain of the original Wyandotte or the Conneaut which was renamed Wyandotte after the original was scrapped in the ’60s. Captain Bill Yates preceded my grandfather John C Broadwell as master of the Conneaut. After he died in 1951 Harvey Booth became captain but that may not have occurred until 1955 if your grandfather took over from mine. I can be reached at rvogt8421@gmail.com if I can help.
Brian, I believe your father was born in the Alpena area in 1905, making him about nine years younger than my grandfather John Broadwell. Donald lived in Alpena in 1940. His wife was Bula. He was 2nd mate on the Huron. As you have indicated, your grandfather was captain on the Wyandotte (1) from 1952-1955. He became captain of the Alpena and then the Huron in the later ’50s. Hope to hear from you. rvogt8421@gmail.com
I sailed on the Huron 4 years 1956 57 58 and 1959 I knew both your dad and your grand father jim was a fireman your grandfather was captain I was deckhand then deckwatch then watchman they were both great guys
My grandfather sailed on the Huron many years. His name was Loius Bourlier aka Pickles. Do you remember him?