Anthony Wayne: the History and Archaeology of an Early
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ANTHONY WAYNE: THE HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY OF AN EARLY GREAT LAKES STEAMBOAT A Thesis by BRADLEY ALAN KRUEGER Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS May 2012 Major Subject: Anthropology Anthony Wayne: The History and Archaeology of an Early Great Lakes Steamboat Copyright 2012 Bradley Alan Krueger ANTHONY WAYNE: THE HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY OF AN EARLY GREAT LAKES STEAMBOAT A Thesis by BRADLEY ALAN KRUGEER Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS Approved by: Chair of Committee, Kevin J. Crisman Committee Members, Felipe Luis Vieira De Castro Charles E. Brooks Head of Department, Cynthia Werner May 2012 Major Subject: Anthropology iii ABSTRACT Anthony Wayne: The History and Archaeology of an Early Great Lakes Steamboat. (May 2012) Bradley Alan Krueger, B.A., University of Michigan Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Kevin J. Crisman The Great Lakes side-wheel steamboat Anthony Wayne was built in 1837 at Perrysburg, OH and participated in lakes shipping during a time when such vessels were experiencing their heyday. Designed as a passenger and cargo carrier, the steamer spent 13 years transporting goods and people throughout the Upper Lakes until succumbing to a boiler explosion while headed to Buffalo on 28 April 1850. The remains of Anthony Wayne were discovered in 2006 and two years later a collaborative project was begun for the purposes of documenting and assessing the present day condition of the wreck. Anthony Wayne is the oldest steamboat wreck on the Great Lakes to be studied by archaeologists and represents an important piece of maritime heritage that can aid researchers in understanding architectural and machinery specifics that are unknown to us today. This thesis presents the results of an archaeological and archival investigation of Anthony Wayne. Information pertaining to the discovery and significance of the vessel are presented, followed by descriptions of Perrysburg and its shipping industry, the steamer’s owners, and how the vessel was built. The operational history of Anthony iv Wayne is then outlined chronologically, including ports of call, cargoes, masters, and incidents the steamer experienced. Details of the explosion and the aftermath of the sinking are then discussed, followed by a brief summary of other Great Lakes steamboat catastrophes from 1850 and why boilers explode. Focus then shifts to the two-year archaeological investigation, including project objectives, methodology, and findings. The construction specifics of the steamboat’s hull, drive system, and associated artifacts are then presented, followed by post-project analysis and conclusions. A catalog of Great Lakes steam vessels, vessel enrollment documentation, the coroner’s inquest following the disaster, and the initial dive report from the discoverers are furnished as appendices. v DEDICATION To those lights in my life that have guided me through calm and stormy seas vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The historical and archaeological investigation of the steamboat Anthony Wayne was completed with the ardent support of many individuals, institutions, and organizations. First, I would like to recognize my thesis committee chair, Dr. Kevin J. Crisman. Dr. Crisman has generously contributed his time, knowledge, and resources so that this thesis could come to fruition. His understanding of both North American maritime history and the related world of nautical archaeology is what brought me to Texas A&M University. Being able to work with Dr. Crisman both in the classroom and in the field has been an amazing experience, and he has my sincerest appreciation for the opportunities he has afforded me during my tenure as a graduate student. In addition, I would like to thank thesis committee members Drs. Filipe Castro and Charles Brooks for their generous insight and contributions to this scholarly work, as it has been an great pleasure to work with them both. Support from the Nautical Archaeology Program at Texas A&M University also made this investigation possible. A note of thanks must be paid to Carrie Sowden, archaeological director of the Peachman Lake Erie Shipwreck Research Center at the Great Lakes Historical Society. Ms. Sowden served as co-director of the Anthony Wayne Shipwreck Survey for the 2008 and 2009 field seasons, bringing with her a high degree of professionalism and expertise in regard to the underwater recording of historic shipwrecks. Thomas Kowalczk has also been instrumental to the success of this project from the beginning, in truth it could not have happened without his support. As the discoverer vii of the Anthony Wayne wreck site, I am indebted to him for his willingness to share vital information, assistance in the field, and his valuable insight to Great Lakes maritime history. His involvement, along with that of the Cleveland Underwater Explorers, has been vital to the success of our summer endeavors. It has certainly been a pleasure to work with Tom and I hope to have many more opportunities to do so in the future. The archaeological component of this thesis could not have been possible without the assistance of a dedicated group of archaeologists, divers, and volunteers. The unique enthusiasm and hard work exhibited by these individuals was not only welcomed, but whole-heartedly appreciated. The field crews who made this project so successful are listed below: 2008 Field Season: Carrie Sowden, Thomas Kowalczk, Will Moser, Matt Mossman, Mike Mossman, Kara Hornthumb, Benjamin Ford, and Christopher Morris; 2009 Field Season: Carrie Sowden, Thomas Kowalczk, Will Moser, Heather Jones, Matt Mossman, Mike Mossman, Taylor Brooks, Tyler Cullinan, Christine Misterka, and David VanZandt. Financial and in-kind support for archaeological fieldwork was provided by the following: Dr. Kevin Crisman, Texas A&M University; the Great Lakes Historical Society; the Institute for Nautical Archaeology; the Ohio Department of Natural Resources; the Ohio Council of Skin and Scuba Diver, Inc. viii There are several other individuals I would also like to acknowledge for their contributions to this project: Christopher Gilchrist, Dr. James Delgado, C. Patrick Labadie, Bob Graham, Jack Papes, David Van Zandt, and Jim Paskert. I offer my sincerest thanks to both family and friends who have supported me through the entirety of this endeavor: Edward and Catheleen Krueger, Kate Maher, Margaret Prest, John Littlefield, Ryan Lee, Will Moser, Heather Brown, Kate Morrand and my fellow comrades from the Nautical Archaeology Program. ix NOMENCLATURE BGSUC Bowling Green State University Collection GLHSC Great Lakes Historical Society Collection MHGLC Maritime History of the Great Lakes Collection TBNMSC Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Collection x TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................. iii DEDICATION .......................................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................... vi NOMENCLATURE .................................................................................................. ix TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................... x LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................... xiii LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................... xviii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ................................................................................ 1 Steamboat Archaeology on the Great Lakes .................................. 1 Discovery of Anthony Wayne ......................................................... 3 The Significance of Anthony Wayne .............................................. 6 Methodology and Analysis ............................................................. 7 II BUILDING THE STEAMBOAT ANTHONY WAYNE ....................... 9 The Shipbuilding Industry of Perrysburg, Ohio ............................. 9 Anthony Wayne- “A New and Elegant Steamboat”........................ 18 III THE OPERATIONAL HISTORY OF THE ANTHONY WAYNE ....... 28 1837 – 1842 Seasons ...................................................................... 28 1843 – 1844 Seasons ...................................................................... 53 1845 – 1847 Seasons ...................................................................... 57 The Refurbished Side-wheel Steamer ............................................ 70 1849 Season .................................................................................... 77 1850 Season .................................................................................... 84 xi CHAPTER Page IV THE SINKING OF ANTHONY WAYNE ............................................. 89 All Aboard for Buffalo ................................................................... 89 “We Are Blown Up!” ..................................................................... 98 The Aftermath of Tragedy .............................................................. 107 Other Disasters of 1850 .................................................................. 115 Boilers Explosions .........................................................................