Barge S.C. Baldwin (Built 1871)

3D Model

S.C. BALDWIN had a long career in which it underwent many different iterations. The vessel was first built in 1871 as a steam barge with a rounded stern and one deck to carry iron ore. Later in its career, a second deck was added to the vessel to increase its carrying capacity. In 1903, S.C. BALDWIN got caught in ice in Green Bay and sank, where it’s stern sat on the lake bottom for nearly a year. Following this, the vessel was raised and repurposed as a stone barge with a square stern. The vessel sank in 1908 while under tow between two vessels. S.C. BALDWIN capsized in the night, and it wasn’t discovered until the morning. The vessel’s tow lines were cut and the barge sank rapidly, righting itself on the way to the lake bottom. Today, S.C. BALDWIN is broken but sits upright, with its stempost standing 20+ feet above the sand. The vessel’s cargo of stone was dumped out of the hold when the vessel overturned, and is located 2.5 miles away.

Data collected: 2023