Benjamin (Ben) Franklin

Benjamin Franklin

Date Built: 1842
Construction: Wooden Sidewheel Steamer
Owners: Hiram Burton, Buffalo, NY Builders: Appleby, Gilman, Buffalo, NY
Dimensions: 135x20x9, 131 Gross tons Cargo: Passengers & Packet Freight for TBI lighthouse & Fishermen

Condition: Paddlewheel shafts found near shore

Location: Near Thunder Bay Island Light off of shoal

Depth: 30-40'

Date of Loss: October 8, 1850

Lat/Lon:

Type of Loss: Grounded in storm on Thunder Bay Island reef.

Loran:

Loss of Life: none

GPS:

Co-ordinates are informational only, they maybe inaccurate and should
NOT BE USED FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES!
While re-supplying Thunder Bay Island Light she was caught by a storm and stranded on the limestone ledge at the SE end of Thunder Bay Island. Her machinery was striped and left ashore. Then in a storm on Nov. 28 all was washed away and her remaining hull was broke up.
Sources: Swayze