Manitowoc in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Steam Barge Francis Hinton
Historic Shipwreck
— Wisconsin’s Maritime Trails —
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, May 23, 2012
1. Steam Barge Francis Hinton Marker
Type: Wooden steam barge
Built: 1889, Hansen & Scove, Manitowoc, Wis.
Sank: November 16, 1909
Length: 152’ Beam: 31’
Cargoes: Lumber, wood products
Propulsion: Propeller
Depth of Wreckage: 15’
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
About one-quarter mile offshore from this point lies the wreck of the steam barge Francis Hinton. The Francis Hinton was built in Manitowoc in 1889 for the Lake Michigan lumber trade. She was the last ship built by the Danish immigrants Jasper Hansen & Hans Scove.
On the morning of Nov. 16, 1909, the Francis Hinton was carrying a full load of Norway pine from Manistique, Mich., to Chicago. Working her way through the heavy seas of a gale, she began taking on water. Captain John Campbell turned toward Two Rivers Harbor, but the rising water extinguished the fire in the steam boiler. The captain ordered the anchor dropped and signaled for help. The heavy seas, however, prevented help from reaching the Hinton. With his ship in danger of sinking, Captain Campbell ordered the anchor chain released, hoping the vessel would
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, May 23, 2012
2. Steam Barge Francis Hinton Marker
Upper Left: A crew member watches from the bow while the Francis Hinton is underway, date unknown. Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Bowling Green State University
this page online
The wind blew the vessel aground, but the pounding surf began breaking up her hull. Captain Campbell and his eleven-man crew took to a small boat and skillfully maneuvered through breakers, while hundreds of people watched from shore.
Today, the Francis Hinton rests in 15 feet of water, with her boiler rising 10 feet above the lakebed. She is marked seasonally by a Wisconsin Historical Society mooring buoy.
Background image: The blades of the Francis Hinton’s propeller are encrusted with zebra mussels. Photo by Kim Brungraber
Erected by Wisconsin Historical Society, UW Sea Grant Institute, Wisconsin Coastal Management Program.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin’s Maritime Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1772.
Location. 44° 6.697′ N, 87° 38.324′ W. Marker is in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in Manitowoc County. Marker is on Memorial Drive (State Highway 42) half a mile north of Waldo Blvd, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Manitowoc WI 54220, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. American Legion Memorial Drive (approx. 1.2 miles away); Union Park
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, May 23, 2012
3. Steam Barge Francis Hinton Marker
Center Left: The Two Rivers Lifesaving Crew row out to the wreck of the Francis Hinton. Rogers Street Fishing Village
Additional keywords. Steam Barge Francis Hinton
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, May 23, 2012
4. Steam Barge Francis Hinton Marker
An archaeological site plan of the shipwreck, drawn in 1994. Wisconsin Historical Society
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, May 23, 2012
5. Steam Barge Francis Hinton Marker
Close up of ship's information
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, May 23, 2012
6. Steam Barge Francis Hinton Marker
Looking east out to Lake Michigan
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, May 23, 2012
7. Steam Barge Francis Hinton Marker
Looking south toward downtown Manitowoc
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 824 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 5, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
