Independence Propeller - Soo Locks - Sault Ste Marie, USA.
N 46° 30.098 W 084° 21.046
16T E 703270 N 5153194
Propeller from the 'Independence' The first steamship to ply trade on Lake superior, Also a memorial to the four people who lost their lives when she sank at sea. Located at Soo Locks, Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, USA.
Waymark Code: WMEKKR
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 06/10/2012
Views: 7
"This monument is a large propeller painted black set on a tapered concrete base. The propeller measures approximately six feet in diameter. The concrete base measures approximately six feet in length and three feet in width and two feet in height.
The monument is located at the intersection of the two curving walkways between the Visitors Center and the east entrance and is set in a small planting island in a bed of low-growing Junipers. This monument would be considered a maritime monument" :- (
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The plaque reads:–
"THE INDEPENDENCE WAS A 118 FOOT LONG, 262 TON
| SCHOONER-RIGGED STEAMSHIP BUILT IN CHICAGO
FOR | TRADE TRANSPORT ON LAKE SUPERIOR. THE
INDEPENDENCE | WAS THE FIRST STEAMSHIP TO PLY
TRADE ON LAKE SUPERIOR. | PURCHASED BY S.
McKNIGHT AND COMPANY IN 1844, SHE WAS |
HAULED OVERLAND ON GREASED WAYS UP
PORTAGE AVENUE | AND LAUNCHED IN THE UPPER
ST. MARYS RIVER WHERE SHE | DELIVERED MEN,
MACHINERY, AND SUPPLIES TO THE MINING | CAMPS
OF MICHIGAN’S UPPER PENINSULA, RETURNING WITH
| BARRELS OF ORE. THE INDEPENDENCE SUNK IN
THE UPPER | ST. MARYS RIVER ONE MILE FROM THE
DOCK ON NOVEMBER 22, | 1853 WHEN HER BOILER
BURST, BLOWING THE SHIP TO PIECES. |
MIRACULOUSLY, ONLY FOUR PEOPLE LOST THEIR
LIVES."
(
visit link)