This story started with a Shorpy picture from Nov. 3, 2011, photo of the Frank E, Kirby. "Toledo, Ohio, circa 1910. Sidwewheeler Frank R. Kirby at steam landing."
From the Mind of James Donahue Blog.
I'm always interested in stories about less famous ships such as the Dover.
Fire swept a number of Great Lakes vessels laid up for the winter at Ecorse, Michigan, in 1932.
The Dover was one of them, originally named the Frank E. Kirby, a familiar sight on the Great Lakes for 42 years.
Launched in 1890, the steel-hulled sidewheeler was designed for passenger service and named after the 19th century ship architect Frank E. Kirby. The 196-foot long Ashley & Dustin Steamer Line made regular trips from Detroit to Sanduskey, Ohio, with stops at Put-In-Bay, Middle Bass Island and Kelley's Island (three places I am very familiar with).
It was eventually renamed Silver Spray and later the Dover.
While it was the Dover, it was in two fires. The first was February 2, 1929 while laid up next to the steamer Erie. Both were damaged, but rebuilt and restored to service.
The second and final fire destroyed the Dover and several other ships at Ecorse in 1932.
Its remains were scrapped, but engine taken to Greenfield Village for display and it was later scrapped during World War II.
I was unable to find a picture of the ship, however.
Wonder What It Looked Like? Never Mind. Found It. --Cooter
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