Philadelphia (1868, Package Freighter)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Philadelphia
• Year Built: 1868
• Official Number: 20142
• Vessel Type: Package Freighter (designed for carrying general merchandise and smaller cargoes).
• Hull Material: Iron (second metal freighter built on the Great Lakes).
• Builder: David Bell, Buffalo, NY
• Original Owner: J.C. & E.T. Evans Co., Buffalo, NY
• Specifications Length: 71.93 metres (236 feet) Beam: 10.45 metres (34.3 feet) Depth: 4.27 metres (14 feet)
• Gross Tonnage: 1,436.6
• Net Tonnage: 1,230.15
• Cargo Capacity: 1,600 tons
• Propulsion & Power Propulsion: Single screw propeller
• Engine Type: Low-pressure, 400 horsepower
• Cylinders: 2
• Boilers: 1, built by David Bell in Buffalo
• Propeller: 11-foot diameter
• Machinery Notes: Engine and boiler by Shepard Iron Works, Buffalo, NY.

Service History

1868: Built and enrolled in Buffalo, NY. As the second metal-hulled freighter on the Great Lakes, it marked a significant step in maritime innovation. 1873, July 4: Struck a rock at the head of Lake Erie and sank in 16 feet of water. Refloated July 19. 1875: Repaired and completely overhauled.1884, April 6: Underwent a complete Rebuild, including the installation of two steel boilers. 1891, November 30: Sank in the Detroit River. 1892, April 7: Repaired at Springwells Dry Dock, Detroit, including Hull and machinery overhauls. The bottom was sheathed with 4-inch oak planking, end to end. 1893, May 15: Grounded near Two Harbors, Minnesota, suffering a hole in her bow. Repaired again.

Final Voyage & Sinking

• Date: November 7, 1893
• Location: 7 miles northeast of Point Aux Barques, Michigan, in Lake Huron.
• Cause: A collision with the propeller freighter Albany during poor Visibility.
• Final Cargo: Coal and other merchandise.
• Casualties: Tragically, 24 lives were lost, including members of both the Philadelphia and Albany crews.

Wreck Details

Final Depth: Approximately 38 metres (124 feet).

Wreck Discovery: Located in 1973 by John Steele, a renowned Great Lakes wreck hunter.

Significance

The Philadelphia was one of the earliest iron-hulled freighters on the Great Lakes, representing the transition from wooden vessels to more durable metal construction. Its multiple sinkings, repairs, and eventual loss highlight the risks faced by 19th-century Great Lakes shipping, particularly in an era when storms, navigation challenges, and collisions were common.

Resources & Links

For additional research and details about the Philadelphia:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes  http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Link
• Great Lakes Historical Society Contains archives on historic vessels, including package freighters.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Bowling Green State University Database
• Wreck Divers Information – Local dive shops and wreck researchers in Michigan may have dive maps or records of the Philadelphia.
• 3DShipwrecks – Philadelphia
• Great Lakes Ships – Philadelphia
• Wikipedia – Point Aux Barques

3D Model – Philadelphia

Philadelphia by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

Conclusion

The collision between the ALBANY and PHILADELPHIA is a poignant reminder of the perils faced by early mariners on the Great Lakes. Their loss remains a subject of intrigue for historians and divers, offering insight into the challenges of 19th-century maritime commerce. The wrecks rest as silent witnesses to one of Lake Huron’s most tragic shipping disasters.