Identification & Site Information

• Name: ANDASTE
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 106926
• Type at Loss: Propeller-driven, steel-hulled, self-unloading sandsucker
• Date Built and Launched: 1892
• Builder: Cleveland Shipbuilding Co., Cleveland, Ohio (Hull #16)
• Measurements:
• Original Specs: 267 ft (81.4 m) length, 38 ft (11.6 m) beam, 18 ft (5.5 m) depth; 1,574 gross tons, 1,256 net tons
• Modified Specs (Post-1920-21): 246 ft (75 m) length after being shortened, 38 ft (11.6 m) beam, 18 ft (5.5 m) depth; 1,439 gross tons, 1,121 net tons
• Date Lost: September 9, 1929
• Place of Loss: Approximately 14 miles (22.5 km) west of Holland, Michigan
• Lake: Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Self-Unloading Sandsucker (Propeller-driven, steel-hulled)

Description

The ANDASTE was a steel-hulled sandsucker designed for the transport of gravel and similar bulk materials. Her self-unloading mechanism made her a valuable asset for the Andaste Steamship Co., especially in the booming construction industry around the Great Lakes during the early 20th century. The vessel was originally built to larger dimensions but was later modified to meet changing logistical requirements, particularly to navigate the Welland Canal.

History

Launched in 1892 by the Cleveland Shipbuilding Co. in Cleveland, Ohio, the ANDASTE was a sister ship to the semi-Whaleback CHOCTAW, sharing a similar Hull design that combined traditional freighter lines with the unique characteristics of a Whaleback ship. Her original length of 267 feet (81.4 m) was reduced by 20 feet (6.1 m) in 1920-1921 to enable her to pass through the Welland Canal, reflecting the adaptive nature of Great Lakes shipping companies to evolving infrastructure and trade routes.

On September 9, 1929, while transporting a load of gravel from Grand Haven, Michigan, to Chicago, the ANDASTE disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The vessel was last sighted approximately 14 miles west of Holland, Michigan. The loss of all 25 crew members suggests a sudden catastrophic event, although the exact cause remains unknown. Overloading has been speculated as a contributing factor, but no definitive evidence has surfaced. The ship was owned by the Andaste Steamship Co. at the time of her disappearance.

Despite search efforts, the ANDASTE was never located, and her fate remains one of the many unsolved maritime mysteries of the Great Lakes. The tragedy underscores the perils faced by freighters on Lake Michigan, where sudden storms, shifting cargo, or structural failures could lead to devastating losses.

Final Disposition

Presumed sunk; the wreck has never been located.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—the wreck of the ANDASTE remains undiscovered as of the latest available information.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no navigational advisories or obstructions are currently noted in relation to the ANDASTE‘s last known location.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Shipwreck Stories

Conclusion

The disappearance of the ANDASTE is a poignant reminder of the unpredictable dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes. As a vessel that had been modified to extend her service life and adaptability, her sudden loss without a trace highlights the potential vulnerabilities in even well-constructed ships. While overloading is a suspected cause, the absence of concrete evidence has left room for speculation and mystery. The ANDASTE‘s story is emblematic of the many unsolved shipwrecks that continue to intrigue historians and divers alike, and her resting place remains one of Lake Michigan‘s enduring maritime enigmas.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: ANDASTE shipwreck, Lake Michigan missing freighter, Holland Michigan shipwreck, Great Lakes sandsucker, Andaste Steamship Co., self-unloading freighters
• Categories: Missing Ships of the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Unlocated Wrecks, 1929 Maritime Disasters, Self-Unloading Vessels
• Glossary Terms:
• Sandsucker: A type of ship designed for the transport and self-unloading of sand, gravel, and other bulk materials.
• Welland Canal: A canal connecting Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, part of the St. Lawrence Seaway, requiring vessels to meet specific size restrictions for passage.
• Semi-Whaleback: A ship design combining characteristics of traditional freighters with the rounded Hull features typical of Whaleback ships, designed for efficiency and stability on rough waters.