Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

Vessel Type

The CAYUGA was a steel-hulled package freighter, designed to transport bulk goods and general merchandise efficiently across the Great Lakes. As one of the most advanced vessels of her time, she showcased the transition from wooden hulls to steel construction, with enhanced durability and cargo capacity. Constructed in 1889 by the renowned Globe Iron Works of Cleveland, Ohio, the CAYUGA represented the pinnacle of late 19th-century Great Lakes shipbuilding. Designed as a package freighter, she was intended for carrying a mix of general cargo, grains, and packaged goods along major routes between Buffalo, Chicago, and Gladstone, Michigan.

Her triple expansion steam engine was state-of-the-art, featuring:

• Cylinders: 24.38”, 38”, & 61” with a 42” stroke
• horsepower: 1,500 HP at 85 RPM
• Boilers: Three Scotch boilers (11’10” x 12’) operating at 160 psi
• Propulsion: Single screw propeller

The ship had two decks, and her steel construction featured a double bottom, providing additional safety in case of grounding or collision. She was considered one of the finest vessels of the Lehigh Valley Transit Co.’s fleet and was highly regarded for her strength and cargo-handling efficiency.

History

The CAYUGA had a relatively short but eventful career:

• 1889: Launched in April and entered service on the package freight route between Buffalo, Chicago, and Gladstone, MI.
• 1890 (April 10): Stranded on a shoal in Buffalo Harbor; freed by six tugs but sustained damage to her rudder, propeller blades, and lost her shoe, though the Hull remained intact.
• 1891 (November): Collision with the Steamer DELAWARE off Cheboygan, Michigan.
• 1895: Final voyage, ending in a fatal collision with the JOSEPH L. HURD.

Final Disposition

On May 10, 1895, during heavy fog conditions near Skillagalee Light in Lake Michigan, the CAYUGA, heavily laden with 38,000 bushels of oats and 1,500 tons of flour, collided with the Steamer JOSEPH L. HURD, which was carrying lumber.

Collision Details:

• Time: Around 4:30 AM
• Conditions: Dense fog, limited Visibility
• Location: Midway between Skillagalee and Waugoshance Lights
• Impact: The HURD struck the CAYUGA on her starboard side, just aft of the Bulkhead, tearing a 6 ft deep, 2 ft wide hole in the steel Hull.
• Sinking: The CAYUGA filled rapidly and sank within 25 minutes.

Casualties:

• Crew: 30 men aboard
• Loss of Life: One fatality — George Johnston, the cook of the HURD, who was knocked overboard and drowned.
• Rescue: The Steamer MANOLA rescued the remaining crew from both vessels.

While the JOSEPH L. HURD remained afloat due to her lumber cargo, the CAYUGA disappeared beneath 98 feet (30 m) of water in Lake Michigan.

Wreck Recovery Attempts

Between 1896 and 1899, renowned Great Lakes wrecker Captain James Reid led multiple salvage efforts:

1896-1899: Reid attempted to raise the wreck using pontoons, cables, and scows, but the depth (~100 ft) and the ship’s size posed extreme challenges.

Challenges:

• Harsh lake conditions
• Deep-water diving limitations
• Structural instability of the wreck

Reid nearly lost his life in an incident during an 1899 dive, leading to the abandonment of salvage operations.

Wreck Site Information

• Location: Lake Michigan, near Skillagalee Light
• GPS Coordinates: 45° 43.239’ N, 85° 11.401’ W
• Depth: 98 ft (30 m)

Wreck Description:

• The Hull is partially intact, though broken in areas
• The vessel rests on her port side
• Bow, Stern, Deck structures, and machinery are still visible
• Key Features: Triple expansion steam engine
• Three boilers
• Propeller, rudder, and Deck winches
• Salvage pontoons and a wrecking Barge from past recovery attempts

NOTMARs & Advisories

• No official obstructions noted, but divers should exercise caution due to:
• Depth-related risks
• Possible entanglement hazards from salvage cables and debris
• Strong currents around the wreck site

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Vessels Database – Bowling Green State University
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• 3D Shipwrecks – CAYUGA Wreck Visualization
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Dossin Great Lakes Museum

Conclusion

The CAYUGA was a cutting-edge freighter of her time, symbolizing the evolution of Great Lakes shipping with her steel Hull and powerful triple expansion engine. Despite her short service life, her tragic sinking in 1895 and the daring yet unsuccessful salvage attempts have left a lasting legacy in Great Lakes maritime history. Today, her wreck remains a popular site for advanced divers and maritime historians, offering a remarkable window into the past beneath the waters of Lake Michigan.

3D Model – Cayuga

Cayuga by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

NOAA Shipwreck Record Card