IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: Chester A. Congdon (formerly Salt Lake City)
• Vessel Type: Steel Bulk Freighter
• Built: 1907 by Chicago Ship Building Co., South Chicago, Illinois
• Original Owner: Holmes Steamship Company, Cleveland, Ohio
• Dimensions:
• Length: 532 feet (162 meters)
• Beam: 56 feet (17 meters)
• Draft: 26 feet (8 meters)
• Engine: 1,765-horsepower triple-expansion steam engine
• Boilers: Two Scotch boilers
• Final Disposition: Wrecked on November 6, 1918, on Congdon Shoal near Isle Royale, Lake Superior
• Wreck Location: Isle Royale, Lake Superior
• Bow Section: 70’ to 110’ depth, Coordinates: 48°11.559’N, 88°30.815’W
• Stern Section: 20’ to 220’ depth, Coordinates: 48°11.620’N, 88°30.881’W

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Chester A. Congdon, originally launched as the Salt Lake City, was a steel bulk freighter purpose-built for transporting large quantities of bulk cargo across the Great Lakes. With its immense size and robust design, the vessel embodied the industrial ambitions of its era, serving as a vital component of the grain and iron ore trade.

After being acquired and renamed in 1912, the freighter became a symbol of modern shipping capabilities, with its reliable triple-expansion steam engine and advanced features ensuring efficient voyages across the often perilous Great Lakes.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Years

Built in 1907, the freighter began its service under the Holmes Steamship Company before transitioning to Acme Transit Company and eventually the Continental Steamship Company in 1912. Renamed the Chester A. Congdon in honor of Duluth lawyer and industrialist Chester Adgate Congdon, the vessel became a vital link in transporting grain and other commodities from the Midwest to markets beyond the Great Lakes.

Minor Mishaps

Despite its prominence, the vessel experienced minor groundings in 1912 and 1915, which served as precursors to its eventual demise.

The Final Voyage

On November 6, 1918, the Chester A. Congdon departed from Thunder Bay, Ontario, carrying 380,000 bushels of wheat. Dense fog near Canoe Rocks proved fatal, leading to the freighter’s grounding on what would later be called Congdon Shoal. While the crew evacuated safely and salvage attempts began, a fierce storm on November 8 tore the vessel in two, sending it to the lake’s depths.

Significance

• The wreck became the first on Lake Superior to exceed a $1 million valuation, representing the largest loss of its time in both dollar value and Net Tonnage.

• Salvage operations recovered only 20% of the cargo, emphasizing the magnitude of the loss.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Chester A. Congdon now rests in two sections near Isle Royale, Lake Superior:

• Bow Section: Lying upright in depths of 70–110 feet (21–34 meters), with the intact pilot house providing an extraordinary diving experience.

• Stern Section: Situated in deeper waters, ranging from 20–220 feet (6–67 meters), posing a challenge for advanced divers.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

Divers and mariners near Isle Royale should be aware of the wreck site. The bow section, located in shallower waters, is a popular dive spot, while the Stern’s deeper location requires advanced diving skills. The site is part of the Isle Royale National Park, and divers must adhere to park regulations.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck remains remarkably preserved, particularly the bow, which allows divers to explore the pilot house and other features. The deeper Stern section is less accessible but offers unique opportunities for exploration. The site is a prominent destination for maritime historians and diving enthusiasts alike.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• • Maritime History of the Great Lakes – Comprehensive database of historical records related to Great Lakes shipwrecks.
• • David Swayze Shipwreck File – Detailed accounts of the Chester A. Congdon’s final voyage and subsequent salvage attempts.
• • NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary – Guidelines for responsible exploration of Great Lakes shipwrecks.
• • Isle Royale National Park – Regulations and diving permits for exploring wrecks near Isle Royale.

3D Model – Chester A. Congdon

Chester A. Congdon Bow – Lake Superior by BeckyKaganSchott on Sketchfab

CONCLUSION

The Chester A. Congdon stands as a monumental chapter in the history of Lake Superior’s maritime trade. Its dramatic loss during a dense fog and subsequent storm underscores the perilous conditions faced by Great Lakes freighters in the early 20th century. Today, the wreck serves as both a somber reminder of these risks and a captivating dive site, preserving the legacy of this once-majestic freighter.

KEYWORDS

Chester A. Congdon, Salt Lake City, Lake Superior shipwrecks, Isle Royale, Great Lakes maritime history, freighter wrecks, Congdon Shoal, advanced dive site, early 20th-century shipping.