Identification & Site Information

• Name: George J. Whelan
• Former Names:
  • Erwin L. Fisher (1910, original name)
  • Port de Caen (1915, British Registry)
  • Bayersher (1922, French Registry)
  • Claremont (1923, Canadian Registry)
• Official Registration Number: 207617
• Date Built and Launched: Built in 1910 by Toledo Shipbuilding Company, Toledo, Ohio (Hull #117)
• Measurements: 220 ft (67.1 m) length x 40 ft (12.2 m) beam x 17 ft (5.2 m) depth; 1,430 tons
• Date Lost: July 29, 1930
• Place of Loss: 6 miles off Dunkirk, New York, Lake Erie

Vessel Type

The George J. Whelan was a steel-hulled, propeller-driven bulk freight Sandsucker, a vessel used for dredging and transporting bulk materials such as sand and stone. The vessel underwent numerous name changes and rebuilds throughout its career, reflecting its varied service history. Constructed in 1910 by the Toledo Shipbuilding Company, the vessel began life as the Erwin L. Fisher, a bulk freighter designed for heavy cargo transport. Over its career, the ship was modified for various purposes, including war service during World War I and later as a sandsucker on the Great Lakes.

History

The George J. Whelan had an exceptionally eventful and tumultuous career, marked by multiple sinkings, recoveries, and name changes.

• Early Service and Initial Sinking (1911): As the Erwin L. Fisher, the vessel was involved in a collision with the Steamer Steven Clement in the Detroit River in May 1911. The impact caused the Fisher to sink, resulting in the deaths of three crew members. The vessel was later raised and repaired.
• World War I Service and Torpedoing (1915-1918): In 1915, the vessel was renamed Port de Caen under British registry and repurposed for war service, transporting salt and other materials for the Allied war effort. During this period, the vessel was either mined or torpedoed off the East Coast in 1918. Despite the damage, the vessel was raised and Rebuilt, demonstrating the durability of her steel Hull.
• Post-War Service and Return to the Great Lakes (1919-1930) After being raised and repaired, the ship returned to the Great Lakes in 1919. She was renamed Bayersher under French registry in 1922 and later became Claremont under Canadian registry in 1923. By 1930, the vessel had been Rebuilt as a Sandsucker and renamed George J. Whelan.
• Final Voyage and Sinking (1930): On July 29, 1930, while transporting a cargo of stone on Lake Erie, approximately 6 miles off Dunkirk, New York, the vessel encountered rough conditions. The cargo shifted, destabilizing the ship and causing her to capsize and founder quickly. The rapid sinking resulted in the tragic loss of 15 crew members. The sudden nature of the capsizing, typical of cargo shift incidents, left little time for the crew to react or deploy lifeboats.

Loss of Life

The final sinking of the George J. Whelan resulted in the loss of 15 lives, making it one of the more tragic shipwrecks on Lake Erie in the early 20th century. The earlier 1911 collision in the Detroit River had already claimed three crew members, bringing the total number of lives lost during the vessel’s career to 18.

Final Disposition

The George J. Whelan lies submerged in 55 feet of water off Dunkirk, New York. Given the catastrophic nature of the capsizing and the depth at which the wreck rests, no significant salvage efforts were recorded after the 1930 sinking.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No specific navigational warnings or obstructions related to the George J. Whelan have been issued, though the area off Dunkirk remains a point of interest for divers and maritime historians.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The George J. Whelan’s storied career highlights the perilous nature of maritime life in the early 20th century, both in wartime and commercial service. From collisions on the Detroit River to torpedoing during World War I, and finally to her tragic capsizing on Lake Erie, the vessel’s history is marked by repeated incidents of loss and recovery. The vessel’s final loss, with 15 lives claimed by a cargo shift, underscores the constant dangers faced by Great Lakes mariners, particularly those operating Sandsucker and bulk carriers. The George J. Whelan serves as a poignant reminder of the risks inherent in maritime transport and the resilience of those who worked aboard such vessels.

Suggested Keywords: George J. Whelan, Dunkirk NY shipwrecks, Lake Erie Sandsucker, cargo shift capsizing, World War I Great Lakes Ships, Erwin L. Fisher, Detroit River collisions.

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Erie, Great Lakes Sandsuckers, Maritime Disasters of the Great Lakes, World War I Maritime History.

Glossary Terms: Sandsucker, Cargo Shift, Capsizing, Torpedoed Vessel, Bulk Stone Transport.