Identification & Site Information

• Name: Queen of the West
• Former Names: None
• Official Registration Number: 20580
• Date Built and Launched: 1881, by W. Crosthwaite, Bay City, Michigan
• Measurements: Length: 215 ft (65.5 m) Beam: 33 ft (10.1 m) Depth: 17 ft (5.2 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 819 tons
• Net Tonnage: 625 tons
• Date of Loss: August 20, 1903
• Place of Loss: 10 miles off Fairport, Ohio
• Lake: Erie

Vessel Type

The Queen of the West was a wooden-hulled propeller freighter designed for bulk freight transport on the Great Lakes. Built primarily to carry iron ore, she was part of the growing fleet of bulk freighters in the late 19th century that supported the industrial expansion of the Midwest.

Description

Constructed in 1881 by W. Crosthwaite in Bay City, Michigan, the Queen of the West was a 215-foot wooden propeller-driven freighter. With a beam of 33 feet and a depth of 17 feet, she had a Gross Tonnage of 819 and a Net Tonnage of 625. Her design reflected the typical characteristics of Great Lakes bulk freighters of the period—sturdy, functional vessels optimized for transporting heavy cargoes like iron ore and coal.

The vessel was commanded by Captain S.B. Massey and frequently operated routes between iron ore ports such as Escanaba, Michigan, and industrial centers like Erie, Pennsylvania. Her role in transporting iron ore was critical in supplying steel mills that fueled the industrial boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

History and Service Life

Bulk Freight Carrier (1881–1903): For over two decades, the Queen of the West transported iron ore across the Great Lakes, primarily between Escanaba and Erie, Pennsylvania. These routes were integral to the iron and steel industry, which depended on a steady supply of raw materials from Lake Superior ports.

Typical Operations: As a wooden-hulled bulk freighter, the Queen of the West was part of a transitional period in Great Lakes shipping. While steel-hulled vessels were becoming increasingly common by the late 1800s, many wooden freighters like the Queen of the West remained in service due to their lower construction costs and the availability of timber in Michigan.

Final Disposition and Loss (1903)

• Cause of Loss: Hull Failure
• Date of Loss: August 20, 1903
• Location: 10 miles off Fairport, Ohio, Lake Erie

On August 20, 1903, while en route from Escanaba, Michigan, to Erie, Pennsylvania, with a load of iron ore, the Queen of the West sprang a leak aft during a mild blow on Lake Erie. The vessel’s Hull failure was due to structural fatigue from years of carrying heavy loads of iron ore, a common issue for wooden bulk freighters of the time.

To slow the leak, the crew kept the vessel under power, hoping to reach safety. During this process, the steamer Codorus arrived to assist. Both vessels maintained full speed ahead to stabilize the Queen of the West, allowing the transfer of her crew to the Codorus. However, during this risky transfer, one crew member perished.

Despite the efforts, the Queen of the West Foundered and sank 10 miles off Fairport, Ohio. The vessel’s enrollment was officially surrendered at Cleveland on December 8, 1903, marking the formal end of her service.

Loss of Life

1 Casualty: One crew member died during the transfer from the Queen of the West to the Codorus, highlighting the dangerous conditions involved in maritime rescues, even in relatively calm weather.

Final Disposition

The Queen of the West was declared a Total Loss following her sinking due to Hull failure. The wreck remained undisturbed for over 80 years until it was located in 1986.

Wreck Discovery and Current Status

• Wreck Location: The Queen of the West was discovered in 1986, approximately 10 miles off Fairport, Ohio, in Lake Erie.
• Condition of the Wreck: The wreck lies in deep water and is believed to be reasonably well-preserved due to the cold, fresh waters of Lake Erie, which slow the decomposition of wooden hulls. The vessel’s iron ore cargo and propeller may still be visible at the site.
• Diving and Exploration: The site has drawn interest from shipwreck divers and maritime historians, though conditions in Lake Erie can be challenging due to variable Visibility and depth.

Historical Significance

Transition from Wooden to Steel Freighters: The Queen of the West represents a transitional period in Great Lakes shipping, where wooden-hulled freighters continued to operate alongside newer steel-hulled vessels. Her loss due to Hull failure underscores the limitations of wooden construction in handling the heavy stresses of bulk cargo transport over time.

Importance in the Iron Ore Trade: The vessel’s role in transporting iron ore from Escanaba to Erie, Pennsylvania, highlights the critical importance of Great Lakes shipping in supporting the steel industry that fueled the industrialization of the Midwest and Northeastern United States.

Maritime Safety and Rescue: The circumstances of her sinking, particularly the death of a crew member during the transfer to the Codorus, emphasize the risks faced by mariners even in non-severe weather. The coordination between vessels during emergencies was essential, though dangerous and unpredictable.

Located By & Date Found

• Wreck Located: 1986
• Location: 10 miles off Fairport, Ohio, Lake Erie

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no current navigational hazards related to the Queen of the West wreck site. However, as with many Great Lakes shipwrecks, the site may be of interest to divers and maritime researchers, warranting careful navigation in the area.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Maritime Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Lake Erie Divers Club
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum 
• NOAA Great Lakes Wrecks

Conclusion

The Queen of the West, a wooden-hulled propeller freighter built in 1881 by W. Crosthwaite in Bay City, Michigan, served as a vital link in the iron ore supply chain that fueled the industrial boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her sinking due to Hull failure in 1903 off Fairport, Ohio, underscores the risks inherent in wooden ship construction and the challenging conditions of Great Lakes shipping.

Her rediscovery in 1986 adds to the rich maritime history of Lake Erie, offering a window into the past for divers, historians, and maritime enthusiasts alike.

Suggested Keywords: Queen of the West freighter, Lake Erie shipwrecks, Great Lakes iron ore transport, W. Crosthwaite Bay City shipbuilders, Great Lakes bulk freighters, wooden Hull freighter shipwrecks.

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Erie, Great Lakes Freighters, Maritime Disasters in Ohio, 19th Century Industrial Shipping.

Glossary Terms: Propeller Freighter, Hull Failure, Iron Ore Transport, Fairport Ohio Shipwrecks, Great Lakes Maritime History.