Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Raleigh
• Official Number: 110154
• Vessel Type: Steam Screw Vessel
• Built By: Shipbuilders in Cleveland, Ohio
• Place of Construction: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
• Year Built: 1871
• Home Port: Detroit, Michigan, USA
• Dimensions & Capacity:
• Gross Tonnage: 1,205 tons
• Crew Size: 12
• Final Resting Place: Lake Erie, approximately 5 miles (8 km) east of Port Colborne, Ontario
• GPS Coordinates 42° 51.900′  N 079° 09.233′ W
• Discovered by the Royal Ontario Museum in 1975

Chronological History

Construction and Early Service (1871):

• Built in Cleveland, Ohio, the Raleigh was designed for freight service on the Great Lakes, reflecting the demands of an expanding industrial economy in the late 19th century.

Operational Incidents and Rebuilds:

• • The vessel encountered numerous mishaps throughout its career:
• • Struck a reef and sank during one voyage.
• • Forced aground on multiple occasions due to challenging Great Lakes conditions.
• • Suffered significant damage from ice, a common hazard for vessels of its era.
• • Despite these setbacks, the Raleigh underwent several repairs and rebuilds, allowing it to remain in service for four decades.

Ownership Changes:

• The Raleigh changed hands multiple times, highlighting its durability and adaptability despite repeated incidents.

Final Voyage and Sinking (November 30, 1911):

• • During a severe storm on Thanksgiving Day, the Raleigh’s rudder failed, rendering the ship uncontrollable in heavy seas.
• • The ship broke in two approximately 5 miles east of Port Colborne, Ontario.
• • Captain Harry Beauvais and the crew faced harrowing conditions:
• • The first lifeboat capsized near shore, but its occupants were rescued by onlookers.
• • The second lifeboat, carrying Captain Beauvais and others, was hit by massive waves, resulting in the loss of Mr. and Mrs. Wise.
• • Crew member Pritchard refused to leave the vessel, believing the lifesavers would reach him. He tragically went down with the ship as the Stern sank.

Final Disposition

The Raleigh sank on November 30, 1911, with the loss of three lives, including Mr. and Mrs. Wise and Pritchard. The vessel’s history serves as a testament to the resilience of Great Lakes mariners and the perils they faced in pursuit of their livelihoods.

Discovery and Current Condition

Discovery: The wreck of the Raleigh was located in 1975 by the Royal Ontario Museum.

Condition: Flattened and broken due to years underwater, yet significant parts of the propulsion machinery remain visible:

• • Firebox boilers
• • Steeple compound engine
• • Air pump
• • Windlass
• • Deck winches
• • Rudder
• • Capstans
• The wreck offers insights into 19th-century Great Lakes engineering and serves as an important site for historical preservation and underwater exploration.

Legacy and Significance

The Raleigh’s story exemplifies the challenges of Great Lakes navigation, marked by dramatic weather, mechanical failures, and human determination. Its wreckage serves as both a memorial to those who perished and a tribute to the sailors who braved these waters. Today, it continues to draw the interest of historians, divers, and maritime enthusiasts.

External Links and Resources

• Royal Ontario Museum: Documentation of the Raleigh’s discovery and artifacts.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website: Comprehensive records of Great Lakes shipwrecks.
• Department of Transport, Canada: Reports of wrecks and casualties, including the Raleigh.
• C. Patrick Labadie Collection: Detailed historical records of Great Lakes vessels and incidents.
• 3DShipwrecks – Raleigh

Conclusion

The wreck of the Raleigh is a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of the Great Lakes and the courage of those who sailed them. Though its physical form has diminished, the ship’s legacy endures, offering a window into the past and a story of human endurance in the face of overwhelming odds.

3D Model of the RALEIGH