Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: TEMPEST (also known as TEMPEST No. 1)
• Official Number: 24940
• Type at Loss: Propeller, Wood, Bulk Freight (“Rabbit” type freighter)
• Builder: D. Lester, Marine City, Michigan
• Year Built: 1872
• Specifications: Length: 159 ft (48.46 m) Beam: 30 ft (9.14 m) Depth: 13 ft (3.96 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 412 tons
• Net Tonnage: 341 tons
• Engine: 575 horsepower steam engine (screw propeller-driven)
• Date Lost: August 27, 1918
• Cause: Leakage and Foundering in Storm
• Place of Loss: 20 miles off Erie, Pennsylvania, Lake Erie
• Cargo: Coal
• Loss of Life: 1 fatality (out of an unspecified crew count)
• Vessel in Tow: J.I. CASE (Schooner)

Vessel Type

The TEMPEST was a wooden bulk freight Steamer, commonly referred to as a “rabbit” type freighter, a term often used to describe smaller, fast, and agile lake freighters designed for hauling bulk cargoes such as coal, grain, and iron ore. Unlike larger steel-hulled ships that dominated the Great Lakes in the early 20th century, vessels like the TEMPESTwere economical for short-haul routes, particularly during the transition from sail to steam.

Her 575-horsepower engine gave her the necessary power to tow other vessels, as was the case during her final voyage with the Schooner J.I. CASE in tow.

Description

Built in 1872 by D. Lester of Marine City, Michigan, the TEMPEST measured 159 feet in length with a beam of 30 feetand a depth of 13 feet. Despite being constructed of wood, she was fitted with a powerful screw propeller-driven steam engine capable of generating 575 horsepower, making her efficient for both independent navigation and towing operations.

Her design was typical of bulk freighters of the 1870s, optimized for handling heavy loads of coal, lumber, and other industrial goods vital to the rapidly expanding industries of the Great Lakes region.

History

Throughout her service life, the TEMPEST played a crucial role in the movement of bulk goods across the Great Lakes. Operating primarily out of Chicago, she frequently hauled coal, a hazardous cargo due to its propensity for spontaneous combustion and the stress it placed on wooden hulls when loaded in large quantities.

The vessel’s robust design allowed her to endure the harsh conditions of the lakes, but like many wooden steamers of her era, she faced increasing challenges from both the elements and the aging of her wooden structure, particularly as steel-hulled vessels became more common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Final Disposition

On August 27, 1918, while towing the Schooner J.I. CASE on Lake Erie, the TEMPEST encountered heavy weatherapproximately 20 miles off the coast of Erie, Pennsylvania. Battling rough seas and high winds, she developed a leak—likely due to structural fatigue exacerbated by the storm’s intensity.

Despite efforts to control the flooding, the leak overwhelmed her Bilge pumps, and the vessel began to founder. The crew attempted emergency measures, but the combination of rough seas and the rapid influx of water made saving the ship impossible. Tragically, one crew member was lost during the incident, while the remaining crew managed to abandon ship safely.

The TEMPEST sank quickly beneath the turbulent waters of Lake Erie, taking with her the heavy load of coal she was carrying. The Schooner J.I. CASE, still in tow at the time, survived the ordeal.

Located By & Date Found

• Status: No formal discovery or documentation of the wreck site has been confirmed.

• Potential Location: Approximately 20 miles offshore from Erie, Pennsylvania, Lake Erie.

• Coordinates: Not publicly available; potential for future discovery due to increasing sonar and underwater exploration activities in Lake Erie.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• Obstructions: No current navigational hazards reported in the area specific to the TEMPEST wreck.

• Advisories: Mariners are generally advised to exercise caution when navigating offshore areas with historical shipwreck activity, especially near Erie, PA, where numerous wrecks from the 19th and early 20th centuries are known to exist.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Maritime History Project

• Great Lakes Vessel Database (BGSU)

• David Swayze’s Shipwreck File

• Historic Collection of Great Lakes Shipwrecks (HCGL)

• Maritime Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston

• NOAA Great Lakes Shipwreck Database

Conclusion

The loss of the TEMPEST in 1918 highlights the persistent dangers faced by Great Lakes mariners, even in the relatively modern era of steam-powered vessels. Despite her robust construction and powerful engine, the combination of heavy weather, structural fatigue, and the inherent vulnerabilities of wooden-hulled ships led to her tragic sinking.

Her story is part of the broader narrative of the Great Lakes’ maritime history—a time when the transition from wood to steel was reshaping the industry, yet many older vessels continued to operate under increasingly hazardous conditions. The conflicting reports about the incident, including discrepancies in casualty counts, reflect the challenges of record-keeping during this era.

Today, the TEMPEST remains one of Lake Erie’s many undiscovered wrecks, her final resting place a silent testament to the lives lost and the resilience of those who sailed the inland seas.