Type: Propeller Vessel (Later Rigged as a Schooner)

Dimensions:

• • Original (1863): 201 ft (61.26 m) length, 30.16 ft (9.2 m) beam, 12.5 ft (3.81 m) depth; Gross Tonnage: 729.10
• • Rebuilt (1865): 198.5 ft (60.48 m) length, 29.5 ft (8.99 m) beam, 13 ft (3.96 m) depth; Gross Tonnage: 956.82
• • Final Rig (1882): 197.58 ft (60.22 m) length, 31.16 ft (9.5 m) beam, 11.25 ft (3.43 m) depth; Gross Tonnage: 549.42, Net Tonnage: 521.95
• Construction Year: 1863

Builder: Cleveland, Ohio

Final Location: Scuttled off Cleveland, Ohio, in 1927

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• • Registered Name: METEOR (originally BLOOM, NELSON)
• • Official Number: 17570
• • Primary Use: Cargo transport
• • Final Status: Abandoned and scuttled in 1927
• HISTORY

Construction and Rebuilds:

• Initial Construction (1863): Designed as a robust propeller vessel for Great Lakes cargo transport.

• Rebuilt in 1865: Modified measurements increased tonnage to accommodate changing operational needs.

• Rig Conversion (1882): Converted to a Schooner rig in Port Huron, Michigan, to reduce operational costs, coinciding with declining demand for steam propulsion.

Key Incidents:

1. Collision with PEWABIC (August 9, 1865):

• Location: Thunder Bay, Lake Huron.

• Event: A collision caused the PEWABIC to sink; the METEOR sustained damage but continued to Sault Ste. Marie.

• Fire Incident (August 11, 1865):

• Cargo leakage ignited lime onboard, leading to a fire while docked at the Soo Locks.

• Scuttled in the Lock to extinguish the fire and later repaired in Detroit.

2. Fire at Buckley’s Dock (June 7, 1873):

• Location: Detroit, Michigan.

• Event: Caught fire, burned, and sank at the dock.

• Salvage: Raised in September 1875 and machinery and Hull sold at auction in 1876.

3. Final Years (1925–1927):

• Endorsement: Marked as “Abandoned” in Detroit, Michigan, in 1925.

• Scuttling: The Hull was intentionally sunk off Cleveland, Ohio, in 1927 to clear space or dispose of the vessel.

FINAL DISPOSITION

• Cause of Loss: Deliberately scuttled after being Abandoned.

• Final Resting Place: Off Cleveland, Ohio, in Lake Erie.

SIGNIFICANCE

The METEOR had a storied history as a workhorse of Great Lakes shipping, enduring multiple rebuilds, fires, and significant incidents such as the collision with the PEWABIC. Its transformation from a propeller vessel to a Schooner rig illustrates the adaptability of Great Lakes vessels in response to evolving industry demands.

NOTES FOR RESEARCHERS AND DIVERS

• Potential for Wreck Discovery: The exact location of the METEOR’s scuttling site remains a subject for underwater exploration.

• Historical Value: The vessel’s repeated rebuilds and its role in significant incidents, such as the Thunder Bay collision, contribute to its importance in maritime history.

REFERENCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Historical records from Detroit’s marine archives

This report documents the life and eventual demise of the METEOR, emphasizing its historical importance and contributions to Great Lakes maritime history.