IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Vessel Name: ATLANTIS (formerly DESPATCH)

Type: Wooden Oil Screw Salvage Tug

Built: 1916 by F. F. Paasch in Erie, Pennsylvania

Dimensions:

•Length: 47 feet (14.3 meters)

•Beam: 14.58 feet (4.4 meters)

•Depth: 4.25 feet (1.3 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 16 tons (later adjusted to 15 tons)

•Net Tonnage: 11 tons (later adjusted to 10 tons)

Last Port of Registry: Cleveland, Ohio

Final Voyage Date: November 21, 1958

Final Disposition: Lost in a storm off the coast of Erieau, Ontario, Lake Erie

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The ATLANTIS, originally launched as DESPATCH, was a compact yet robust wooden oil screw Tug. Its original role as a fish Tug exemplified its utility and resilience, catering to the regional fishing industry on Lake Erie. Transitioning to salvage work in the 1950s, the vessel adapted to the demanding requirements of Great Lakes commercial diving operations under its new name.

HISTORY

Origins as DESPATCH

The vessel was constructed in 1916 by F. F. Paasch in Erie, Pennsylvania. As DESPATCH, it served primarily as a fish Tug, operating out of regional ports to support the bustling fishing trade on Lake Erie. Records indicate that it underwent a tonnage adjustment in 1919, reflecting a modest design change or updated measurements.

Rebirth as ATLANTIS

In 1953, the vessel was acquired by Luther & Collins Commercial Divers, a Cleveland-based company specializing in underwater salvage. Renamed ATLANTIS, the Tug played a key role in salvage operations, aiding in the recovery of cargo and wrecks from the depths of the Great Lakes.

Final Voyage

On November 21, 1958, the ATLANTIS met its demise during a storm off the coast of Erieau, Ontario. Specific details about the incident, including the crew’s fate and the cargo (if any), remain undocumented. The vessel was lost to Lake Erie’s turbulent waters, with no reported efforts to locate or recover the wreck.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The ATLANTIS was declared lost after succumbing to severe weather during a storm in 1958. Its final resting place remains unknown, buried somewhere beneath the waters off Erieau, Ontario.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) regarding the ATLANTIS wreck. Mariners navigating the waters off Erieau should always exercise caution, especially during adverse weather.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the ATLANTIS has not been located or documented, and no surveys or explorations have been conducted to confirm its final resting place.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The ATLANTIS likely rests in an advanced state of deterioration due to its wooden construction and decades underwater. Without precise coordinates or documentation, accessibility remains a challenge, and the wreck remains a mystery to divers and researchers.

RESOURCES & LINKS

1.Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Maritime History of the Great Lakes

2.David Swayze Shipwreck File

David Swayze Shipwreck File

3.Great Lakes Ships Database

Great Lakes Ships

ADDITIONAL NOTES

The transition of the DESPATCH into the salvage Tug ATLANTIS reflects the vessel’s adaptability and the evolving needs of Great Lakes commerce. The lack of detailed records regarding its final moments adds an air of mystery, making it a compelling subject for further research.

DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS

Given the unknown location and condition of the wreck, diving opportunities are limited. Explorers interested in searching for the ATLANTIS should collaborate with local maritime historians and consider advanced sonar technology to enhance discovery efforts. The stormy conditions and uncertain depth also warrant caution.

TAGS

#ATLANTIS #DESPATCH #GreatLakesShipwrecks #LakeErie #1958Storm #WoodenTug #CommercialDiving #MaritimeHistory

CONCLUSION

The ATLANTIS, a vessel that navigated the Great Lakes for decades, exemplifies the resilience of small utility ships in the face of nature’s fury. Its loss during a storm off Erieau, Ontario, in 1958 remains shrouded in mystery, a poignant reminder of the risks faced by those who worked the Great Lakes. The wreck’s undiscovered state adds to its allure, leaving its story open to future exploration and discovery.