IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: LANGHAM (formerly TOM ADAMS)
• Type: Steam Screw Propeller
• Year Built: April 24, 1888
• Builder: West Bay City, Michigan
• Dimensions:
• •Length: 281.1 feet
• •Beam: 41.4 feet
• •Depth: 20.0 feet
• Tonnage:
• •Gross Tonnage: 1,810 tons
• •Net Tonnage: 1,451 tons
• Propulsion:
• •Steam-powered, with 900 indicated horsepower
• Hull Material: Wood
• Final Location: Off Keweenaw Point, Lake Superior
• Date of Wreck: October 23, 1910
• Coordinates: Not specified
• Depth: Unknown

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The LANGHAM, formerly known as TOM ADAMS, was a wooden-hulled bulk propeller vessel designed for transporting large quantities of bulk cargo, such as grain, coal, or lumber. With robust dimensions and powerful propulsion for its time, the vessel served as a critical link in the Great Lakes’ commercial shipping network for over 20 years.

HISTORY

The LANGHAM was launched as the TOM ADAMS in 1888, constructed in West Bay City, Michigan. Over its operational life, it played an important role in the thriving maritime commerce of the Great Lakes, which served as a vital transportation artery for goods and raw materials.

At some point in its career, the vessel underwent a name change, becoming the LANGHAM, a common practice among Great Lakes vessels after ownership or operational changes. The ship continued to serve as a reliable Bulk Carrier until tragedy struck in October 1910.

On the fateful day of October 23, 1910, while navigating off Keweenaw Point in Lake Superior, the LANGHAM caught fire. Despite the sudden and devastating nature of the blaze, the ten persons aboard the vessel managed to escape unharmed. However, the fire consumed the wooden Hull and cargo, leaving the vessel a Total Loss.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The LANGHAM burned entirely and sank off Keweenaw Point, Lake Superior. While no lives were lost in the incident, the vessel could not be salvaged and was officially declared a Total Loss. Its exact location and condition underwater remain unknown, though the cold freshwater of Lake Superior may have preserved remnants of the wreck.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck of the LANGHAM, but the area near Keweenaw Point is known for underwater hazards and shipwrecks. Mariners are advised to use caution in this historically treacherous region of Lake Superior.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the LANGHAM has not been publicly identified or located, though its position near Keweenaw Point is noted in historical accounts.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The exact condition of the LANGHAM wreck is unknown. If located, it could be of interest to maritime historians and divers, particularly given its age and the circumstances of its loss. The site may hold historical artifacts or structural remnants that provide insights into the construction and operation of 19th-century Great Lakes bulk propellers.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: thunderbay.noaa.gov
• Keweenaw Underwater Perserve
• •Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Database: greatlakeships.org
• 3DShipwrecks – Langham

KEYWORDS

#LANGHAM #TOMADAMS #GreatLakesShipwrecks #LakeSuperior #KeweenawPoint #WoodenBulkPropeller #MaritimeHistory

CONCLUSION

The LANGHAM (formerly TOM ADAMS) exemplifies the duality of Great Lakes maritime history: its economic importance and the inherent risks of navigation in these waters. While the ship provided years of reliable service, its sudden loss in 1910 underscores the vulnerabilities of wooden vessels operating under challenging conditions. Its history remains a poignant chapter in the broader narrative of the Great Lakes’ maritime heritage.

3D Model