Identification & Site Information

Wreck Name ORION (Later known as WEESEE)

Type Wooden Steam Screw Propeller

Date of Incident November 11, 1923

Location Near Middle Sister Island, Lake Erie

Coordinates Main Wreck Site: 41° 50.592’ N, 82° 59.567’ W

Prop Shaft: 41° 50.609’ N, 82° 59.850’ W

Depth 22 feet (7 meters)

Condition Destroyed by fire; remains scattered on the lakebed

Vessel Type Description

The ORION, later renamed WEESEE, was a robust wooden Steam Screw Vessel launched in October 1900 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Designed with a durable steel-arched and strapped Hull, the vessel was built for cargo transportation, boasting a Gross Tonnage of 2,283 and a Net Tonnage of 1,590 tons. Its innovative fore-and-aft compound engines and 130 psi boiler pressure allowed for efficient freight movement across the Great Lakes.

History

• 1900: Launched as ORION by Capt. P.F. Thrall and O.L. Harder for the Green Bay Vessel Company.

• 1918: Renamed WEESEE after being sold to Canadian owners.

• 1920: Registered under the number C 138574, operated by Border Transit Co.

• 1923: Continued operations under Massey & Gatfield.

Final Disposition

On November 11, 1923, a devastating fire engulfed the WEESEE on Lake Erie near Middle Sister Island. Despite efforts, the fire consumed the vessel, leaving scattered remains on the lakebed. The prop shaft, a key feature of the wreckage, provides a significant marker for the site.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreckage lies in 22 feet of water, with remains partially buried and scattered. The prop shaft is a prominent feature accessible to divers. Due to its shallow depth, the site is suitable for exploration, but the fire’s destruction has left much of the vessel unrecognizable. Visibility may vary depending on lake conditions.

Resources & Links

• Primary Sources: Vessel registration records, historical accounts, incident reports.

• Further Reading:

• Great Lakes Shipwrecks

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

Conclusion

The destruction of the WEESEE (formerly ORION) by fire in 1923 highlights the dangers faced by Great Lakes vessels. The scattered wreck near Middle Sister Island serves as a historical site and a poignant reminder of the perils of early 20th-century maritime commerce.

Tags

#GreatLakes #Shipwrecks #LakeErie #ORION #WEESEE #MaritimeHistory #SteamScrew #UnderwaterExploration