Identification & Site Information

• Name: William Edenborn
• Official Registration Number: 81702
• Year Built: 1900
• Builder: West Bay City Ship Building Co., West Bay City, Michigan
• Hull Number: 40
• Original Owner: American Steamship Company, Duluth, Minnesota
• Vessel Type: Bulk Freighter
• Hull Material: Steel
• Number of Decks: 1
• Length: 478 ft (145.7 m) Beam: 52 ft (15.8 m) Depth: 25.16 ft (7.7 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 5085 tons (varied over the years)
• Net Tonnage: 4431 tons
• Power and Propulsion  Engine Type: Quadruple Expansion Steam Engine
•  Cylinders: 16 1/2”, 25”, 38 1/2”, 60” x 40”
• horsepower: 1800 hp
• RPM: 80
• Engine Built By: American Shipbuilding Company, Cleveland, Ohio (Installed in 1906)
• Boilers:
  • Originally 2 standard boilers,
  • replaced in 1927 with two 12’ x 11’ watertube boilers by Babcock & Wilcox, generating 280 lbs of steam pressure.
• Propellers: 1 built-up cast iron propeller

History & Service Life

1901: Shortly after her launch, the William Edenborn was acquired by the Pittsburgh Steamship Company of Cleveland, Ohio, a subsidiary of U.S. Steel that was heavily involved in the iron ore trade on the Great Lakes.

On November 28, 1905, the Edenborn ran aground seven miles southwest of Split Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior during a storm. The incident resulted in the loss of one crew member. Despite the grounding, the vessel suffered minimal damage and was released on September 5, 1906, before being towed to Cleveland for repairs.

The vessel underwent several upgrades to extend its service life: In 1927, the Edenborn received new watertube boilers and a new propeller.  Tonnage adjustments occurred over the years due to changes in the ship’s configuration, particularly in 1928 and 1956.

By 1952, the William Edenborn was under the ownership of U.S. Steel Corporation, continuing to transport iron ore and bulk cargo throughout the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition (1962)

• Date of Final Loss: October 1962
• Location: Gordon Park, Cleveland, Ohio, Lake Erie
• Cause: Scuttled as a Breakwater

After over 60 years of service, the William Edenborn was stripped of valuable components and scuttled in Lake Erie off Gordon Park in Cleveland, Ohio. She was intentionally sunk to serve as part of a Breakwater structure, helping to protect the shoreline from erosion and wave damage.

The Edenborn’s most notable maritime incident occurred when she ran aground near Split Rock Lighthouse in 1905. This event, though resulting in the loss of a crew member, demonstrated the vessel’s durability, as she was refloatedwith little structural damage.

After decades of service, the decision to use the Edenborn as a Breakwater reflects a common practice in the Great Lakes of repurposing older vessels to protect shorelines and harbors.

Final Location & Accessibility

Coordinates: Near Gordon Park, Cleveland, Ohio

The William Edenborn’s remains now form part of a visible Breakwater structure, making it an accessible site for local history enthusiasts and maritime researchers interested in the industrial history of Cleveland.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return (the vessel’s scuttling was intentional and well-documented).

NOTMARs & Advisories

The Breakwater at Gordon Park is part of the managed coastal infrastructure in Cleveland. While the site is accessible from shore, navigation near breakwaters should always be conducted with caution.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Maritime Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Cleveland Historical Society
• Dossin Great Lakes Museum

Conclusion

The William Edenborn represents a classic example of early 20th-century bulk freighters that played a pivotal role in the industrialization of the Great Lakes region. Built in 1900 and operated primarily by U.S. Steel subsidiaries, the vessel transported iron ore, coal, and other bulk materials essential to the steel industry. Despite a grounding incident in 1905 near Split Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior, the vessel enjoyed a long and productive career before being scuttled in 1962 to serve as a Breakwater in Cleveland, Ohio.

Her story reflects both the technological advancements in shipbuilding at the turn of the century and the innovative reuse of aging vessels for environmental and infrastructural purposes. Today, the Edenborn continues to protect Cleveland’s shores, a silent sentinel of Great Lakes maritime history.

Suggested Keywords: William Edenborn freighter, Great Lakes bulk freighters, Cleveland shipwrecks, Gordon Park Breakwater, Split Rock Lighthouse grounding, U.S. Steel maritime history.

Categories: Great Lakes Freighters, Shipwrecks of Lake Erie, Industrial History of the Great Lakes, Cleveland Maritime History.

Glossary Terms: Bulk Freighter, Quadruple Expansion Engine, Breakwater Scuttling, Great Lakes Iron Ore Transport, Industrial Shipping on the Great Lakes.