IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Vessel Name:

Theano

Type:

Steel-Hulled Bulk Freighter

Year Built:

1889

Builder:

Constructed in Slikkerveer, Netherlands

Dimensions:

•Length: 241.8 feet (73.7 meters)

•Beam: 36 feet (11 meters)

•Depth: 17.1 feet (5.2 meters)

Tonnage:

•Gross Tonnage (GT): 1,534

•Net Tonnage (NT): 952

Propulsion:

Screw-propelled, steel Hull, single-Deck freighter

Official Number:

BR110350

Registration:

•Initial Registration: Newcastle, England (1889)

•Subsequent Ownership: Purchased by Algoma Central Railway, July 1900, and registered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Final Location:

•Near Trowbridge Island, Lake Superior, Canada

•Coordinates: Three miles east of Thunder Bay, Ontario

Depth:

Exceeding 200 feet (70 meters)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Theano was a steel-hulled single-Deck bulk freighter, purpose-built for transporting heavy cargo, such as steel rails, coal, or grain. Its robust construction and propulsion design reflected late 19th-century advancements in maritime engineering, enabling it to operate in demanding conditions across the Great Lakes and transoceanic trade routes.

HISTORY

The Theano was constructed in 1889 in Slikkerveer, Netherlands, and originally registered in Newcastle, England. It was primarily utilized for cargo transport, reflecting the significant industrial demand of the late 19th century. In July 1900, the ship was acquired by Algoma Central Railway, marking its integration into the growing infrastructure of the Great Lakes shipping trade.

Throughout its operational history, the Theano transported a variety of bulk cargo, including steel rails, which were essential for railway expansion across North America.

FINAL VOYAGE & DISPOSITION

On November 17, 1906, the Theano encountered its demise near Trowbridge Island. During this ill-fated voyage, the vessel struck Marvin Island, creating a fatal breach in its steel Hull along the rocky shoreline. Following this impact, the Theano’s boiler exploded, causing significant damage and propelling the vessel into deep water.

At the time of its sinking, the Theano was carrying steel rails, underscoring its role in supporting regional industrial infrastructure. Fortunately, details about casualties or survivors are not documented, but the incident highlights the inherent dangers of navigating Lake Superior’s treacherous waters.

DISCOVERY & CURRENT CONDITION

In 2004, the wreck of the Theano was rediscovered in Lake Superior at a depth exceeding 200 feet (70 meters). The steel Hull remains remarkably preserved due to the cold, fresh waters of Lake Superior, providing an exceptional site for underwater exploration. The depth and conditions, however, make the wreck accessible only to experienced technical divers equipped for deep, cold-water dives.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) directly associated with the Theano’s wreck site. Divers must exercise caution due to the significant depth and potentially hazardous diving conditions.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive historical records and shipwreck details

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Detailed records of Great Lakes shipwrecks

•Great Lakes Ships: Database of vessels operating on the Great Lakes

•Great Lakes Historical Societies: Insights into Algoma Central Railway’s early maritime operations

ANALYSIS

The Theano’s history serves as a testament to the vital role bulk freighters played in developing the industrial and transportation networks of North America. Its transition from British to Canadian ownership reflects the global reach of Great Lakes trade at the turn of the 20th century. The vessel’s final voyage and eventual wreck illustrate the challenges faced by mariners in navigating Lake Superior’s perilous conditions.

Today, the wreck of the Theano stands as a poignant reminder of the risks associated with early 20th-century maritime transportation and serves as a significant underwater site for exploring the region’s industrial past.

KEYWORDS

•Theano

•Bulk Freighter

•Lake Superior Wrecks

•Algoma Central Railway

•Steel Rails Transport

•Maritime History

•Trowbridge Island Shipwreck

•2004 Shipwreck Discovery

•Great Lakes Exploration