Shipwreck Report: C.W. Elphicke

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: C.W. Elphicke

•Type: Bulk Freighter

•Year Built: 1889

•Builder: Trenton, Michigan, USA

•Construction: Wooden Hull with hold beams, two stacks, diagonal steel straps, and an ice-sheathed bow

•Owners:

•Initial: G.W. Close et al., Huron, Ohio

•Final: Kinney Transportation Co., Cleveland, Ohio

•Dimensions:

•Length: 273 feet (83.2 meters)

•Beam: 42 feet (12.8 meters)

•Depth: 20.4 feet (6.2 meters)

•Tonnage:

•Gross: 2,058 tons

•Net: 1,702 tons

•Capacity: 3,100 gross tons

•Propulsion: Triple-expansion steam engine (19, 30, and 50-inch cylinders)

•Engine Builder: Samuel Hodge Iron Works, Detroit, Michigan (1889)

•Power: 975 horsepower at 80 RPM

•Boilers: Two scotch boilers (11’6” x 11’, 160 PSI), manufactured by T.M. McGregor, Detroit

•Location of Wreck: Long Point, Lake Erie

•Coordinates: N42° 32.18’, W80° 03.97’

•Depth of Wreck: 20 feet (6 meters)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The C.W. Elphicke was a wooden bulk freighter designed to transport heavy cargoes such as grain and other bulk materials across the Great Lakes. Its construction included advanced features for the time, such as diagonal steel straps for Hull reinforcement and a bow sheathed for navigating ice. With a capacity of 3,100 gross tons, it was one of the larger wooden freighters operating on the lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

HISTORY

Operational Service

The C.W. Elphicke served as a workhorse of Great Lakes trade, carrying bulk cargoes such as wheat and grain. Its voyages spanned the lakes, including operations out of Duluth, Minnesota, and towing duties across the region. Its robust engine and reinforced Hull made it suitable for various conditions, though it faced numerous incidents during its service.

•December 1891: Carried grain from Duluth.

•July & August 1898: Towed vessels F.A. Georger and H.D. Alverson, demonstrating its versatility.

•1899: Ownership transferred to J.C. Gilchrist, Vermillion, Minnesota.

Accidents & Incidents

The vessel experienced multiple challenges, including mechanical failures and collisions:

•May 14, 1900: A broken wheel while navigating the St. Mary’s River at Sault Ste. Marie.

•June 23, 1903: Collision with the Steamer Badger State.

•July 1906: Crashed into the east Breakwater in Cleveland, Ohio, causing the vessel to sink. It was subsequently raised and placed in drydock for repairs.

FINAL DISPOSITION

•Date of Wreck: October 21, 1913

•Location: Long Point, Lake Erie

Circumstances

While carrying a cargo of wheat, the C.W. Elphicke was caught in a gale and driven onto Long Point. The storm caused the vessel to break in two, and it ultimately sank in shallow water with a depth of 24 inches. The crew survived, but the vessel was declared a Total Loss.

Significance

The wreck represents a pivotal moment in the decline of large wooden bulk freighters, which were being replaced by more durable steel-hulled ships during this period.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

•Condition:

•The wreck lies in 20 feet (6 meters) of water at Long Point, Lake Erie.

•The remains are scattered, with significant deterioration due to the shallow depth and exposure to environmental conditions.

•Accessibility:

•The shallow depth makes it accessible to recreational divers, though Visibility may vary depending on weather and water conditions.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical records and accounts of the vessel’s service life.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Detailed incident logs and wreck information.

•Great Lakes Ships Database: Archival materials on Great Lakes freighters, including the C.W. Elphicke.

•Niagara Divers Association: Dive site information and preservation efforts for Great Lakes wrecks.

CONCLUSION

The C.W. Elphicke highlights the challenges faced by wooden freighters operating on the Great Lakes during an era of transition to steel-hulled vessels. Its wreck at Long Point serves as a reminder of the hazards of Great Lakes navigation and the enduring historical significance of the ships that built the region’s economy. For divers and historians alike, the C.W. Elphicke offers an intriguing glimpse into maritime history.

Tags: C.W. Elphicke, Lake Erie shipwreck, Long Point wreck, wooden freighter, Great Lakes maritime history, bulk cargo vessel, wreck diving, Great Lakes shipwreck analysis.