Identification & Site Information

•Wreck Name: MECOSTA

•Type: Bulk Propeller (later converted to a Barge)

•Date of Incident: October 29, 1922

•Location: North Bay Village, Lake Erie, near Cleveland, Ohio

•Coordinates: 41° 31.850’ N, 81° 53.001’ W

•Depth: 50 feet (15 meters)

•Condition: Largely intact, with structural damage from sinking and Conversion to a Barge.

Vessel Type Description

The MECOSTA was a wooden bulk propeller ship constructed in 1888 to serve the bustling trade routes of the Great Lakes, particularly transporting ore and grain. It featured a robust design with:

•Length: 281.7 feet

•Beam: 40.6 feet

•Depth: 20 feet

•Gross Tonnage: 1,776 tons

The ship underwent significant modifications during its operational life, including a Conversion to a screw Steamer with two masts in 1896and later to a Barge in 1922. These adaptations reflect its evolving role in the dynamic shipping industry of the Great Lakes.

History

Key Events in MECOSTA’s Service Life:

1.March 10, 1888: Launched as a bulk propeller ship, entering service in the Duluth ore and grain trade.

2.1890: Ownership transferred to the Whitney Transportation Company, operating primarily out of Michigan.

3.March 19, 1896: Converted to a screw Steamer with two masts, enhancing versatility and cargo handling.

4.May 13, 1898: Damaged in a collision with the Steamer OLYMPIA in Port Huron, Michigan.

5.June 7, 1901: Acquired by the Gilchrist Transportation Company and later transferred to the General Transit Company in 1916.

6.1922: Converted to a Barge, with its engine and boiler removed in Lorain, Ohio.

7.October 29, 1922: The MECOSTA Foundered near Cleveland, Ohio, becoming a Total Loss. No fatalities were reported among the four crew members.

The vessel’s varied career spanned over three decades, reflecting the evolution of shipping practices and the transition of aging vessels into barges to extend their utility.

Final Disposition

The MECOSTA lies upright at a depth of 50 feet in Lake Erie, near North Bay Village. Its transformation into a Barge shortly before its sinking resulted in significant structural changes, including the removal of critical machinery like the engine and boiler. Despite this, much of the wreck remains intact, offering valuable insights into the vessel’s construction and modifications.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the MECOSTA wreck. However:

•Mariners should be cautious when navigating near the site.

•Divers should exercise care due to potential entanglement hazards in and around the wreck.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the MECOSTA is accessible at a depth of 50 feet, making it suitable for recreational divers with moderate experience. Key features include:

•The intact Barge structure, showcasing the design transition from powered vessels to barges.

•A partially preserved Hull, reflecting the vessel’s wooden construction.

The site provides a unique opportunity to study the vessel’s history and its role in the Great Lakes shipping industry.

Resources & Links

•Great Lakes Ships: Archival records and histories of Great Lakes vessels.

•Erie Wrecks: Documentation of shipwrecks in Lake Erie.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive repository of maritime history.

•Cleveland Plain Dealer Archives: Historical accounts of the MECOSTA’s loss and maritime operations in the region.

•Ohio Shipwrecks: State-specific resources for Great Lakes shipwreck exploration.

Conclusion

The MECOSTA encapsulates a pivotal period in Great Lakes maritime history, transitioning from a bulk propeller ship to a Barge before meeting its fate in 1922. Its wreck near Cleveland, Ohio, serves as a tangible link to the industrial growth and evolving shipping practices of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The site is a historically significant underwater artifact, offering opportunities for exploration and study into the life cycle of Great Lakes vessels.

Tags

#GreatLakes #Shipwrecks #LakeErie #MaritimeHistory #BulkPropeller #Mecosta #ClevelandOhio #HistoricalShipwreck #UnderwaterExploration