Identification & Site Information

• Name(s): Howard S. Gerkin (formerly Rosamond Billett, T. P. Phelan)
• Registry: Initially Canada, later the United States
• Official Numbers: 130272, 140953, 225429
• Vessel Type: Sand Sucker
• Year Built: 1910
• Year Sank: 1926
• Hull Material: Steel
• Engines: Two
• Dimensions Length: 241 ft (73.5 m) Width: 41 ft (12.5 m) Depth: 14 ft (4.3 m)

Vessel History

The Howard S. Gerkin began its service in 1910 as a sand sucker, a vessel designed for extracting and transporting sand and gravel from lakebeds. Operating under different names and registries, the ship played a significant role in Great Lakes industry. By 1926, the vessel met its fate, sinking in Lake Erie. Despite the sinking, its robust steel Hull and key components remain largely intact, making it a notable wreck for divers and historians.

References and Links

• Great Lakes Maritime Database
• Erie Wrecks East by Georgann and Michael Wachter (available in print).
• 3DShipwrecks – Howard S. Gerkin
• Wikipedia – Howard S. Gerkin
• Great Lakes Ships

Wreck Site Information

• • Lake: Erie
• • State/Province: Pennsylvania
• • Depth: 70 ft (21.3 m)
• • GPS Coordinates: 42° 16.372′ N, 80° 03.315′ W

Site Description:

The Howard S. Gerkin lies upside-down in the mud at a depth of 70 ft. While most of the wreck sits above the lakebed, minimal artifacts are present. Key features include:

• Two rudders and propellers visible on site.
• A few dug-out areas allow divers to penetrate portions of the wreck.

Keywords, Categories & Glossary

Keywords: Howard S. Gerkin, Sand Sucker, Lake Erie Shipwreck, Pennsylvania Wrecks

Categories: Industrial Maritime History, Steel-Hulled Vessels, Great Lakes Shipwrecks

Glossary:

• Sand Sucker: A vessel specifically designed for dredging sand and gravel from lakebeds.
• Rudder: A flat piece, typically vertical, used to steer a vessel.
• Propeller: A device with blades that rotate to propel a ship through water.

3D Model Howard S. Gerkin

Howard Gerkin by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

YouTube Video