Great Lakes Shipwreck Report: SS Francisco Morazan

Vessel Identification & Site Information

• Name: SS Francisco Morazan
• Former Names: Arcadia, Elbing, Empire Congress, Brunes, Skuld, Ringås, Los Mayas
• Registration Number: Not documented
• Year Built: 1922
• Builder: Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg, Germany
• Hull Material: Steel
• Vessel Type: Cargo Ship
• Original Owner: Hamburg-Amerika Packetfahrt AG
• Power & Propulsion
  • Propulsion: Twin-screw steam-driven
  • Engine Type: Compound steam engine
  • Speed: 9 knots (17 km/h)
• Hull Dimensions
  • Length: 234 feet 5 inches (71.45 meters)
  • Beam: 36 feet 8 inches (11.18 meters)
  • Depth: 17 feet 9 inches (5.41 meters)
  • Draught: 16 feet 6.5 inches (5.042 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 1,441 GRT
• Deadweight Tonnage (DWT): 2,091

Service History

The Francisco Morazan was originally launched as Arcadia in 1922 for Hamburg-Amerika Packetfahrt AG. Over its 38-year career, it operated under multiple owners and flags, sailing for at least eleven different operators. The vessel saw service in both commercial and military operations, being requisitioned by Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine in 1940 for use in Operation Sea Lion. Damaged during World War II, she was seized by Allied forces in 1945 and transferred to the British Ministry of War Transport, where she was renamed Empire Congress.

After being allocated to the Norwegian government in 1946, the ship was renamed Brunes and resumed merchant service under various Norwegian owners. In 1958, she was sold to a Greek company and renamed Los Mayas before being registered in Panama and later Liberia under the name Francisco Morazan.

By 1959, she was under the management of West Indies Transport Company and was engaged in international cargo shipping.

Final Voyage & Sinking

• Date of Loss: November 29, 1960
• Location: South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan
• Cause: Ran aground in a snowstorm
• Cargo: 1,118 tons of mixed goods (canned chicken, toys, empty shampoo bottles, and other items)
• Casualties: None

On November 27, 1960, the Francisco Morazan departed Chicago, bound for Rotterdam and Hamburg. Her cargo consisted of a variety of consumer goods, and she was racing to exit the Great Lakes via the St. Lawrence Seaway before its seasonal closure on December 3.

The vessel encountered dense fog and later a malfunctioning boiler feed pump, which caused an eight-hour delay for repairs. By the evening of November 28, the Francisco Morazan was navigating near Point Betsie in whiteout snowstorm conditions. Pushed off course by high winds and rough waters, she ran aground just 300 yards (274 meters) from the shore of South Manitou Island.

Rescue Efforts

Three U.S. Coast Guard vessels and a civilian Tug responded to the distress call. By December 4, after it was determined that the ship was unsalvageable, all crew members—including Captain Eduardo Trivizas’ pregnant wife—were evacuated. Early salvage efforts recovered some of the cargo, but poor weather conditions led to the operation being Abandoned.

Wreck Information

• Depth: Shallow waters, partially exposed above surface
• Current Condition: Wreck is deteriorating but remains a visible landmark
• Protection Status: Part of the Manitou Passage State Underwater Preserve

Over the years, the Francisco Morazan became a local attraction, with island residents salvaging canned chicken and toys from the wreck. In 1967, a local boy tragically drowned while exploring the ship. In 1968, the Michigan Attorney General filed a lawsuit to have the wreck removed, citing environmental concerns over rotting cargo and remaining fuel oil. The day after the lawsuit was filed, a fire mysteriously broke out on the wreck, consuming the remaining cargo.

Today, the Francisco Morazan remains one of Michigan’s most accessible shipwrecks. It is a popular site for kayakers, boaters, and aerial photography, as portions of the Hull remain visible above water. The wreck is part of the Manitou Passage State Underwater Preserve and is protected under Michigan law.

Resources & Further Reading

• National Park Service: Francisco Morazan Shipwreck
• Atlas Obscura: Wreck of the Francisco Morazan
• Wikipedia: SS Francisco Morazan (1922)

Conclusion

The wreck of the Francisco Morazan serves as a significant historical reminder of the challenges faced by ships navigating the Great Lakes in winter. Her remains are now a part of Michigan’s maritime heritage, drawing interest from historians, divers, and tourists alike.

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Francisco Morazan, Lake Michigan shipwreck, Manitou Passage State Underwater Preserve, Great Lakes maritime history, cargo shipwreck, South Manitou Island, Great Lakes Navigation Hazards

Categories: Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Great Lakes History, Underwater Archaeology

Glossary Terms

• Deadweight Tonnage (DWT): The weight a ship can carry, including cargo, fuel, and supplies.
• Kriegsmarine: The naval branch of Nazi Germany’s military during World War II.
• St. Lawrence Seaway: A system of locks and channels connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.
• Manitou Passage State Underwater Preserve: A Michigan-designated area that protects shipwrecks and underwater cultural resources.