IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: SIMON LANGELL

•Official Number: 116091

•Year of Build: 1886

•Vessel Type: Steambarge

•Home Port: Duluth, Minnesota

•Dimensions: Length 195.3 feet, Beam 34.6 feet, Depth 13.7 feet

•Registered Tonnage: 845.27 gross tons, 677.82 net tons

•Builder Name: Simon Langell

•Built At: St. Clair, Michigan

•Hull Materials: Wood

•Wreck Location: Wolfe Island Graveyard, Lake Ontario

•Depth at Wreck Site: 98 feet (29.87 meters)

•Coordinates: Not publicly disclosed

VESSEL DESCRIPTION

The SIMON LANGELL was a screw-driven wooden steambarge built in 1886 by Simon Langell in St. Clair, Michigan. Originally rigged with three masts, it was later reduced to two to accommodate evolving shipping needs. Powered by a for-and-aft compound engine of 575 horsepower, the vessel was equipped with steam firebox boilers, facilitating a robust operational capacity for transporting cargo, particularly lumber.

With a capacity to carry up to 800,000 feet of lumber, the SIMON LANGELL played a significant role in Great Lakes commerce during its 50-year career. Its sturdy construction and adaptability ensured its survival through various incidents and ownership changes.

HISTORY

Early Years and Service

The SIMON LANGELL was launched in 1886 and enrolled in Port Huron, Michigan. Its early years were marked by grounding in Lake George just months after its launch. Despite this initial setback, it became a vital part of the iron ore and lumber trade, frequently towing smaller vessels and operating along major shipping routes.

Notable Incidents

•1893: Collision with an unidentified Steamer near Presque Isle, Lake Huron, causing temporary mechanical failure.

•1898: Stranded on Goose Island, requiring days of effort to release it.

•1905: Ran aground in the Tonawanda River while carrying a record 900,000 feet of lumber, necessitating cargo unloading for recovery.

•1906: Collided with the Barge CHATTANOOGA in the Soo Passage, resulting in damage that required significant repairs.

Ownership and Upgrades

Over its operational life, the SIMON LANGELL changed ownership several times, reflecting its ongoing value despite wear and aging. The vessel received new boilers in 1891 and 1899, and it underwent other repairs and modifications to adapt to the demands of Great Lakes shipping.

Final Years and Scuttling

By 1930, the aging steambarge was laid up in Portsmouth, Ontario. During the Portsmouth Harbour Cleanup of the 1930s, the SIMON LANGELL was stripped of valuable materials, set ablaze, and scuttled at the Wolfe Island Graveyard in Lake Ontario, ending its service life.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The SIMON LANGELL rests in the Wolfe Island Graveyard at a depth of 98 feet. The site is part of a cluster of deliberately scuttled vessels from the Portsmouth Harbour cleanup initiative, representing a significant chapter in Lake Ontario’s maritime history.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the SIMON LANGELL. The wreck is a protected site, and divers are encouraged to respect its historical value.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Divehub.ca: Dive information for Wolfe Island Graveyard, including the wreck of SIMON LANGELL.

•Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL): Archival data on Great Lakes vessels.

•Queens University Photo Archive: Documentation of Lake Ontario shipwrecks.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive records of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

CONCLUSION

The SIMON LANGELL epihttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpgizes the era of wooden steambarges on the Great Lakes, enduring decades of maritime service marked by notable incidents and continual adaptation. Its scuttling in the Wolfe Island Graveyard closed the chapter on a vessel that had seen the full spectrum of Great Lakes commerce and challenges. Today, it serves as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of 19th-century shipbuilding and navigation.

KEYWORDS

•SIMON LANGELL

•Wolfe Island Graveyard

•Lake Ontario shipwreck

•Great Lakes steambarge

•19th-century wooden vessel