Identification & Site Information

•Wreck Name: Philip D. Armour

•Type: Bulk Freighter

•Date of Incident: November 15, 1915

•Location: Off Waldamere Park, west of Erie, Pennsylvania, Lake Erie

•Coordinates: 42° 7’ 40.9188” N, -80° 10’ 41.7” W

•Depth: 30 feet (10 meters)

•Condition: Wreckage scattered on a reef, with some remains potentially settled in deeper water.

Vessel Type Description

The Philip D. Armour was a wooden bulk freighter built in 1889, designed for transporting cargo such as coal and grain across the Great Lakes. Notable for its sturdy oak construction and dual-Deck design, the freighter measured:

•Length: 264 feet (80.5 meters)

•Beam: 40 feet (12.2 meters)

•Depth: 21 feet (6.4 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 1990 tons

•Net Tonnage: 1452 tons

The ship was powered by a for-and-aft compound engine producing 750 horsepower, built by Dry Dock Engine Works in Detroit, Michigan. It also had two large steam firebox boilers (12’ x 14’, 110 pounds).

History

Early Years:

Launched in 1889 in Detroit, Michigan, the Philip D. Armour initially operated under the ownership of R.P. Fitzgerald et al., as part of the White Fleet, which was renowned on the Great Lakes. The freighter mainly transported coal and grain between ports on Lake Michigan and Lake Erie.

Notable Incidents:

1.April 1889: Shortly after launch, the Philip D. Armour collided with the Steamer Marion in the St. Clair River. The ship sank but was salvaged and repaired by Reid Wrecking & Towing Co.

2.1907: Became part of the Pittsburgh & Erie Coal Co. fleet, operating primarily on Lakes Michigan and Erie.

3.1914: Laid up in Misery Bay, Erie, Pennsylvania, due to outdated machinery.

Final Voyage:

By 1915, the freighter was converted into a tow Barge, reflecting the aging vessel’s reduced role in the shipping industry. Chartered by John J. Boland of Buffalo, New York, it resumed operations carrying coal. On November 15, 1915, while being towed by the Tug Henry E. Gillen from Ashtabula, Ohio, to Welland, Ontario, the ship broke away and struck a reef near Waldamere Park, west of Erie, Pennsylvania.

The Philip D. Armour holed and sank. All crew members safely Abandoned the vessel, but the freighter and its coal cargo were declared a Total Loss.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Philip D. Armour became part of Lake Erie’s underwater landscape. While initially stranded on a reef, it is believed that parts of the wreckage eventually slipped into deeper waters.

NOTMARs & Advisories

•Current Notices: None specifically for this site.

•Advisory: The shallow depth of the wreck (30 feet) and scattered debris may pose hazards to divers and boaters in the area.

Located By & Date

The wreck was documented shortly after its sinking in 1915. While its remains are known to local divers and historians, the site has not been widely explored or excavated.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Great Lakes Ships Database

•YouTube: Search for videos related to the Philip D. Armour and other Great Lakes shipwrecks.

Conclusion

The Philip D. Armour exemplifies the challenges of maritime trade on the Great Lakes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite its sturdy construction, the freighter’s operational life was marked by frequent incidents, culminating in its tragic loss near Waldamere Parkin 1915. Today, the wreck is a historical artifact of Great Lakes shipping, offering insights into the technology and risks of the era.

Keywords:

#PhilipDArmour #LakeErieShipwreck #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #BulkFreighter #HistoricalShipwreck #WhiteFleet