IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Vessel Name: CADILLAC (later renamed MAPLEHURST)

Official Number: U126876 (CADILLAC), C138230 (MAPLEHURST)

Vessel Type: Bulk Propeller

Dimensions:

•As CADILLAC: Length 230 feet, Beam 37.2 feet, Depth 15.3 feet

•As MAPLEHURST: Length 235.1 feet, Beam 36.8 feet, Depth 15.4 feet

Tonnage: 1263 gross, 1068 net (as CADILLAC)

Year Built: 1892

Builder: Steel construction

Propulsion: 254 horsepower

Home Port: Montreal, Quebec (as MAPLEHURST)

Final Location: West Breakwater, Portage Ship Canal, Lake Superior

Date of Wreck: December 1, 1922

Coordinates: Not specified

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The CADILLAC, later renamed MAPLEHURST, was a steel-hulled bulk propeller vessel, designed to transport bulk cargoes such as grain, coal, or iron ore across the Great Lakes. It was a robust ship characteristic of the industrial era of Great Lakes shipping, with a design focused on maximizing cargo capacity while maintaining stability and efficiency in often treacherous waters.

HISTORY

The CADILLAC was launched on May 24, 1892, and initially operated under the U.S. registry. For over two decades, it served in the demanding trade routes of the Great Lakes. In 1913, the vessel transitioned to Canadian ownership under Canada Steamship Lines, which renamed it MAPLEHURST and re-registered it in Montreal, Quebec.

The ship’s history was marked by a critical event on December 1, 1922. While navigating near the West Breakwater of Portage Ship Canal in Lake Superior, the MAPLEHURST encountered a violent storm. The vessel was driven ashore with such force that it broke in half, leading to a catastrophic loss of life. Tragically, 11 crew members perished in the disaster, underscoring the perils of Great Lakes navigation, especially during the severe weather conditions of late fall.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The wreck of the MAPLEHURST remains near the West Breakwater of Portage Ship Canal in Lake Superior. The vessel’s structural failure upon grounding highlights the extreme forces ships could endure in the Great Lakes’ storms. The wreckage, though likely scattered and deteriorated, serves as a memorial to the lives lost in the tragedy.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

Mariners navigating near the Portage Ship Canal in Lake Superior should be aware of the history of hazardous conditions in the area. No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck have been noted, but the site’s historical significance is well-documented.

LOCATED BY & DATE

Details about the wreck’s precise location have not been disclosed, but it is known to historians and researchers, documented in archives like the Chicago Steam Boat Co.’s Master Shipbuilding List and the Institute for Great Lakes Research in Perrysburg, Ohio.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck of the MAPLEHURST likely lies in deteriorated condition due to its age and exposure to the harsh environment of Lake Superior. It is not widely recognized as a diving site but may hold historical and archaeological interest for future exploration.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca

•Institute for Great Lakes Research (Perrysburg, Ohio): Historical ship records

•Chicago Steam Boat Co. Master Shipbuilding List: Documentation of name changes and vessel histories

•Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society: glshipwrecks.org

KEYWORDS

#CADILLAC #MAPLEHURST #GreatLakesShipwrecks #LakeSuperior #CanadaSteamshipLines #BulkPropeller #MaritimeHistory

CONCLUSION

The sinking of the MAPLEHURST is a poignant chapter in Great Lakes maritime history, illustrating both the region’s industrial significance and the immense risks faced by those who worked its waters. The legacy of the MAPLEHURST, from its beginnings as the CADILLAC to its tragic end, remains a testament to the resilience and peril of early 20th-century Great Lakes shipping.