Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Frank O’Connor
- Type: Bulk Freighter (Iron Ore Carrier)
- Year Built: 1892
- Builder: Detroit Dry Dock Company
- Dimensions: Length: 301 ft (91.7 m); Beam: 44 ft (13.4 m); Depth of hold: 24.3 ft (7.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 2,143 Gross Tons, 1,791 Net Tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 20 m / 65 ft
- Location: North Bay, Lake Michigan, near Door County, Wisconsin
- Coordinates: 45.11444, -87.01222
- Official Number: U.S. Registry #76724
- Original Owners: Various, originally owned by the Detroit Dry Dock Company
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Bulk Freighter (Iron Ore Carrier)A classic “steam barge” styled freighter from the turn of the century, Frank O’Connor was purpose-built for carrying iron ore, a key commodity of the industrializing Great Lakes region.
Description
The Frank O’Connor began her service life as the Weston in 1892, amid the booming iron ore trade of the late 19th century. Operated first under her original name, she was sold and renamed Frank O’Connor in honour of her new owner. She became a workhorse freighter carrying bulk cargo, predominantly iron ore, coal, and other industrial goods between major Great Lakes ports like Duluth, Cleveland, and Chicago.
The ship was a product of the robust shipbuilding capacity of the Detroit Dry Dock Company and reflected the transition from wooden to steel-hulled vessels. When she was rebuilt in 1914, she was given updated machinery and cargo-handling systems, allowing her to remain competitive with newer vessels.
In the early morning of October 2, 1919, while downbound with a cargo of coal, she caught fire off the coast of Wisconsin’s Door County near North Bay. The fire, possibly originating in the engine room, quickly engulfed the vessel. The crew abandoned ship and made it safely to shore. The ship burned to the waterline and sank in shallow waters.
History
Frank O’Connor lies in approximately 5–9 m (16–30 ft) of water off North Bay, Lake Michigan, near Door County, Wisconsin. The hull remains largely intact and is an accessible dive site known for its well-preserved features and educational value. The wreck was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1994 due to its significance in maritime history and its accessibility as a historical shipwreck preserve.
Significant Incidents
- The wreck was discovered and documented during the 1970s by local divers and was later extensively surveyed for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Exact coordinates were made public in the 1990s.
Final Disposition
The wreck is marked on navigational charts and is within a Wisconsin Shipwreck Preserve, making it a protected site. No obstruction to navigation exists; however, diving is restricted to non-disturbance guidelines. Permits may be required for artifact recovery or detailed surveys.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Visibility at the site typically ranges from 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 meters), and water temperatures during the summer months vary between 40°F to 60°F (4°C to 15.5°C). The site is accessible by boat, and divers should be prepared for potential currents and plan their dives accordingly.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”frank-oconner-us-76724-weston” title=”References & Links”]
Diving the Frank O’Connor offers a unique opportunity to connect with Great Lakes maritime history. The well-preserved structures provide a fascinating glimpse into early 20th-century shipbuilding and the operational life of bulk freighters on the Great Lakes. With proper preparation and respect for preservation guidelines, divers can experience one of Wisconsin’s most remarkable underwater cultural sites.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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