IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION:
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:
The Ashtabula was a steel-hulled car ferry, also known as a rail ferry, designed for the transportation of railroad cars across bodies of water. Built on May 12, 1906, by the Great Lakes Engineering Works in St. Clair, Michigan, the vessel was an impressive example of early 20th-century maritime engineering. The Ashtabula measured 338 feet in length, had a beam of 56 feet, and a depth of 21.5 feet. Its gross tonnage was recorded at 2670 tons, with a net tonnage of 1525 tons.
HISTORY:
The Ashtabula was launched at a time when the Great Lakes played a crucial role in transporting goods and materials across the Midwest. The vessel was constructed primarily for the Pennsylvania-Ontario Transportation Co., based in Cleveland, Ohio, to serve as a car ferry, transporting railroad cars between different points along the Great Lakes. The ship was named after its home port of Ashtabula, Ohio, a key transportation hub on Lake Erie.
For over five decades, the Ashtabula operated successfully, becoming a familiar sight along its route. The vessel was an essential part of the transportation network, moving goods across Lake Erie, contributing to the region’s economic growth.
However, on September 18, 1958, tragedy struck. The Ashtabula was approaching the entrance to the harbor in Ashtabula, Ohio, when it collided with the steel steamer Ben Moreell. The collision occurred approximately 350 feet from the harbor entrance, resulting in catastrophic damage to the Ashtabula. The ship quickly began to take on water and eventually sank, with only its upperworks remaining visible above the waterline.
The Ben Moreell, a steel steamer of significant size, inflicted severe damage on the Ashtabula, leaving it in a state that was beyond repair. Despite efforts to refloat the vessel, it was determined that the damage was too extensive, and the Ashtabula was declared a total loss.
FINAL DISPOSITION:
After the Ashtabula was partially refloated, it was moved to the train ferry slip at Ashtabula Harbor. However, the vessel was deemed irreparable due to the severe damage sustained during the collision. The decision was made to scrap the ship, and by 1959, the Ashtabula had been dismantled and removed from service.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES:
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the site of the Ashtabula wreck, as the vessel was raised and scrapped shortly after the incident. However, mariners navigating near the harbor entrance in Ashtabula should always exercise caution, as it is a busy area with frequent commercial traffic.
LOCATED BY & DATE:
The Ashtabula was located immediately after the collision, as it sank near the harbor entrance in Ashtabula, Ohio, in full view of those onshore. The wreck was attended to promptly, leading to its partial refloating and eventual scrapping in 1959.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
- Great Lakes Ships
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Great Lakes Engineering Works’ Master Shipbuilding List
- Institute for Great Lakes Research, Perrysburg, Ohio
CONCLUSION:
The Ashtabula serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers inherent in maritime transportation, even in an era of advanced shipbuilding techniques. Its loss was a significant event for the port city of Ashtabula, and the vessel’s history highlights the importance of car ferries in the early 20th century. Though the ship was ultimately scrapped, its story remains a vital part of Lake Erie’s maritime heritage.
Keywords:
#Ashtabula #GreatLakes #Shipwreck #LakeErie #CarFerry #RailFerry #MaritimeHistory #GreatLakesShipwrecks #AshtabulaOhio #SteelSteamerCollision
