1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Robert L. Fryer was a wooden-hulled bulk freighter built in 1888 by F. W. Wheeler in West Bay City, Michigan. Designed with two decks and four masts, the vessel was initially owned by William H. Gratwick and other investors from Bay City. The freighter was powered by a triple expansion screw engine built by Frontier Iron Works in Detroit, which featured three cylinders with dimensions of 19″, 32″, and 50″ x 40″, generating 850 horsepower at 88 revolutions per minute. The vessel was also equipped with two 10′ x 11′, 150-pound steam Scotch boilers manufactured by Lake Erie Boiler Works in Buffalo, New York.
The Robert L. Fryer was built to transport bulk cargo, such as coal and grain, across the Great Lakes, playing a significant role in the region’s shipping industry.
3. HISTORY #
The Robert L. Fryer had a long and eventful career, marked by several notable incidents. In 1889, the freighter collided with the steamer Oceania off Sand Beach. A year later, in 1890, the vessel ran aground at Waiskoi Bay middle ground, requiring lightering to refloat. The freighter underwent repairs in Detroit during the winter of 1891 and in 1895, when around 100 workers were involved in maintenance.
In 1914, the Robert L. Fryer caught fire while docked in Marine City, Michigan, resulting in the total loss of the vessel and its coal cargo. The freighter was abandoned to underwriters and later acquired by Thomas Marks of Fort William, Ontario, who planned to reconstruct the vessel as a grain storage barge. After the reconstruction, the vessel was remeasured and registered with a gross tonnage of 2,033 tons.
However, the vessel’s troubles continued. On October 21, 1914, while leaving Marine City for rebuilding in Port Arthur, Ontario, the Robert L. Fryer struck a submerged piling belonging to the sunken steamer Tampa. Despite changing ownership several times, the freighter continued to face challenges, and in 1930, it was owned by Davidson & Smith of Port Arthur, Ontario.
The vessel’s final fate was sealed on July 29, 1930, when it burned and was scuttled against B Island near the wreck of the Green River (formerly known as the Gogebic) in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The engines were later removed in 1960, marking the official end of the Robert L. Fryer’s service.
4. FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Robert L. Fryer was intentionally scuttled on July 29, 1930, after burning near B Island in the Welcome Islands, Lake Superior. The vessel rests at a depth of approximately 35 feet (10 meters) of water. The scuttling took place near the wreck of the Green River (formerly the Gogebic) in Thunder Bay, Ontario, marking the end of the freighter’s long and troubled career.
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories specifically related to the wreck of the Robert L. Fryer. The shallow depth of the wreck suggests it does not pose a significant hazard to navigation but should still be noted by mariners.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the Robert L. Fryer is located near B Island in the Welcome Islands, Lake Superior, at a depth of 35 feet (10 meters). The specific date of the wreck’s discovery is not provided.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The wreck of the Robert L. Fryer lies in shallow water at a depth of 35 feet (10 meters), making it accessible to divers with basic training. The shallow depth allows for relatively easy exploration, though the vessel’s condition is likely to be deteriorated, especially considering its wooden construction and the impact of fire. Despite this, the site offers valuable insights into the construction and operation of late 19th-century bulk freighters on the Great Lakes.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Website
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Website
- Bowling Green State University: Website
- Great Lakes Ships: Website
- National Park Service: Website
9. ADDITIONAL NOTES #
The history of the Robert L. Fryer reflects the challenges faced by vessels operating on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From its construction in 1888 to its eventual scuttling in 1930, the freighter endured numerous incidents, ownership changes, and modifications. The vessel’s final resting place near B Island in Lake Superior serves as a testament to the resilience of Great Lakes shipping and the inevitable decline of wooden freighters as steel-hulled vessels became more common.
10. DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS #
The wreck of the Robert L. Fryer lies at a depth of 35 feet (10 meters), making it an accessible site for divers of all skill levels. The shallow depth and the historical significance of the wreck make it an intriguing site for exploration. Divers should be mindful of the vessel’s deteriorated condition and adhere to any local regulations that may apply to the site.
TAGS #
- Lake Superior
- 19th Century
- Bulk Freighter
- Maritime History
- Shipwreck
- Diving Site
CONCLUSION #
The bulk freighter Robert L. Fryer, built in 1888 and scuttled in 1930, stands as a significant part of Great Lakes maritime history. Its service as a bulk freighter, along with its numerous incidents and eventual fate, reflect the broader narrative of shipping on the Great Lakes during a period of rapid technological and economic change. The wreck, now lying beneath the waters near B Island, continues to offer insights into the maritime heritage of the region and serves as a valuable site for exploration by divers and historians alike.
