HOMER WARREN U298

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Homer Warren began its life as the Atlantic, a propeller-driven steamship built in 1863 by Peck & Masters in Cleveland, Ohio. The vessel was originally part of the Union Transportation Company’s fleet, primarily operating between Chicago and Buffalo, carrying passengers and freight. The ship measured 176.5 feet (53.8 meters) in length, had a beam of 28.4 feet (8.7 meters), and a depth of 10.7 feet (3.3 meters). With a gross tonnage of 656.26 tons, the Atlantic was a substantial and capable vessel for its time.

After serving for several decades, the Atlantic was repurposed and renamed Homer Warren in 1901, following a significant rebuild at J. Davidson’s shipyard in Bay City, Michigan. The rebuilt vessel measured 180 feet (54.9 meters) in length, with a beam of 28 feet (8.5 meters), and a depth of 9 feet (2.7 meters). The Homer Warren had a gross tonnage of 447 tons and was specifically outfitted as a lumber hooker, a type of vessel designed to transport lumber across the Great Lakes.

HISTORY #

The Atlantic was a prominent steamship during the mid-19th century, initially serving as part of the Union Transportation Company’s fleet. The ship played a vital role in connecting Chicago and Buffalo, carrying both passengers and freight. Later, under the ownership of the Grummond Line, the vessel was utilized on the Detroit to Mackinaw City route, making frequent stops at various ports along the Lake Huron shoreline.

After 33 years of service, the Atlantic was left neglected in Detroit from 1897 to 1899, during which time it suffered two fires that nearly destroyed it. However, due to the high demand for lumber transportation on the Great Lakes, the ship’s hull was repaired and the vessel was rebuilt as the Homer Warren in 1901. This conversion allowed the aging vessel to return to service, now dedicated to transporting lumber, a crucial industry at the time.

In 1914, the Homer Warren was sold to Canadian interests and continued its service on the Great Lakes. However, the vessel’s long and storied career came to a tragic end on October 28, 1919, when it foundered on Lake Ontario near Sodus Point, New York. The ship was lost with all nine crew members on board, marking a sorrowful conclusion to its decades of service.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The Homer Warren met its end in the cold waters of Lake Ontario during a storm on October 28, 1919. The ship foundered near Sodus Point, and despite the best efforts of the crew, all nine lives were lost. The exact circumstances of the sinking remain unclear, but the vessel’s age and the harsh conditions of the lake likely played a role in its demise.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the Homer Warren. However, the waters near Sodus Point are known for their challenging navigation conditions, especially during storms, and mariners should exercise caution.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The wreck of the Homer Warren is noted to be in the vicinity of the provided GPS coordinates, though specific details about the discovery or exploration of the wreck are not widely documented. The location is near Sodus Point, a well-known area for shipwrecks in Lake Ontario.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

Due to the age of the wreck and the likely depth at which it lies, the Homer Warren is not a commonly visited site for divers. The exact condition of the wreck remains undocumented in detail, though it is presumed to be deteriorated given the time it has spent underwater.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

For further information on the Homer Warren and its history, the following resources were referenced:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Great Lakes Ships
• Bowling Green State University, Historic Vessels Index
• NOAA Mariners Weather Log – Apr 2015