IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
# |
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The ADIRAMLED was a bulk freighter, originally built as the CITY OF FREMONT in 1866. The vessel was designed to transport bulk cargo across the Great Lakes, and over its long service life, it underwent several modifications and ownership changes. After being rebuilt as a steam barge in 1906, the vessel measured 191.5 feet in length, 27.4 feet in beam, and 10.6 feet in depth, with gross tonnage reduced to 565 and net tonnage to 375.
HISTORY #
The vessel was first enrolled as the CITY OF FREMONT on May 8, 1866, by the Fremont Transportation Company, operating on the Buffalo-Fremont route. In 1867, it was acquired by John Pridgeon of Detroit and began service on the Sarnia-Chicago route under the Grand Trunk Line. Significant modifications, including lengthening, were made in 1870, which increased the vessel’s size and capacity, making it a prominent freighter on the Great Lakes.
The CITY OF FREMONT encountered a collision in July 1870 in Buffalo, severely damaging the tug HARRISON. Over the years, the vessel changed ownership multiple times, serving different routes and undergoing several repairs and renovations, including a notable refit in 1906 when it was rebuilt as a steam barge and renamed ADIRAMLED on July 3, 1907.
Despite its long and storied history, the ADIRAMLED’s final years were marked by challenges. In 1912, after being sold to a Canadian party and registered in Canada, the vessel met its tragic end on June 6, 1912, when it sank in Lake Ontario, 6 miles east of Stoney Island in Dutch John Bay. The exact circumstances of the sinking are not well-documented, but the event led to the closure of the vessel’s registration.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The ADIRAMLED sank on June 6, 1912, in Lake Ontario. The vessel was lost 6 miles east of Stoney Island in Dutch John Bay. Its sinking marked the end of a long and varied career on the Great Lakes, transitioning from a prominent bulk freighter to a steam barge over its lifetime.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SITE #
The wreck of the ADIRAMLED is significant as it represents a vessel that experienced a rich and varied history on the Great Lakes, reflecting the evolution of maritime transport during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The site of the wreck is important for understanding the construction and modifications of bulk freighters and steam barges during this period. The vessel’s transition from an American to a Canadian-registered ship also highlights the cross-border nature of Great Lakes shipping.
FUTURE EXPLORATION AND PRESERVATION #
The wreck site, located 6 miles east of Stoney Island in Dutch John Bay, presents an opportunity for further exploration and study. Efforts to document and preserve the site could provide valuable insights into the vessel’s construction, modifications, and final moments. Preservation of the site would ensure that this piece of Great Lakes maritime history remains accessible for future research and educational purposes.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Great Lakes Ships Website: A resource for detailed information on ships that operated on the Great Lakes, including the ADIRAMLED.
- Bowling Green State University HCGL Website: Contains historical records and archives related to Great Lakes vessels.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: A comprehensive database of shipwrecks on the Great Lakes.
- Library and Archives Canada: Holds records related to the Canadian registration and ownership of the ADIRAMLED.
