VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Eliza H. Strong was a steam-powered vessel owned by the Strong Transportation Company of Tonawanda, New York. Designed for the transportation of heavy cargo, including lumber, the steamer had a registered capacity of 761 tons, making it a formidable ship on the Great Lakes. Steamers like the Eliza H. Strong were integral to the shipping industry, providing essential services in transporting goods across the vast and often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes.
HISTORY #
On October 27, 1904, the Eliza H. Strong met its tragic end when a ferocious fire broke out onboard, leading to the vessel’s total loss near Port Huron, Michigan. The ship was laden with lumber and was traveling in tandem with the schooner Our Son. Despite the best efforts to combat the blaze, the fire rapidly consumed the vessel, rendering it unsalvageable. Fortunately, the crew managed to escape the inferno, avoiding loss of life.
RESTING PLACE #
The remnants of the Eliza H. Strong now lie 7.3 meters (24 feet) beneath the surface of Lake Huron, approximately 4,433 feet southeast of Lexington Dock, Michigan. The wreck site is located at an azimuth of 309 degrees 30 minutes with a bearing of southeast half east. The vessel is fully submerged, with no part of the wreckage protruding above the water’s surface, posing a hidden danger to surface navigation.
SALVAGING EFFORTS #
Following the disaster, the Reid Wrecking Company of Port Huron undertook the challenging task of removing the burned hulk of the Eliza H. Strong. The wreck lay about a mile off the harbor of Lexington, Michigan. The wrecking crew aimed to remove critical parts of the vessel, including its engines and boilers, to mitigate the risks posed to other vessels navigating the area.
During the salvage operations, complications arose as the buoys marking the wreck’s location went missing. The absence of these markers increased the hazard to nearby vessels. To address this, the Reid Wrecking Company considered using dynamite to clear the hull and ensure the site’s safety. Despite these efforts, the wreck was later identified as a “dangerous to surface navigation” site in a 1985 survey, confirming that it remained a potential hazard due to its shallow depth of 13 feet.
CONCLUSION #
The fiery demise of the Eliza H. Strong serves as a stark reminder of the perilous conditions faced by vessels on the Great Lakes. The tragic event highlights the importance of maritime safety, the unpredictable nature of the Great Lakes, and the challenges faced during salvage operations. Today, the wreck of the Eliza H. Strong lies quietly beneath the waters of Lake Huron, a silent testament to the dangers that have claimed countless ships and lives on these inland seas.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary: Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
GPS COORDINATES & ADDITIONAL INFO #
The wreck site of the Eliza H. Strong is located at Latitude 43°15’44.5″N and Longitude 82°30’40″W, approximately 24 feet below the surface. Mariners and authorities should exercise caution in the area due to the shallow depth of the wreck and its designation as dangerous to surface navigation.
