SITE DESCRIPTION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The William R. Linn was a large steel-built steamer constructed in 1898. With a length of 400 feet and a gross tonnage of 4,328 tons, it was a significant vessel primarily engaged in passenger service on the Great Lakes. The ship was powered by an engine producing 1,800 indicated horsepower, making it a robust vessel capable of navigating the challenging waters of the Great Lakes.
HISTORY #
The William R. Linn had a distinguished service history on the Great Lakes, serving as a passenger vessel between various ports, including its home port of Chicago, Illinois. However, its service was interrupted by a tragic incident on November 1, 1918, when it collided with the Canadian steamer America above Port Huron, Michigan.
The collision occurred during a period marked by numerous maritime accidents and storms on the Great Lakes, as World War I was drawing to a close. The impact with the America caused the William R. Linn to sink in Lake Huron. Despite the severity of the incident, the crew of the William R. Linn was successfully rescued, preventing any loss of life.
Following the sinking, efforts were made to raise the William R. Linn. The operation was successful, and the vessel was brought back to the surface. However, the details of the ship’s condition following the raising and its subsequent fate are not well-documented in the available historical records.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The William R. Linn was raised after sinking following its collision with the Canadian steamer America in 1918. The exact details of what happened to the vessel after it was raised, including whether it was repaired and returned to service or scrapped, are not provided in the historical summary.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The William R. Linn sank above Port Huron, Michigan, in Lake Huron on November 1, 1918. The vessel was subsequently raised, but the precise location and condition of the wreck at the time of raising are not detailed.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the William R. Linn. As the vessel was raised, it no longer poses a navigational hazard.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships Database: Great Lakes Ships
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: David Swayze Shipwreck File
CONCLUSION #
The story of the William R. Linn highlights the challenges and dangers faced by vessels operating on the Great Lakes, particularly during the turbulent period of World War I. The collision with the Canadian steamer America and the subsequent sinking of the William R. Linn serve as a reminder of the importance of navigational safety in these busy waterways. Although the vessel was successfully raised, its final disposition remains unclear, leaving a lingering question in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history.
KEYWORDS #
- William R. Linn steamer
- Lake Huron shipwreck
- Port Huron Michigan
- Great Lakes maritime history
- 20th-century steamer
- Ship collision 1918
GPS COORDINATES & ADDITIONAL INFO #
Specific GPS coordinates for the sinking site of the William R. Linn are not available. As the vessel was raised after the sinking, it no longer remains on the lakebed. Further research may provide additional details regarding the vessel’s final fate.
