1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Gordon Campbell, later renamed Strathmore, was a twin screw wooden freighter built in 1871 by Campbell & Owen in Detroit, Michigan. The vessel was a two-deck package freighter with a wooden hull reinforced by steel chords inside its frames. It measured 205.5 feet (62.6 meters) in length, with a beam of 32.5 feet (9.9 meters) and a depth of 13.1 feet (4 meters). Originally, the freighter had a gross tonnage of 996.14 tons and a net tonnage of 709 tons. It was powered by two for-and-aft compound engines with four cylinders (22 and 32 inches by 30 inches) and driven by twin screws. The engines and boilers were manufactured by the Dry Dock Engine Works, a prominent engine builder of the era.
3. HISTORY #
The Gordon Campbell began its service on the Great Lakes in 1871, owned by Campbell, Owen & Co. of Detroit. The freighter was built with the capability to carry a variety of packaged goods across the Great Lakes and played an essential role in the commercial shipping industry during its time.
In 1905, the vessel was sold to George Plunkett and others in Cobourg, Ontario, where it was renamed Strathmore. The ship was re-registered under the official number C116813, and its gross tonnage increased to 1158 tons. As Strathmore, the vessel continued to operate as a package freighter, transporting goods on the St. Lawrence River and other connected waterways.
However, on November 8, 1906, Strathmore encountered a severe storm while en route from Fort William to Kingston. The ship struck bottom near Michipicoten Island, Lake Superior. After running aground, the vessel caught fire, and the storm eventually pushed the burning ship into deeper water, where it sank. This incident marked the end of the Strathmore, once known as the Gordon Campbell.
4. FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Strathmore, formerly known as the Gordon Campbell, was wrecked on November 8, 1906, near Michipicoten Island in Lake Superior. The vessel struck bottom during a storm, caught fire, and was ultimately pushed into deeper water by the storm’s force. The wreck now lies at a depth ranging from 10 to 30 feet (3 to 9 meters) near the west shore of Michipicoten Island in Shafer Bay.
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories specifically related to the wreck of the Strathmore. However, mariners navigating near Michipicoten Island should be aware of the shallow waters and potential underwater hazards, including the remains of the wreck.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the Strathmore is located near the west shore of Michipicoten Island in Shafer Bay, Lake Superior, at the coordinates 47° 44.733′ N, 85° 57.128′ W. The specific date of the wreck’s discovery is not provided.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The wreck of the Strathmore lies at a shallow depth of 10 to 30 feet (3 to 9 meters), making it accessible to divers of all experience levels. The wreckage is likely scattered and deteriorated due to the wooden construction and the fire that occurred before it sank. Divers exploring the site should exercise caution and respect the historical significance of the wreck.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Historical records and sources on the freighter Gordon Campbell/Strathmore
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Website
- Bowling Green State University: Website
- Great Lakes Ships: Website
9. ADDITIONAL NOTES #
The Gordon Campbell, later known as Strathmore, was a significant vessel during its time, contributing to the transportation of goods across the Great Lakes. The vessel’s transition from its original ownership in Detroit to Canadian ownership and its eventual wreck in Lake Superior reflect the broader trends of the maritime industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The wreck serves as a testament to the hazards faced by vessels on the Great Lakes, particularly during the volatile fall months when storms are frequent and severe.
10. DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS #
The wreck of the Strathmore lies at a depth of 10 to 30 feet (3 to 9 meters), making it accessible to recreational divers. The site is suitable for beginner divers due to its shallow depth, but divers should be mindful of the wreck’s historical significance and the potential hazards of exploring a site that has been exposed to the elements for over a century.
TAGS #
- Lake Superior
- 19th Century
- Wooden Freighter
- Maritime History
- Shipwreck
- Diving Site
CONCLUSION #
The twin screw wooden freighter Gordon Campbell, later renamed Strathmore, served a long and varied career on the Great Lakes before meeting its end in a storm near Michipicoten Island in 1906. The wreck, now lying in Shafer Bay, remains a significant part of the maritime history of the region. The site offers an accessible and intriguing location for divers and historians alike to explore and study the legacy of Great Lakes shipping.
