1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The ATLANTIS, originally named DESPATCH, was a wooden oil screw salvage tug built in 1916. Designed for durability and utility, the vessel served multiple roles throughout its operational life, including as a fish tug before transitioning into salvage work. The tug was relatively small in size but well-suited to the rugged demands of salvage operations on the Great Lakes.
3. HISTORY #
The vessel was constructed by F. F. Paasch in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1916, and initially served under the name DESPATCH. As a fish tug, the vessel played a crucial role in the local fishing industry, navigating the challenging waters of Lake Erie. In 1919, the vessel underwent a tonnage change, with its gross tonnage adjusted to 15 tons and its net tonnage to 10 tons.
In 1953, the tug was renamed ATLANTIS after being acquired by Luther & Collins Commercial Divers, a Cleveland-based company specializing in underwater salvage operations. It is unclear whether the vessel was actively engaged in salvage work at the time of its loss.
On November 21, 1958, the ATLANTIS met its end during a storm off the coast of Erieau, Ontario, on Lake Erie. The specifics of the storm, the circumstances leading to the vessel’s demise, and the details of the crew’s fate remain largely undocumented. The lack of available information leaves many questions about the final moments of the ATLANTIS unanswered.
4. FINAL DISPOSITION #
The ATLANTIS was lost on November 21, 1958, during a storm off the coast of Erieau, Ontario, in Lake Erie. The vessel, which had a long history under both its original and later name, succumbed to the rough conditions of the lake, with the wreck’s location and condition remaining unclear.
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the ATLANTIS.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE #
The exact location of the ATLANTIS’s wreck is not specified, and there are no records indicating whether it has been located or surveyed since its loss in 1958.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
Given the lack of detailed records and the passage of time, the current condition of the ATLANTIS remains unknown. The wreck may lie in a deteriorated state, potentially buried or scattered due to the storm that caused its sinking. The exact site of the wreck has not been documented, making it difficult to assess its accessibility for exploration or diving.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS #
9. ADDITIONAL NOTES #
The story of the ATLANTIS, from its origins as the DESPATCH to its final days as a salvage tug, reflects the varied and often perilous nature of work on the Great Lakes. The loss of the ATLANTIS during a storm in 1958 serves as a reminder of the ever-present dangers faced by vessels navigating these inland seas. The lack of detailed records regarding the vessel’s final moments adds an air of mystery to its history, leaving room for speculation and further research.
10. DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS #
Due to the limited information about the wreck’s location and condition, diving opportunities related to the ATLANTIS are uncertain. If the wreck were to be located, it could offer a fascinating glimpse into a lesser-known chapter of Great Lakes maritime history. Divers interested in searching for the ATLANTIS should proceed with caution and seek out local expertise to enhance the likelihood of a successful exploration.
TAGS #
- Great Lakes Shipwreck
- ATLANTIS
- DESPATCH
- Lake Erie
- 1958 Storm
- Salvage Tug
- Shipwreck
- Maritime Mystery
- Commercial Divers
CONCLUSION #
The ATLANTIS, originally known as the DESPATCH, lived a long and varied life as both a fish tug and a salvage vessel on the Great Lakes. Its loss in a storm off the coast of Erieau, Ontario, in 1958 marks the end of its story, one characterized by resilience and adaptability. The details of its final voyage remain unclear, contributing to the mystery surrounding this vessel. The ATLANTIS’s legacy, however, endures in the records of Great Lakes maritime history, where it stands as a testament to the challenges and risks inherent in life on these vast waters.
