IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Avery, Waldo A. was a wooden bulk freighter built to transport iron ore and grain across the Great Lakes. The vessel featured a screw propulsion system, supported by a for-and-aft compound engine with two cylinders, providing 560 horsepower. The ship’s construction emphasized durability, with a robust 18-inch triple-thick hull designed to endure the harsh conditions of the Great Lakes.
HISTORY #
The Avery, Waldo A. was launched on August 27, 1884, and initially served the iron ore and grain trades. The vessel was owned by H.A. Hawgood of Bay City and Waldo A. Avery of East Saginaw. Throughout its early career, the vessel experienced multiple incidents, including a collision with the WALLULA in 1885 and a fire near McGulpin’s Point in 1893.
After undergoing a significant rebuild by James Davidson in 1895, the vessel was renamed PHENIX. It continued to operate under various ownerships, including the Steamer Phenix Co., Phoenix Transportation Co., and eventually George B. Hall Coal Co. The ship faced several more incidents, including running aground near Cheboygan, Michigan, in 1906.
In 1918, the vessel was renamed LIBERTY, continuing to operate under the ownership of the George Hall Coal Transportation Co. Its active service concluded when it was dismantled and abandoned on April 11, 1923.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Avery, Waldo A./PHENIX/LIBERTY was dismantled and abandoned at Ogdensburg, New York, in 1924. The remnants of the vessel were used as part of a dock at the Diamond Match (Algonquin) plant, where it was eventually submerged and forgotten.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories are related to the wreck site.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The exact location of the wreck is known to be near Ogdensburg, New York, where it was dismantled and incorporated into a dock structure in 1924.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The remains of the Avery, Waldo A. (PHENIX/LIBERTY) are not accessible for diving, as they are buried under the dock at the Diamond Match plant. The vessel’s structure has likely deteriorated over time, with little remaining above water.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
External Links:
- Great Lakes Ships
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Bowling Green State University
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Vessels History
9KEYWORDS #
Avery Waldo A, PHENIX, LIBERTY, Great Lakes, Shipwreck, Bulk Freighter, Iron Ore, Grain, George Hall Coal & Transportation, Dismantled Vessel, Ogdensburg, 1924, Maritime History
ANALYSIS #
The Avery, Waldo A. exemplifies the rugged life of bulk freighters on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The vessel’s multiple incidents, including fires, collisions, and groundings, reflect the dangers faced by ships of that era. Its transformation from Avery, Waldo A. to PHENIX and finally LIBERTY also illustrates the practice of rebuilding and renaming vessels to extend their operational life. The ship’s final use as part of a dock at the Diamond Match plant demonstrates how even in disuse, these vessels continued to serve a practical purpose long after their active service ended.
