IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION:
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:
The Philip D. Armour was a bulk freighter constructed in 1889, notable for its sturdy oak construction and dual-deck design. The ship measured 264 feet in length, with a beam of 40 feet, and a depth of 21 feet. The vessel’s gross tonnage was 1990, and its net tonnage was 1452, making it a sizable cargo carrier of its time. The freighter was powered by a screw propulsion system, utilizing a for-and-aft compound engine capable of producing 750 horsepower, which was manufactured by Dry Dock Engine Works in Detroit, Michigan. Additionally, it housed two 12′ x 14′, 110-pound steam firebox boilers.
HISTORY:
The Philip D. Armour was launched in 1889 in Detroit, Michigan, and initially operated out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the ownership of R.P. Fitzgerald et al. The vessel was part of the “White Fleet,” a well-known fleet at the time, and was primarily used for transporting coal and grain across the Great Lakes.
The freighter had a somewhat troubled history, experiencing several significant incidents throughout its operational life. Just after its launch, the Philip D. Armour sank in a collision with the steamer Marion in the St. Clair River in April 1889. However, the ship was salvaged and repaired by Reid Wrecking & Towing Co., returning to service later that year.
In 1907, the ship became part of the Pittsburgh & Erie Coal Co. fleet but continued to operate mainly on Lake Michigan and Lake Erie, transporting essential cargoes. By 1914, the Philip D. Armour was laid up in Misery Bay, Erie, Pennsylvania, awaiting further use.
In 1915, the freighter was chartered by John J. Boland of Buffalo, New York, and converted into a tow barge due to its outdated machinery. It resumed operations, focusing on coal transport across Lake Erie. Unfortunately, on November 15, 1915, the Philip D. Armour met its demise. While being towed by the tug Henry E. Gillen from Ashtabula, Ohio, to Welland, Ontario, the ship broke away from its tow and struck a reef near Waldamere Park, west of Erie, Pennsylvania. The vessel holed and sank shortly afterward.
FINAL DISPOSITION:
The Philip D. Armour was declared a total loss after the incident on November 15, 1915. The freighter, carrying a load of coal, sank after striking a reef. Although there was no loss of life, the vessel eventually slipped into deeper waters after the crew abandoned it. Over time, the wreckage of the Philip D. Armour has become a part of Lake Erie’s underwater landscape.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES:
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to this wreck site. However, caution is advised for boaters and divers in the area due to the shallow depth and potential underwater hazards associated with the wreckage.
LOCATED BY & DATE:
The wreck of the Philip D. Armour was identified and documented in historical records shortly after its sinking in 1915. The site is known to local historians and divers.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Great Lakes Ships
- Bowling Green State University
- YouTube – Search for videos related to the Philip D. Armour and other Great Lakes shipwrecks.
CONCLUSION:
The Philip D. Armour serves as a significant reminder of the perils faced by freighters navigating the Great Lakes in the early 20th century. Despite its robust construction and multiple lives, the vessel’s journey ended tragically off the coast of Erie, Pennsylvania. The wreck remains a historical site of interest, both for its engineering and the stories of resilience and tragedy it represents.
Keywords:
#PhilipDArmour #GreatLakes #Shipwreck #LakeErie #BulkFreighter #HistoricalShipwreck #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #EriePennsylvania
