Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Philip Becker
- Type: Wooden steam tug (screw-propelled)
- Year Built: 1876
- Builder: J. LeRock, Buffalo, NY
- Dimensions: 51 ft × 13.3 ft × 6.4 ft (15.5 m × 4.1 m × 1.95 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 28 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 90 m / 295 ft
- Location: Approx. 10 miles off Oswego, Lake Ontario
- Coordinates: Unknown (within NOAA’s Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary)
- Official Number: 74214
- Original Owners: William McRae (Montreal, original); Hickler Bros. (Buffalo, 1879)
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Philip Becker was a wooden steam-powered tugboat designed for towing operations in the Great Lakes. It featured a single screw propulsion system.
Description
The Philip Becker was built in 1876 by J. LeRock in Buffalo, NY. It measured 51 ft in length and had a gross tonnage of 28. The wreck site is located in deep water, upright and largely intact, with the pilot house collapsed and the ship’s wheel lying on the main deck, indicating prolonged preservation in cold water.
History
Originally owned by William McRae of Montreal, the tug was transferred in 1879 to Hickler Brothers of Buffalo. On 16 November 1879, the Philip Becker assisted the tug Seymour in towing dredges and scows. During a severe storm, it struck the stern of the dredge Gordon, taking on water. The crew evacuated to the Gordon, which later sank, resulting in the loss of all three crew members from the Becker.
Significant Incidents
- 16 November 1879: The Philip Becker struck the dredge Gordon during a storm.
- 17 November 1879: The Philip Becker sank after taking on water, followed by the Gordon sinking hours later.
Final Disposition
The Philip Becker foundered amid gale conditions during the storm of 16–17 November 1879. It now lies upright on the lakebed of Lake Ontario, approximately 10 miles off Oswego, preserved in cold freshwater.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is largely intact, with structural integrity except for the collapsed pilot house. It is located in deep water, making it a technical dive site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”philip-becker-us-74212″ title=”References & Links”]
The Philip Becker serves as a significant historical site, with ongoing documentation and research efforts to understand its history and the events surrounding its loss.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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