Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: David W. Mills
- Type: Wooden screw steamer / bulk freighter
- Year Built: 1874
- Builder: Thomas Quayle & Sons, Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: ~202 ft (61.6 m) × ~34 ft (10.4 m) beam × ~18 ft (≈5.5 m) depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: ~925 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 3.6 m / 12 ft
- Location: Ford Shoal, Lake Ontario, approx. 4.5 miles (≈7.2 km) west of Oswego, New York
- Coordinates: approx. 43° 26.63′ N, 76° 35.089′ W
- Official Number: Unknown / Not verified
- Original Owners: Cleveland Transportation Company; later Orient Transportation Co.; later Mills Transportation Co.; possibly Border Steamship Corporation
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The *David W. Mills* was a wooden-hulled screw-propelled bulk freighter (steamer) used to transport heavy bulk cargo (lumber, coal, building materials) across the Great Lakes. It featured two decks and single-propeller propulsion, designed for relatively shallow draft trade.
Description
Built in 1874 by Thomas Quayle & Sons in Cleveland, Ohio, the vessel operated under several ownerships over its service life, including Cleveland Transportation Company, Orient Transportation Co., Mills Transportation Co., and possibly Border Steamship Corporation. It was renamed *David W. Mills* from *Sparta* sometime before 1919.
History
On the morning of **11 August 1919**, around 5:30 a.m., the vessel struck Ford Shoal under severely reduced visibility caused by smoke from Canadian forest fires. Attempts to refloat or avoid grounding failed; later storms broke apart the wreck.
Significant Incidents
- Grounding on Ford Shoal due to poor visibility on 11 August 1919.
- Declared a total loss after being broken up by storms.
Final Disposition
The primary cause of loss was grounding under poor visibility. The vessel was declared a total loss after being broken up by storms. The wreck remains in situ, partially intact (hull bottom sections) with scattered debris. No fatalities are known.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck location has been known locally and was formally documented by historical and dive groups in the late 20th century. It was designated a New York Submerged Cultural Preserve & Dive Site in 2000. The wreck is partially intact, with the hull bottom sections remaining and debris scattered across the shoal.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sparta-david-w-mills” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As a protected site, divers are encouraged to practice no-touch documentation methods. Remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories, ensuring the preservation of this historical wreck for future generations.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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