Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Acadia
- Type: Two-deck screw (propeller) steamer
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: John Malcolmson, Hamilton, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length 177 ft (53.9 m); Beam 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold 12.3 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 806 gross tons
- Location: Near Michipicoten River, Lake Superior
- Coordinates: Not specified
- Official Number: 77697
- Original Owners: Malcolmson Brothers; Elizabeth Malcolmson; Margaret Sutherland; John W. & Donald G. Sutherland
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
- Two-deck screw (propeller) steamer
- Composite hull (likely iron frame with wood planking)
- Powered by a single-cylinder, low-pressure condensing engine
- Engine built by Beckett & Co., Hamilton – 32 in x 32 in cylinder, rated 87 hp
Description
Originally measured at 41.5 m x 8.2 m x 2.1 m (136 ft x 27 ft x 7 ft) with 339 gross tons.
Post-1877: 135.8 ft x 24.6 ft x 7 ft, 372.39 gross tons
Post-1882 rebuild: 53.9 m x 7.9 m x 3.7 m (177 ft x 26 ft x 12.3 ft), 806 gross tons
The vessel was lengthened in 1882 and rebuilt in 1887 at a cost of $7,000. The Acadia featured dual decks, a low-sitting superstructure, and was intended for bulk freight and government service deliveries.
History
Commissioned by Malcolmson Brothers, the Acadia initially served both commercial and government functions, notably supplying Canadian lake lighthouses in 1868. She is noted in 1871 as having iron frames, confirming her composite construction.
Ownership Timeline:
- 1867: Malcolmson Brothers
- 1877: Elizabeth Malcolmson
- 1878: Margaret Sutherland
- 1880: John W. & Donald G. Sutherland, St. Thomas
- 1882–1887: Underwent major lengthening and repairs
- Subsequent ownership details are unclear, though the vessel remained in commercial service
The ship was re-measured several times, reflecting her extensive structural changes. Her rebuilt form was significantly larger and better suited for long-haul freight.
Significant Incidents
- Declared lost on 4 November 1896, the Acadia ran aground near the mouth of the Michipicoten River during an overdue passage.
- All 17 crew members survived.
- The wreck was not salvaged and was officially written off.
- The registry closure occurred 15 years later in 1911.
Final Disposition
The wreck’s precise coordinates and discovery history are unrecorded. It is likely visible or locally known but not charted in formal archaeological databases or surveys.
Current Condition & Accessibility
None noted specifically for the Acadia. Navigators near the Michipicoten River should still exercise caution due to known historical wrecks in the vicinity.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”acadia-c-77697″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Acadia was emblematic of a transitional period in Great Lakes shipbuilding, combining iron and wood in a propeller-driven configuration. Her extensive modifications reflect evolving cargo needs in the late 19th century. Her loss, though not tragic in human terms, marks the end of a dynamic operational life. The lack of a documented wreck site adds to her mystery, offering a potential target for historical marine survey work.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
ACADIA (1867)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name(s): Acadia
- Official Number: Not specified
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: John Malcolmson, Hamilton, Ontario
- Final Location: Near Michipicoten River, Lake Superior
- Date Lost: 4 November 1896
- Coordinates: Not specified
- Depth: Unknown
- Registry Closed: 17 December 1911
Vessel Type
- Two-deck screw (propeller) steamer
- Composite hull (likely iron frame with wood planking)
- Powered by a single-cylinder, low-pressure condensing engine
- Engine built by Beckett & Co., Hamilton – 32 in x 32 in cylinder, rated 87 hp
Description
Originally measured at 41.5 m x 8.2 m x 2.1 m (136 ft x 27 ft x 7 ft) with 339 gross tons.
Post-1877: 135.8 ft x 24.6 ft x 7 ft, 372.39 gross tons
Post-1882 rebuild: 53.9 m x 7.9 m x 3.7 m (177 ft x 26 ft x 12.3 ft), 806 gross tons
The vessel was lengthened in 1882 and rebuilt in 1887 at a cost of $7,000. The Acadia featured dual decks, a low-sitting superstructure, and was intended for bulk freight and government service deliveries.
History
Commissioned by Malcolmson Brothers, the Acadia initially served both commercial and government functions, notably supplying Canadian lake lighthouses in 1868. She is noted in 1871 as having iron frames, confirming her composite construction.
Ownership Timeline:
- 1867: Malcolmson Brothers
- 1877: Elizabeth Malcolmson
- 1878: Margaret Sutherland
- 1880: John W. & Donald G. Sutherland, St. Thomas
- 1882–1887: Underwent major lengthening and repairs
- Subsequent ownership details are unclear, though the vessel remained in commercial service
The ship was re-measured several times, reflecting her extensive structural changes. Her rebuilt form was significantly larger and better suited for long-haul freight.
Final Disposition
Declared lost on 4 November 1896, the Acadia ran aground near the mouth of the Michipicoten River during an overdue passage. All 17 crew members survived. The wreck was not salvaged and was officially written off. The registry closure occurred 15 years later in 1911.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck’s precise coordinates and discovery history are unrecorded. It is likely visible or locally known but not charted in formal archaeological databases or surveys.
Notmars & Advisories
None noted specifically for the Acadia. Navigators near the Michipicoten River should still exercise caution due to known historical wrecks in the vicinity.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Ships – BGSU
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- WaWa History Archive
- Silent Sports Magazine articles on Lake Superior wrecks
Shore Dive Information
- Shore Access Location: Michipicoten River area, near Wawa, ON
- Entry Type: Unknown
- Depth Range: Unknown
- Current & Conditions: Likely cold, with poor visibility; typical of Superior’s northern shore
- Skill Level: Advanced (potential cold/deep)
- Safety & Emergency Info:
- Nearest hyperbaric chamber: Sault Area Hospital, Sault Ste. Marie, ON
- 911 Services: Wawa, ON
- Emergency contacts: Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton (1-800-267-7270)
- Local Regulations: Diving may be subject to Parks Canada or Ontario Ministry of Heritage permits
- Best Time to Dive: July–September
- Driving Directions: Google Maps | Apple Maps
- Additional Resources: Lake Superior Provincial Park authorities; Wawa dive community
Conclusion
The Acadia was emblematic of a transitional period in Great Lakes shipbuilding, combining iron and wood in a propeller-driven configuration. Her extensive modifications reflect evolving cargo needs in the late 19th century. Her loss, though not tragic in human terms, marks the end of a dynamic operational life. The lack of a documented wreck site adds to her mystery, offering a potential target for historical marine survey work.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
Tags: Composite hull, propeller steamer, Lake Superior, Wawa ON, 19th century, shipwreck, Michipicoten, Hamilton ON, maritime history, wooden steamers
Categories: 19th Century Vessels, Composite Construction, Lost Wrecks, Lake Superior Wrecks
Glossary: Composite Hull, Rebuild, Gross/Net Tonnage, Registry Closure, Shore Dive