Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Acadia C 77697

Explore the wreck of the Acadia, a 19th-century propeller steamer lost in Lake Superior. Discover its history and dive conditions.

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

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.