Adriatic US 302

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: ADRIATIC
• Type: Passenger steamer (converted to a barge in 1871)
• Year Built: 1856
• Builder: Buffalo, New York
• Dimensions: Length: 183.8 ft (56 m); Beam: 31.6 ft (9.6 m); Depth: 11.9 ft (3.6 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 482.38 tons
• Location: Near Long Point, Ontario
• Original Owners: Charles Bancroft, Elijah K. Bruce, Bank of Cazenovia, William Moore, William O. Brown, Thomas Coatsworth, Evans Buffalo & Chicago Line, Sidney T. Wilson, James M. Ballentine
• Number of Masts: One mast

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Initially a passenger steamer, the ADRIATIC served various companies across the Great Lakes. After its conversion into a barge in 1871, it transitioned into carrying cargo, reflecting its diminished passenger role and the evolving shipping demands of the time.

Description

The ADRIATIC was designed with a single deck and robust wooden hull, suitable for passenger transport. After conversion to a barge, its figurehead and round stern were removed, reducing its aesthetic appeal but optimizing it for utilitarian purposes. Its one mast and stripped-down design reflected its simpler role in cargo transport.

History

The ADRIATIC had a storied and eventful career on the Great Lakes:

• Early Service: In 1856, shortly after its launch, the vessel suffered a broken shaft near Buffalo. In 1857, machinery failures occurred near Port Albino, Ontario, requiring further repairs.
• Ownership Transfers: Ownership changed frequently, with notable periods of operation under the Evans Buffalo & Chicago Line and Sidney T. Wilson of Chicago.
• Conversion: By 1871, under James M. Ballentine, the ADRIATIC was converted into a barge to adapt to changing industry demands.

The vessel endured multiple incidents, including collisions, groundings, and machinery issues, all of which were resolved until its fateful end.

Significant Incidents

Final Voyage and Sinking: On October 1, 1872, the ADRIATIC was being towed by the tug Wm. A. MOORE during a severe gale on Lake Erie. Along with the barge BALTIC, it foundered near Long Point, Ontario. Tragically, all seven aboard the ADRIATIC, including five men and two women, perished. The incident highlighted the dangers of Great Lakes navigation during the 19th century.

Final Disposition

Declared a total loss; documents surrendered on March 8, 1873, in Detroit, Michigan.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the ADRIATIC remains submerged in Lake Erie, serving as a historical site for divers and researchers. As with all shipwrecks, divers are encouraged to practice no-touch documentation methods and to respect the site, leaving only bubbles and taking only memories.

Resources & Links

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The ADRIATIC’s career reflects the dynamic and often treacherous nature of Great Lakes shipping. From its early days as a passenger steamer to its conversion into a barge, the vessel’s history offers valuable insights into the challenges of maritime commerce and the risks endured by those who worked these waters. Its sinking stands as a somber chapter in the maritime history of Lake Erie.