Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: ANDASTE
- Type: Propeller-driven, steel-hulled, self-unloading sandsucker
- Year Built: 1892
- Builder: Cleveland Shipbuilding Co., Cleveland, Ohio (Hull #16)
- Dimensions: 246 ft (75 m) length; Beam: 38 ft (11.6 m); Depth of hold: 18 ft (5.5 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,439 gross tons, 1,121 net tons
- Location: Approximately 14 miles west of Holland, Michigan
- Official Number: 106926
- Original Owners: Andaste Steamship Co.
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Self-Unloading Sandsucker (Propeller-driven, steel-hulled)Description
The ANDASTE was a steel-hulled sandsucker designed for the transport of gravel and similar bulk materials. Her self-unloading mechanism made her a valuable asset for the Andaste Steamship Co., especially in the booming construction industry around the Great Lakes during the early 20th century. The vessel was originally built to larger dimensions but was later modified to meet changing logistical requirements, particularly to navigate the Welland Canal.
History
Launched in 1892 by the Cleveland Shipbuilding Co. in Cleveland, Ohio, the ANDASTE was a sister ship to the semi-whaleback CHOCTAW, sharing a similar hull design that combined traditional freighter lines with the unique characteristics of a whaleback ship. Her original length of 267 feet (81.4 m) was reduced by 20 feet (6.1 m) in 1920-1921 to enable her to pass through the Welland Canal, reflecting the adaptive nature of Great Lakes shipping companies to evolving infrastructure and trade routes.
On September 9, 1929, while transporting a load of gravel from Grand Haven, Michigan, to Chicago, the ANDASTE disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The vessel was last sighted approximately 14 miles west of Holland, Michigan. The loss of all 25 crew members suggests a sudden catastrophic event, although the exact cause remains unknown. Overloading has been speculated as a contributing factor, but no definitive evidence has surfaced. The ship was owned by the Andaste Steamship Co. at the time of her disappearance.
Despite search efforts, the ANDASTE was never located, and her fate remains one of the many unsolved maritime mysteries of the Great Lakes. The tragedy underscores the perils faced by freighters on Lake Michigan, where sudden storms, shifting cargo, or structural failures could lead to devastating losses.
Significant Incidents
- Disappeared on September 9, 1929, while transporting gravel.
- Last sighted approximately 14 miles west of Holland, Michigan.
- All 25 crew members lost; cause of loss remains unknown.
Final Disposition
Presumed sunk; the wreck has never been located.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil—the wreck of the ANDASTE remains undiscovered as of the latest available information.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”andaste-us-106926″ title=”References & Links”]
The disappearance of the ANDASTE is a poignant reminder of the unpredictable dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes. As a vessel that had been modified to extend her service life and adaptability, her sudden loss without a trace highlights the potential vulnerabilities in even well-constructed ships. While overloading is a suspected cause, the absence of concrete evidence has left room for speculation and mystery. The ANDASTE‘s story is emblematic of the many unsolved shipwrecks that continue to intrigue historians and divers alike, and her resting place remains one of Lake Michigan‘s enduring maritime enigmas.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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