Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: ATLANTIS (formerly DESPATCH)
- Type: Wooden Oil Screw Salvage Tug
- Year Built: 1916
- Builder: F. F. Paasch
- Dimensions: Length 47 ft (14.3 m); Beam 14.58 ft (4.4 m); Depth of hold 4.25 ft (1.3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 16 tons (later adjusted to 15 tons)
- Location: Off the coast of Erieau, Ontario
- Original Owners: Luther & Collins Commercial Divers
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The ATLANTIS, originally launched as DESPATCH, was a compact yet robust wooden oil screw tug. Its original role as a fish tug exemplified its utility and resilience, catering to the regional fishing industry on Lake Erie. Transitioning to salvage work in the 1950s, the vessel adapted to the demanding requirements of Great Lakes commercial diving operations under its new name.
Description
The vessel was constructed in 1916 by F. F. Paasch in Erie, Pennsylvania. As DESPATCH, it served primarily as a fish tug, operating out of regional ports to support the bustling fishing trade on Lake Erie. Records indicate that it underwent a tonnage adjustment in 1919, reflecting a modest design change or updated measurements.
In 1953, the vessel was acquired by Luther & Collins Commercial Divers, a Cleveland-based company specializing in underwater salvage. Renamed ATLANTIS, the tug played a key role in salvage operations, aiding in the recovery of cargo and wrecks from the depths of the Great Lakes.
History
On November 21, 1958, the ATLANTIS met its demise during a storm off the coast of Erieau, Ontario. Specific details about the incident, including the crew’s fate and the cargo (if any), remain undocumented. The vessel was lost to Lake Erie’s turbulent waters, with no reported efforts to locate or recover the wreck.
Significant Incidents
- The vessel was declared lost after succumbing to severe weather during a storm in 1958.
Final Disposition
The ATLANTIS was declared lost after succumbing to severe weather during a storm in 1958. Its final resting place remains unknown, buried somewhere beneath the waters off Erieau, Ontario.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The ATLANTIS likely rests in an advanced state of deterioration due to its wooden construction and decades underwater. Without precise coordinates or documentation, accessibility remains a challenge, and the wreck remains a mystery to divers and researchers.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”atlantis-despatch” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
Given the unknown location and condition of the wreck, diving opportunities are limited. Explorers interested in searching for the ATLANTIS should collaborate with local maritime historians and consider advanced sonar technology to enhance discovery efforts. The stormy conditions and uncertain depth also warrant caution.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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