Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: ATLAS
- Type: Wooden Steam Lighter (Propeller-Driven)
- Year Built: 1903
- Builder: Unknown, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: 116 ft (35.4 m) X 30 ft (9.1 m); Depth of hold: 4 ft (1.2 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 232 tons (Gross), 115 tons (Net)
- Depth at Wreck Site: 1.2 m / 4 ft
- Location: Chicago River, Chicago, Illinois
- Official Number: 200815
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: 1
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The ATLAS was a wooden steam lighter, a type of propeller-driven cargo vessel used for hauling lighter loads, including building materials, coal, and general freight.
Lighters like the ATLAS were designed for:
- Navigating tight rivers and harbors
- Transporting cargo between ships and docks
- Serving as support vessels for larger freight operations
Its shallow draft (only 4 feet deep) made it well-suited for river operations, but also meant it was vulnerable to damage in collisions.
Description
The ATLAS operated for only four years before it was lost in a collision in the Chicago River in 1907.
History
The ATLAS was built in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a steam-powered lighter in 1903. It collided with the Clark Street Bridge abutment in Chicago and sank on June 26, 1907.
Significant Incidents
- 1903: Built in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a steam-powered lighter.
- 1907, June 26: Collided with the Clark Street Bridge abutment in Chicago and sank.
Final Disposition
The ATLAS was lost on June 26, 1907, when it collided with an abutment of the Clark Street Bridge in Chicago and sank in the river.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no confirmed reports of the ATLAS‘s wreck remains being discovered or documented in the Chicago River. Given the urban environment and frequent dredging, it is likely the vessel was salvaged or covered by river debris.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”atlas-us-200815″ title=”References & Links”]
The ATLAS was a small but vital cargo vessel, operating in the Great Lakes and the Chicago River. Its loss in 1907 due to a bridge collision highlights the hazards of navigating urban waterways, where tight spaces and heavy traffic made accidents common.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →