Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Avon
- Type: Wooden Propeller, Package Freight Steamer
- Year Built: 1877
- Builder: Union Dry Dock Co., Buffalo, New York
- Dimensions: Length 251 ft (76.5 m); Beam 35 ft (10.7 m); Depth of hold 15 ft (4.6 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 1,702 tons; Net Tonnage: 1,539 tons
- Location: Near Pointe Aux Pins, Ontario
- Official Number: 105733
- Original Owners: Union Transit Company
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Avon was a wooden-hulled propeller steamer, designed for package freight transport, a term referring to ships that carried varied cargoes such as flour, general merchandise, and other packaged goods. Built in 1877 by the Union Dry Dock Company in Buffalo, New York, the Avon measured 251 feet in length, making her one of the larger wooden freighters operating on the Great Lakes at the time.
Description
The vessel’s single-screw propulsion system was powered by a steam engine, optimized for long-distance shipping routes across the lakes. The Avon was part of the Union Transit Company’s fleet, a major player in the Great Lakes shipping industry, facilitating commerce between Duluth, Buffalo, and various other ports.
History
The Avon had a notable service record, encountering several maritime incidents over her career but consistently being repaired and returned to service.
Significant Incidents
- 1879: Struck bottom at Lime-Kiln Crossing in the Detroit River during a period of low water. The incident caused over $40,000 in damage to the vessel and her cargo.
- 1883: Stranded near Buffalo, New York, suffering heavy damage but was recovered and repaired.
- The Avon was regularly engaged in the Duluth-to-Buffalo trade route, transporting flour and general goods, vital to the economic infrastructure of the Great Lakes.
Final Disposition
While the Avon was recovered and rebuilt after the 1901 fire, there are no subsequent records of her final fate after returning to service. It’s likely that the vessel continued operations until retirement or scrapping in the early 20th century, as steel-hulled vessels began to dominate the Great Lakes shipping industry.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Since the Avon was recovered and rebuilt after her 1901 incident, there is no known wreck site associated with this vessel.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”avon-us-105733″ title=”References & Links”]
The Avon‘s service history reflects both the dangers and resilience of Great Lakes shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Built in 1877, the vessel faced multiple maritime disasters, including groundings, stranding incidents, and a catastrophic fire in 1901. Despite being declared a total loss after the fire near Pointe Aux Pins, the Avon was recovered and rebuilt, underscoring the value placed on large wooden freighters during this era. The Avon‘s legacy is a testament to the challenges of navigating Lake Superior and the importance of maritime commerce in the Great Lakes region.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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