Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Aycliffe Hall
- Type: Bulk Freighter
- Year Built: 1928
- Builder: Smith’s Dock Co.
- Dimensions: 253 ft (77 m); Beam: 44 ft; Depth of hold: 18 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 1900
- Location: Lake Erie, off Long Point, Ohio
- Coordinates: Latitude: 42° 22′ 31.5588″ N, Longitude: -80° 21′ 13.86″ W
- Official Number: 147800
- Original Owners: Hall Corporation of Canada
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The AYCLIFFE HALL was a steel bulk freighter designed as a “canaller,” optimized for navigating the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway canals. Built in 1928 by Smith’s Dock Co. in Stockton-On-Tees, UK, it measured 253 feet in length, 44 feet in beam, and 18 feet in depth. The ship’s 750–800 IHP triple-expansion engine, paired with two coal-fired Scotch boilers, powered its screw propulsion system, making it an efficient vessel for transporting bulk cargo like coal and grain.
Notable for its practical and modern design, the freighter featured a sheerless hull, bluff bows, and a counter stern, with six large cargo hatches. Painted in the Hall Corporation’s livery, its black hull and white cabins stood out among the fleet.
Description
The AYCLIFFE HALL joined the Hall Corporation of Canada’s fleet in 1928 as one of its modernized canal-sized steamers. It was the first vessel to carry the “Cliffe Hall” name and was a key player in the company’s bulk cargo operations.
History
The AYCLIFFE HALL was involved in a significant incident on October 11, 1936, when it collided with the steamer EDWARD J. BERWIND under dense fog near Long Point, Lake Erie. The impact caused significant damage, and despite the crew’s efforts to save the vessel, it sank. Fortunately, the crew was rescued by the EDWARD J. BERWIND. The incident highlighted the perils of Great Lakes navigation, particularly under poor visibility.
Significant Incidents
- Collision and Sinking: On October 11, 1936, the AYCLIFFE HALL collided with the EDWARD J. BERWIND, leading to its sinking.
- Salvage Attempts: Initial salvage efforts in 1936 were unsuccessful, leaving the wreck submerged.
- Dynamiting: Discovered by the U.S. Lighthouse tender CROCUS in 1939, the wreck was dynamited by the Canadian government to eliminate potential navigation hazards.
Final Disposition
The AYCLIFFE HALL remains on the bottom of Lake Erie near Long Point, though much of its structure was destroyed by dynamiting. The wreck site is no longer considered a navigational hazard.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the AYCLIFFE HALL, as the site was neutralized in 1939.
Resources & Links
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The AYCLIFFE HALL stands as a testament to the hazards of early 20th-century maritime navigation on the Great Lakes. Its collision and subsequent sinking underscore the challenges faced by bulk freighters operating in congested and often foggy waters. The decision to dynamite the wreck reflects the pragmatic approach to ensuring navigational safety in the region. Today, the story of the AYCLIFFE HALL enriches the historical narrative of Great Lakes shipping, serving as a poignant reminder of both the dangers of maritime commerce and the measures taken to mitigate those risks.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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