Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Bayton
- Type: Steel bulk freighter
- Year Built: 1904
- Builder: American Shipbuilding Co., Cleveland, OH
- Dimensions: 415 ft × 50 ft × 28 ft
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Burns Harbor, Indiana
- Official Number: 141675
- Original Owners: Mathews Steamship Co., Colonial Steamship Co., Scott Misener Steamship Co.
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Steel bulk freighter — mid-size Great Lakes bulk carrier.
Description
Description
The Bayton, originally named Francis Widlar, was a mid-size steel bulk freighter built in 1904. It served various owners throughout its operational life, primarily transporting bulk commodities across the Great Lakes.
History
History
Operated as Francis Widlar from 1904 to 1921 under U.S. registry. Renamed Bayton in 1921, it was owned by Mathews Steamship Co. until 1933, after which it was operated by Colonial Steamship Co. and later by Scott Misener Steamship Co. until 1966.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Scuttled in September 1966 at Burns Harbor, Indiana, to serve as part of a rock-free breakwater during harbor construction.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The Bayton was deliberately scuttled, with its hull stripped and prepared for sinking. It was permanently embedded as structural support in the harbor breakwater.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is not accessible for diving as it is embedded in the breakwater structure at Burns Harbor.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”bayton-francis-widlar-us-141675″ title=”References & Links”]
Closing Summary
The Bayton’s long service life and eventual repurposing as a breakwater highlight its historical significance and the innovative approaches to vessel disposal in maritime infrastructure.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Identification & Specifications
- Name: Bayton (renamed from Francis Widlar in 1921)
- Official Number: 141675
- Year Built: 1904
- Shipyard: American Shipbuilding Co., Cleveland, OH
- Type: Steel bulk freighter — mid-size Great Lakes bulk carrier
- Dimensions: 415 ft × 50 ft × 28 ft
- Engine: Triple-expansion steam engine (22″–35″–58″ × 40″) built by the yard
Ownership & Service Archive
- 1904–1921: Operated as Francis Widlar under U.S. registry
- 1921–1933: Owned by Mathews Steamship Co., Toronto — renamed Bayton
- 1933–1959: Operated by Colonial Steamship Co. (Scott Misener) out of Port Colborne
- 1959–1966: Under Scott Misener Steamship Co., same homeport
Hardworking across four decades, her primary role was hauling bulk commodities on the Great Lakes.
Final Disposition: Scuttled as Breakwater
In September 1966, the Bayton was deliberately scuttled at Burns Harbor, Indiana to serve as part of a rock-free breakwater during harbor construction (shiphotos.com, Internet Archive, greatlakesvesselhistory.com, Facebook).
- Disposition: Hull stripped and prepared for sinking
- Post-scuttle use: Permanently embedded as structural support in harbor breakwater
Sources & Further Context
- ShipPhotos Archive: Confirms wreck details — “Scuttled in Burns Harbor, Indiana in September, 1966, in a breakwater” (shiphotos.com)
- Seaway Ship Watchers Network: Notes hull use in harbor construction (Facebook)
Historical Significance
- Long-lived steel freighter spanning from early 20th-century U.S. era through to Canadian ownership.
- Final role as breakwater demonstrates a resourceful approach to vessel disposal, repurposing her hull for maritime infrastructure.
Next Research Opportunities
- Archival: Search Mathews and Misener company records for sale, transfer documents, and scuttling permits (early 1966).
- Naval Architecture: Investigate engineering assessments on her structural integrity leading to breakwater use.
- Field Survey: Burns Harbor breakwater area may still house structural remnants—potential dive or ROV inspection targets.