Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: BROOKLYN
- Type: Wooden Propeller Vessel
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder: Unknown
- Dimensions: Length: 136.6 ft (41.6 m); Beam: 25.1 ft (7.6 m); Depth of hold: 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross: 466.38 tons
- Location: Detroit River near Fighting Island, Michigan
- Official Number: 2151
- Original Owners: Northern Transportation Co.
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The BROOKLYN was a wooden propeller-driven steamship built for passenger and package freight transport. Equipped with a high-pressure engine manufactured by Cuyahoga Iron Works, the vessel was capable of speeds between 13–15 mph, making it one of the fastest boats of its time. It was owned by the Northern Transportation Co. and was used to transport both passengers and a variety of goods, including leather and marble.
Description
Built in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1866, the BROOKLYN quickly became a valuable asset for the Northern Transportation Co., serving as a fast and reliable vessel for passenger and freight transport on the Great Lakes. The ship’s high-pressure engine, along with its sleek design, made it a formidable competitor in the bustling maritime trade of the region.
History
On October 22, 1874, the BROOKLYN was racing the steamer EMPIRE on the Detroit River near Fighting Island, Michigan, when disaster struck. The ship’s boiler exploded violently, blowing off the aft section of the vessel. The BROOKLYN sank quickly, resulting in the tragic loss of 22 lives. Reports on the exact casualty numbers vary, with estimates ranging from 13 to 22 deaths.
An investigation revealed that the second engineer had allowed the water level in the boiler to drop dangerously low as the vessel attempted to overtake the steamer CUBA. The increased steam pressure caused by the race led to catastrophic failure, resulting in one of the deadliest maritime accidents on the Detroit River.
Significant Incidents
• On October 22, 1874, the BROOKLYN’s boiler exploded during a race, leading to the vessel’s sinking and the loss of 22 lives.
• The wreck was raised in November 1874 but sank again shortly afterward during salvage attempts.
Final Disposition
The BROOKLYN was heavily damaged by the explosion and was not restored to service. It was raised and sank again during salvage attempts, and no further recovery efforts were successful. The wreck remains in the Detroit River near Fighting Island, its precise location and condition largely undocumented.
• Current Status: The wreck is not listed as a navigational hazard, and no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) pertain to the site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the BROOKLYN likely remains scattered and degraded due to the explosion and subsequent salvage attempts. The vessel’s current condition and accessibility for diving or exploration are unknown.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”brooklyn-us-2151″ title=”References & Links”]
The BROOKLYN stands as a tragic reminder of the dangers of early steamship racing and the catastrophic consequences of pushing engineering limits. From its construction in 1866 to its destruction in 1874, the vessel served as a testament to the rapid advancements in maritime technology and the risks inherent in the competitive spirit of Great Lakes shipping. Its loss marked a turning point in safety awareness for steam-powered vessels in the region.
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 & Site Information
- Name: BROOKLYN
- Type: Wooden Propeller Vessel
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder: Unknown
- Construction Location: Cleveland, Ohio
- Official Number: 2151
- Dimensions:
- Length: 136.6 feet (41.6 m)
- Beam: 25.1 feet (7.6 m)
- Depth: 12 feet (3.7 m)
- Tonnage: Gross: 466.38 tons
- Final Location: Detroit River near Fighting Island, Michigan
- Date of Loss: October 22, 1874
Vessel Type Description
The BROOKLYN was a wooden propeller-driven steamship built for passenger and package freight transport. Equipped with a high-pressure engine manufactured by Cuyahoga Iron Works, the vessel was capable of speeds between 13–15 mph, making it one of the fastest boats of its time. It was owned by the Northern Transportation Co. and was used to transport both passengers and a variety of goods, including leather and marble.
History
Built in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1866, the BROOKLYN quickly became a valuable asset for the Northern Transportation Co., serving as a fast and reliable vessel for passenger and freight transport on the Great Lakes. The ship’s high-pressure engine, along with its sleek design, made it a formidable competitor in the bustling maritime trade of the region.
Incident Overview
On October 22, 1874, the BROOKLYN was racing the steamer EMPIRE on the Detroit River near Fighting Island, Michigan, when disaster struck. The ship’s boiler exploded violently, blowing off the aft section of the vessel. The BROOKLYN sank quickly, resulting in the tragic loss of 22 lives. Reports on the exact casualty numbers vary, with estimates ranging from 13 to 22 deaths.
Cause of Explosion
An investigation revealed that the second engineer had allowed the water level in the boiler to drop dangerously low as the vessel attempted to overtake the steamer CUBA. The increased steam pressure caused by the race led to catastrophic failure, resulting in one of the deadliest maritime accidents on the Detroit River.
Salvage Efforts
In November 1874, the BROOKLYN was raised, but it sank again shortly afterward. Salvagers noted that the ship’s engine had been blown clear of the hull, and the aft section of the ship had been destroyed. Despite multiple attempts to recover its machinery and cargo, much of the vessel remained unrecovered.
Final Disposition
The BROOKLYN was heavily damaged by the explosion and was not restored to service. It was raised and sank again during salvage attempts, and no further recovery efforts were successful. The wreck remains in the Detroit River near Fighting Island, its precise location and condition largely undocumented.
NOTMARs & Advisories
• Current Status: The wreck is not listed as a navigational hazard, and no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) pertain to the site.
Located By & Date
The wreck site was identified shortly after the explosion, but its precise modern location is unclear.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the BROOKLYN likely remains scattered and degraded due to the explosion and subsequent salvage attempts. The vessel’s current condition and accessibility for diving or exploration are unknown.
Resources & Links
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• The New York Times (historic articles on the disaster)
Conclusion
The BROOKLYN stands as a tragic reminder of the dangers of early steamship racing and the catastrophic consequences of pushing engineering limits. From its construction in 1866 to its destruction in 1874, the vessel served as a testament to the rapid advancements in maritime technology and the risks inherent in the competitive spirit of Great Lakes shipping. Its loss marked a turning point in safety awareness for steam-powered vessels in the region.
Keywords
BROOKLYN, wooden propeller vessel, Detroit River, boiler explosion, Fighting Island, Great Lakes maritime history, 19th-century shipwreck, steamship racing disaster, Northern Transportation Co.
BROOKLYN was a wooden propeller vessel built in 1866 in Cleveland, Ohio. It had an official number of 2151 and was owned by the Northern Transportation Co. The ship had a length of 136.6 feet, a beam of 25.1 feet, and a depth of 12 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 466.38. brooklyn-us-2151 1874-10-22 07:48:00