Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Bulgaria
- Type: Wooden bulk freighter
- Year Built: 1887
- Builder: Not specified
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Registered Tonnage: Not specified
- Location: Fisherman Shoal, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: Not documented
- Original Owners: Corrigan Transit Co., Cleveland, Ohio
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Bulgaria was a wooden bulk freighter, a vessel type commonly used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for transporting bulk commodities such as coal, iron ore, and grain across the Great Lakes. These ships were integral to the industrial supply chain, facilitating the movement of raw materials to manufacturing centers.
Description
Built in 1887, specific details regarding the Bulgaria‘s dimensions and tonnage are not documented. However, as a wooden bulk freighter, she would have been designed with large cargo holds to maximize the volume of bulk goods transported. Her construction would have featured robust wooden framing and planking to withstand the rigors of Great Lakes navigation.
History
The Bulgaria served in the Corrigan Transit Co. fleet, a Cleveland-based company involved in the transportation of bulk commodities on the Great Lakes. On June 4, 1906, while en route to Green Bay, Wisconsin, with a cargo of coal, the Bulgaria stranded on Fisherman Shoal in Lake Michigan. The vessel was abandoned to underwriters as a constructive total loss. However, she was later raised, repaired, and returned to service. In 1907, she was sold to the Bulgaria Transportation Co. of Chicago, Illinois, managed by Prindiville & Sons. By 1911, ownership had transferred to J. E. Osterloh of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Significant Incidents
- Stranded on Fisherman Shoal, Lake Michigan, on June 4, 1906.
- Abandoned to underwriters as a constructive total loss.
- Raised, repaired, and returned to service after the stranding incident.
Final Disposition
After the stranding incident in 1906, the Bulgaria was successfully salvaged and repaired. She continued to operate under new ownership until at least 1911. Details regarding her ultimate fate beyond this point are not documented in the available sources.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There is no documented discovery of the Bulgaria‘s wreck site in modern times. The exact location remains unconfirmed, and the wreck has not been located or surveyed by contemporary maritime archaeologists.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”bulgaria-1887″ title=”References & Links”]
The Bulgaria‘s history reflects the challenges and resilience of Great Lakes maritime operations in the early 20th century. Despite a significant stranding incident, the vessel was salvaged and returned to service, exemplifying the economic importance of such ships to the industrial activities of the region. While her ultimate fate remains undocumented, the Bulgaria‘s story contributes to the broader narrative of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Bulgaria
- Official Number: Not documented
- Date Built and Launched: 1887
- Builder: Not specified
- Type: Wooden bulk freighter
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Tonnage: Not specified
- Date Lost: June 4, 1906
- Location of Loss: Fisherman Shoal, Lake Michigan
- Cause of Loss: Stranded
- Cargo: Coal
- Loss of Life: None reported
- Owner at Time of Loss: Corrigan Transit Co., Cleveland, Ohio(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Millburn Public Library, Great Lakes Vessel History)
Vessel Type
The Bulgaria was a wooden bulk freighter, a vessel type commonly used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for transporting bulk commodities such as coal, iron ore, and grain across the Great Lakes. These ships were integral to the industrial supply chain, facilitating the movement of raw materials to manufacturing centers.
Description
Built in 1887, specific details regarding the Bulgaria‘s dimensions and tonnage are not documented. However, as a wooden bulk freighter, she would have been designed with large cargo holds to maximize the volume of bulk goods transported. Her construction would have featured robust wooden framing and planking to withstand the rigors of Great Lakes navigation.
History
The Bulgaria served in the Corrigan Transit Co. fleet, a Cleveland-based company involved in the transportation of bulk commodities on the Great Lakes. On June 4, 1906, while en route to Green Bay, Wisconsin, with a cargo of coal, the Bulgaria stranded on Fisherman Shoal in Lake Michigan. The vessel was abandoned to underwriters as a constructive total loss. However, she was later raised, repaired, and returned to service. In 1907, she was sold to the Bulgaria Transportation Co. of Chicago, Illinois, managed by Prindiville & Sons. By 1911, ownership had transferred to J. E. Osterloh of Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Great Lakes Vessel History)
Final Disposition
After the stranding incident in 1906, the Bulgaria was successfully salvaged and repaired. She continued to operate under new ownership until at least 1911. Details regarding her ultimate fate beyond this point are not documented in the available sources.
Located By & Date Found
There is no documented discovery of the Bulgaria‘s wreck site in modern times. The exact location remains unconfirmed, and the wreck has not been located or surveyed by contemporary maritime archaeologists.
Notmars & Advisories
There are no current navigational warnings or advisories related to the Bulgaria‘s wreck site. Given the passage of time and lack of precise location data, the site does not pose a known hazard to navigation.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Vessel History: Bulgaria(Great Lakes Vessel History)
Conclusion
The Bulgaria‘s history reflects the challenges and resilience of Great Lakes maritime operations in the early 20th century. Despite a significant stranding incident, the vessel was salvaged and returned to service, exemplifying the economic importance of such ships to the industrial activities of the region. While her ultimate fate remains undocumented, the Bulgaria‘s story contributes to the broader narrative of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes.
Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms
- Keywords: Bulgaria, bulk freighter, Lake Michigan, shipwreck, Corrigan Transit Co., coal transport
- Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Bulk Freighters
- Glossary Terms:
- Bulk Freighter: A vessel designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo, such as coal, ore, or grain.
- Constructive Total Loss: A situation where the cost of repairing a damaged vessel exceeds its value, leading to it being declared a total loss for insurance purposes.
- Stranding: An incident where a vessel runs aground or is beached, often leading to damage or loss.