Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Canobie (Iron King) C 133826

Explore the history of the Canobie, a wooden bulk freighter that met its fate in Lake Erie after a fierce storm in 1921.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Canobie (Iron King)
  • Type: Wooden Propeller Bulk Freighter
  • Year Built: 1887
  • Builder: Detroit Dry Dock Company
  • Dimensions: Length: 252 ft (76.8 m); Beam: 38 ft (11.6 m); Depth of hold: 20 ft (6.1 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 1,703 tons
  • Location: Erie, Pennsylvania
  • Official Number: C 133826
  • Original Owners: Lehigh Coal Company

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Names:

  • Original: Iron King
  • Later Name: Canobie
  • Type: Wooden Propeller Bulk Freighter
  • Dimensions: Length: 252 feet (76.8 meters); Beam: 38 feet (11.6 meters); Depth: 20 feet (6.1 meters)
  • Tonnage: Gross: 1,703 tons
  • Engine Specifications:
  • Type: For-and-aft compound engine with two cylinders
  • Horsepower: 800
  • Boilers: Two 105-pound steam firebox boilers
  • Construction: Built in 1887 by the Detroit Dry Dock Company, Detroit, Michigan
  • Material: Wooden
  • Final Resting Place: Sank in Erie, Pennsylvania, Lake Erie after severe storm damage in 1921
  • Condition: Deemed a constructive total loss and later burned
  • Accessibility: The remnants were stripped of usable items before being burned; the exact location of the wreck is no longer of significance as the vessel was destroyed.

Description

The vessel originally named Iron King was a wooden propeller bulk freighter built in 1887 by the Detroit Dry Dock Company in Detroit, Michigan. With impressive dimensions of 252 feet in length, 38 feet in width, and 20 feet in depth, the Iron King was a significant player in the Great Lakes maritime trade. It was powered by a robust 800-horsepower for-and-aft compound engine, which drove a single propeller, and it was equipped with two steam firebox boilers.

The Iron King was primarily involved in the iron ore and coal trade, traversing the vast waters of the Great Lakes to transport these essential commodities. Throughout its early years, the vessel faced various challenges, including grounding incidents and fires, but it continued to serve as a reliable bulk freighter.

History

The Iron King faced notable incidents during its service, including a grounding in 1889 near Bois Blanc Island in Lake Huron, which was resolved with the help of tugboats. Another significant event occurred in Ashland, Wisconsin, where a fire at the Coal Dock resulted in the deaths of three firemen and considerable damage to the vessel. After repairs, the Iron King resumed operations, demonstrating its resilience.

In 1913, the Iron King was sold and renamed Canobie under the ownership of the Lehigh Coal Company, continuing its role as a bulk freighter.

Significant Incidents

Significant incidents in the Canobie’s history include:

  • 1889: Grounding near Bois Blanc Island, Lake Huron, successfully freed with tugboat assistance.
  • Fire at Ashland, Wisconsin, resulting in three fatalities and damage to the vessel.
  • November 1, 1921: Encountered a fierce storm on Lake Erie, leading to severe damage and eventual sinking in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Final Disposition

After the storm in 1921, the Canobie was deemed a constructive total loss. The vessel was stripped of usable items and subsequently burned, marking the end of its service.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The remnants of the Canobie were stripped of usable items before being burned, and the exact location of the wreck is no longer significant as the vessel was destroyed.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The journey of the Canobie, from its origins as the Iron King to its final demise, reflects the challenges faced by ships on the Great Lakes. Its history of overcoming adversity and the circumstances of its loss serve as a reminder of the dangers inherent in maritime trade.