Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Cedarville (originally A.F. Harvey)
- Type: Steel-hulled bulk freighter
- Year Built: 1927
- Builder: Great Lakes Engineering Works, River Rouge, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length 580 ft (176.8 m); Beam 60 ft (18.3 m); Depth 32 ft (9.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 8,685 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 36.6 m / 120 ft
- Location: Lake Huron, ~3 miles east of Mackinac Bridge
- Coordinates: 45°47'17"N, 84°39'29"W
- Official Number: US 226744
- Original Owners: Pittsburgh Steamship Co. (1927–1957); Bradley Transportation Division, U.S. Steel (1957–1965)
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Cedarville was a steel bulk freighter, originally launched as the A.F. Harvey. After a significant rebuild in 1957, she became a self-unloader, enhancing her operational capabilities.
Description
The Cedarville was launched in 1927 as the A.F. Harvey for the Pittsburgh Steamship Company (U.S. Steel). With a length of 580 ft and a gross tonnage of nearly 8,700, she was designed for heavy bulk cargo service on the Great Lakes. Following her 1957 conversion at DeFoe Shipbuilding in Bay City, Michigan, she was renamed Cedarville, allowing her to discharge cargo without the need for dockside equipment, thus increasing her efficiency as a carrier for the Bradley Transportation fleet.
History
Initially serving U.S. Steel’s Pittsburgh Steamship fleet, the A.F. Harvey transported ore, coal, and stone across the Great Lakes. After her conversion in 1957, she became part of the Bradley Transportation Division, primarily transporting limestone from Calcite, near Rogers City, Michigan, to steel mills throughout the Great Lakes.
Significant Incidents
On 7 May 1965, the Cedarville departed Calcite loaded with limestone bound for Gary, Indiana. Heavy fog enveloped the Straits of Mackinac, severely limiting visibility. Despite these conditions, the vessel maintained speed and collided with the Norwegian freighter Topdalsfjord approximately 3 miles east of the Mackinac Bridge at around 9:50 a.m. The collision resulted in a significant breach on her port side, leading to her sinking within 40 minutes. The German freighter Weissenburg was instrumental in rescuing the majority of the survivors.
Final Disposition
The Cedarville capsized and sank in approximately 120 ft (36.6 m) of water, resulting in the loss of ten crew members, while 25 survived. The wreck lies on its starboard side, with the bow partially separated. The U.S. Coast Guard investigated the incident, attributing fault to the vessel’s master for navigating at excessive speed in dense fog. Today, the site is recognized as one of the premier deep wreck dives within the Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Cedarville is well-documented through diver photography, videography, and sonar surveys. It remains largely intact and is protected within the Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve. Divers are encouraged to follow local regulations and practice no-touch documentation methods to preserve the site.
Resources & Links
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As a diver, you can explore the Cedarville while adhering to the principle of ‘leave only bubbles, take only memories.’ Remember to respect the site and its history, ensuring that it remains a valuable resource for future generations.
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