Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Conemaugh
- Type: Package Freight Propeller
- Year Built: 1880
- Builder: Wyandotte, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 251 ft (76.5 m); Beam: 36 ft (11 m); Depth of hold: 15.3 ft (4.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross: 1,609 tons; Net: 1,453 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 6 m / 20 ft
- Location: Point Pelee, Ontario
- Coordinates: 41° 54.570′ N, 82° 30.655′ W
- Official Number: US 125858
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Conemaugh was a package freight propeller, a type of steam-powered vessel designed for transporting general cargo and manufactured goods across the Great Lakes. Built in 1880, it featured a robust construction with ample cargo capacity. Propeller-driven steamers like the Conemaugh were a cornerstone of Great Lakes shipping, connecting regional ports and supporting trade in raw materials and finished products.
Description
The Conemaugh was constructed in Wyandotte, Michigan, in 1880. Initially registered in Port Huron, Michigan, it was a reliable workhorse for the growing shipping trade on the Great Lakes. The vessel transported a variety of goods, catering to the region’s expanding industries and communities.
History
Notable Incidents:
The Conemaugh experienced a turbulent service life, marked by various mishaps:
- 1881: Sank in the Straits of Mackinac, Michigan.
- Multiple Collisions & Groundings: The vessel underwent repairs and modifications throughout its career to remain operational despite frequent incidents.
Final Voyage & Loss (1906):
On November 21, 1906, the Conemaugh was navigating Lake Erie when it stranded on Point Pelee, Ontario, during poor weather conditions. The vessel sustained catastrophic damage, breaking into two pieces, and was declared a total loss. Fortunately, all 21 individuals on board survived.
Significant Incidents
Efforts to salvage the wreck began with the dispatch of the tug Frank W. from Cleveland to retrieve eight cars of dry goods from the stranded vessel. However, rough seas forced the operation to be abandoned temporarily. Further salvage attempts were planned but were hindered by deteriorating conditions.
Final Disposition
The Conemaugh remains at its stranding site near Point Pelee, Ontario, where it was declared a total loss. The wreckage likely lies fragmented in 20 feet of water (6 meters), partially buried in the lakebed due to the vessel’s breakup during the stranding.
Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories:
There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) regarding the Conemaugh wreck. Its shallow resting depth and proximity to Point Pelee may present hazards to navigation. Mariners are advised to maintain vigilance when traversing the area.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The shallow depth of the wreck, combined with its age and exposure to Lake Erie’s currents and sedimentation, suggests that the Conemaugh is heavily deteriorated. The site may be accessible to divers, though visibility and structural integrity are likely poor. Artifacts from the vessel may still be present at the location.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”conemaugh-us-125858″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The loss of the Conemaugh highlights the hazards of navigating Lake Erie, particularly around areas like Point Pelee, where shallow waters and strong weather patterns pose significant risks. The vessel’s survival of its crew underscores the importance of effective rescue efforts. Though the Conemaugh has faded into history, its story remains a compelling chapter in the annals of Great Lakes maritime heritage.
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
- Vessel Name: Conemaugh
- Type: Package Freight Propeller
- Built: August 1880, Wyandotte, Michigan
- Dimensions:
- Length: 251 feet (76.5 meters)
- Beam (Width): 36 feet (11 meters)
- Depth: 15.3 feet (4.7 meters)
- Tonnage:
- Gross: 1,609 tons
- Net: 1,453 tons
- Propulsion: Nominal horsepower of 1,000
- Final Voyage Date: November 21, 1906
- Final Disposition: Stranded on Point Pelee, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: 41° 54.570′ N, 82° 30.655′ W
- Depth: 20 feet (6 meters)
- Crew: 21 individuals, no casualties
Vessel Type Description
The Conemaugh was a package freight propeller, a type of steam-powered vessel designed for transporting general cargo and manufactured goods across the Great Lakes. Built in 1880, it featured a robust construction with ample cargo capacity. Propeller-driven steamers like the Conemaugh were a cornerstone of Great Lakes shipping, connecting regional ports and supporting trade in raw materials and finished products.
History
Construction & Early Service:
The Conemaugh was constructed in Wyandotte, Michigan, in 1880. Initially registered in Port Huron, Michigan, it was a reliable workhorse for the growing shipping trade on the Great Lakes. The vessel transported a variety of goods, catering to the region’s expanding industries and communities.
Notable Incidents:
The Conemaugh experienced a turbulent service life, marked by various mishaps:
- 1881: Sank in the Straits of Mackinac, Michigan.
- Multiple Collisions & Groundings: The vessel underwent repairs and modifications throughout its career to remain operational despite frequent incidents.
Final Voyage & Loss (1906):
On November 21, 1906, the Conemaugh was navigating Lake Erie when it stranded on Point Pelee, Ontario, during poor weather conditions. The vessel sustained catastrophic damage, breaking into two pieces, and was declared a total loss. Fortunately, all 21 individuals on board survived.
Efforts to salvage the wreck began with the dispatch of the tug Frank W. from Cleveland to retrieve eight cars of dry goods from the stranded vessel. However, rough seas forced the operation to be abandoned temporarily. Further salvage attempts were planned but were hindered by deteriorating conditions.
Final Disposition
The Conemaugh remains at its stranding site near Point Pelee, Ontario, where it was declared a total loss. The wreckage likely lies fragmented in 20 feet of water (6 meters), partially buried in the lakebed due to the vessel’s breakup during the stranding.
Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories
There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) regarding the Conemaugh wreck. Its shallow resting depth and proximity to Point Pelee may present hazards to navigation. Mariners are advised to maintain vigilance when traversing the area.
Located By & Date
The wreck was documented shortly after the stranding in 1906. Its precise condition remains unknown, and it has not been subject to significant modern exploration.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The shallow depth of the wreck, combined with its age and exposure to Lake Erie’s currents and sedimentation, suggests that the Conemaugh is heavily deteriorated. The site may be accessible to divers, though visibility and structural integrity are likely poor. Artifacts from the vessel may still be present at the location.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The loss of the Conemaugh highlights the hazards of navigating Lake Erie, particularly around areas like Point Pelee, where shallow waters and strong weather patterns pose significant risks. The vessel’s survival of its crew underscores the importance of effective rescue efforts. Though the Conemaugh has faded into history, its story remains a compelling chapter in the annals of Great Lakes maritime heritage.
Keywords #Conemaugh #GreatLakesShipwreck #LakeErieWreck #PackageFreightPropeller #PointPelee #MaritimeHistory #ShipwreckResilience #StormWreck
On November 21, 1906, the steamer Conemaugh encountered a tragic fate when it stranded on Point Pelee, Ontario, in Lake Erie. The vessel, which was built in August 1880 as a package freight propeller, suffered significant damage in the incident. Reports indicate that the Conemaugh broke in two and was deemed a total loss. However, there were no reported casualties among the 21 individuals on board. conemaugh-us-125858 1906-11-21 07:48:00