Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Conger Coal (formerly A. Weston)
- Type: Wooden-hulled propeller steamer
- Year Built: 1882
- Builder: Mount Clemens Ship Works, Mount Clemens MI
- Dimensions: Length 164 ft (50 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Unknown
- Depth at Wreck Site: 7 m / 20 ft
- Location: Sodus Bay, New York
- Coordinates: 43° 20.242′ N 76° 42.192′ W
- Official Number: C 126268
- Original Owners: Conger Coal Company of Toronto (from 1909)
- Number of Masts: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled propeller steamer designed for bulk cargo transport across the Great Lakes.
Description
Description
Originally launched as the A. Weston in 1882, this wooden-hulled, steam-powered propeller carried bulk cargo throughout the Great Lakes. The vessel featured a single-screw propulsion system powered by a 26 × 32-inch steam engine and 9 × 16-foot boiler — a typical layout for mid-sized freighters of the era. She was renamed Conger Coal in 1909 when sold to the Conger Coal Company of Toronto for coal transport between U.S. and Canadian ports.
History
History
The A. Weston operated for decades in Great Lakes commerce hauling coal, lumber, and bulk freight between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario ports. In May 1917, while moored in Little Sodus Bay alongside the Lloyd S. Porter, a catastrophic fire broke out aboard both vessels. Though rumors of wartime sabotage circulated, no evidence was found. Severely damaged, the Conger Coal was later towed into Sodus Bay and deliberately scuttled.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- May 11, 1917: Fire destroyed the Conger Coal and Lloyd S. Porter at Little Sodus Bay. While rumors of German sabotage spread, none were ever substantiated.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
After the 1917 fire, the charred remains of the Lloyd S. Porter and Conger Coal were partially removed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1956 to clear navigational hazards. However, the A. Weston hull section was left on the bottom of Sodus Bay, where the wreck now rests in 20 ft of water.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
- Depth: ~20 ft (6–7 m) — ideal for entry-level divers.
- Structure: Collapsed wooden hull with visible frames, shaft, and machinery.
- Bottom: Soft silt and fine sand; moderate vegetation in summer.
- Access: Boat or shore entry via Sodus Bay marina or launch ramp.
- Visibility: 10–20 ft (3–6 m) depending on season.
- Temperature: Mid-40s °F (7–8 °C) spring; warmer in summer thermocline.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”conger-coal-c-126268-a-weston” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
Closing Summary
The Conger Coal represents a transitional period in Great Lakes commerce — a wooden steam propeller still active as steel freighters were taking over. Her long service life (1882–1917) illustrates the economic reliance on smaller coal carriers and the hazards they faced in wartime ports. Remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories when visiting this historic wreck.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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