Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Conger Coal C 126268 (A. Weston)

Explore the wreck of the Conger Coal, a wooden-hulled steamer scuttled after a fire in 1917, resting in 20 ft of water in Sodus Bay, New York.

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.

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

Vessel Name: Conger Coal (formerly A. Weston) Type: Wooden-hulled propeller steamer Builder: Mount Clemens Ship Works, Mount Clemens MI Year Built: 1882 Dimensions: Length 164 ft (50 m) Tonnage: Unknown (record not retained) Propulsion: Single-screw, 26 × 32 in steam engine with 9 × 16 ft boiler Cargo on Final Voyage: Coal Date of Loss: Early 20th Century (scuttled after 1917 fire) Location: Sodus Bay, New York — Lake Ontario Coordinates: 43° 20.242′ N 76° 42.192′ W Depth: 20 ft (7 m) Home Port: Toronto, Ontario (under Conger Coal Co.) Owners: Conger Coal Company of Toronto (from 1909) Casualties: None recorded

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

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.

Final Dispositions

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.

Wreck Condition & Dive Information

  • 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.

Ecology

The wreck site supports a rich freshwater habitat including bass, perch, and sunfish. Algae and moss cover timbers seasonally, creating a natural reef within the bay.

Historical Significance

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.

Documented Statements & Extracts

“On 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.” — New York Times, May 12, 1917

Resources & Links

References

  1. Great Lakes Registry Files — A. Weston / Conger Coal, Mount Clemens MI, 1882–1917.
  2. “Little Sodus Bay Fire Destroys Two Steamers.” New York Times, May 1917.
  3. Shotline Diving Survey Notes, 2025.

NOAA Shipwreck Record Card

Wreck Name: Conger Coal (formerly A. Weston) Coordinates: 43° 20.242′ N 76° 42.192′ W Depth: 20 ft (7 m) Location Description: Sodus Bay near outer harbor mouth, Lake Ontario Vessel Type: Wooden propeller steamer Material: Wood / iron fastenings Dimensions: 164 ft length (50 m) Condition: Collapsed but recognizable frames and engine remains Cause of Loss: Fire / intentional scuttling post-1917 incident Discovery Date: Documented 2025 (known historically since early 1900s) Discovered By: Shotline Diving / local divers Method: Visual observation & ROV video survey Legal Notes: Historic wreck site under state jurisdiction Hazards: Shallow water, timber snags, metal debris Permits Required: No artifact recovery allowed without authorization
The steamers Conger Coal and Lloyd S. Porter were destroyed by a mysterious fire at Little Sodus Bay near Fair Haven on Lake Ontario on May 11, 1917. The fire also caused significant damage to the Lehigh Valley Railroad trestle. Both vessels were involved in the Lake Ontario coal trade and were awaiting loading when the fire broke out. conger-coal-c-126268-a-weston 1917-05-11 07:48:00