E.K. Roberts (city Of Windsor, Michipicoten – Lake Huron Steamer Shipwreck (1927)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: E.K. Roberts (formerly City of Windsor, later Michipicoten)
• Type: Propeller Steamer (Wooden Hull)
• Year Built: 1883
• Builder: Detroit Dry Dock Co
• Dimensions: Length: 117 ft (35.66 m); Beam: 24.8 ft (7.56 m); Depth of hold: 10.7 ft (3.26 m)
• Registered Tonnage: Gross: 264.90 tons; Net: 189.75 tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 7.6 m / 25 ft
• Location: Cook’s Dock, North Channel, Lake Huron, near Manitoulin Island, Ontario
• Original Owners: Detroit & Duck Island Transportation Co., C.W. Gauthier, Butler & Co., North American Bent Chair Co.

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The E.K. Roberts was a wooden propeller steamer constructed in 1883 by the Detroit Dry Dock Co., a prominent shipyard in Detroit, Michigan. The vessel featured a two-deck design, indicative of its dual-purpose use for passenger and freight transport. Equipped with a For-and-Aft Compound engine and twin boilers, it was a robust ship for its time. This design was particularly well-suited for the Great Lakes, facilitating efficient navigation and versatile cargo handling.

Description

The E.K. Roberts was launched in 1883, initially owned by the Detroit & Duck Island Transportation Co., primarily servicing the fish trade and general freight routes. With its Detroit origins, it played a key role in regional commerce and passenger transport across the Great Lakes.

The vessel underwent multiple ownership changes during its operational lifetime, including notable owners such as C.W. Gauthier, Butler & Co., and later the North American Bent Chair Co.

Technical Features:

• Engine: For-and-Aft Compound engine with two cylinders.
• Boilers: Two units, 5 feet x 10 feet, constructed by H.G. Trout of Buffalo, NY, and Fitzgibbon.

Service & Modifications:

Over the years, the vessel adapted to various roles, including freight transport for building materials and flour, and was renamed multiple times (City of Windsor and Michipicoten). These changes reflect the evolving needs of its owners and the versatility of its construction.

History

The ship’s history was marked by steady service, with no significant mishaps reported until its final voyage.

Significant Incidents

Date of Loss: October 10, 1927

The E.K. Roberts met its end at Cook’s Dock on Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron. Carrying a cargo of flour and building materials, the ship caught fire at the dock. In an attempt to mitigate the damage, it was pushed away from the dock but eventually sank near the opposite shore in shallow water.

The wreck remained listed in ship registries as late as 1930, though it was abandoned and declared a total loss.

Final Disposition

Hazards:

While the wreck lies in relatively shallow water, its location near a dock and shoreline may pose navigational hazards for small watercraft and divers.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the E.K. Roberts rests at a depth of 25 feet (7.6 meters). Although the hull and superstructure are likely deteriorated due to decades of exposure, the site remains a point of interest for maritime historians and divers. The vessel’s shallow location makes it accessible for recreational diving, but its fragmented state may limit the visibility of intact components.

Resources & Links

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The E.K. Roberts embodies the transitional period in Great Lakes maritime operations during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Serving as a passenger and freight vessel, it highlights the diverse demands placed on ships navigating the region. Its ultimate loss due to fire underscores the risks inherent in early steam-powered transportation and the challenges of maintaining aging wooden hulls in the harsh Great Lakes environment. Today, its wreck site stands as a historical marker of an era when ships like the E.K. Roberts were vital lifelines for commerce and travel across the lakes.