Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: E.M. Ford (formerly Presque Isle)
- Type: Bulk self-unloading cement carrier; originally an ore-and-coal steamer
- Year Built: 1898
- Builder: Cleveland Shipbuilding Co., Lorain, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length 428 ft (130.4 m); Beam 50 ft (15.2 m); Depth of hold variable
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Slip 1, Milwaukee Outer Harbor, Wisconsin
- Official Number: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A robust early-20th-century lake freighter repurposed mid-century into a self-unloading cement ship, powered by a rare quadruple-expansion steam engine.
Description
Built in 1898, lengthened and refitted in 1915 for Cleveland-Cliffs, then converted in 1955–56 to transport powdered cement. She measured 428 ft × 50 ft, capable of hauling huge cement loads. Notable features included an arched hull design and a spacious pilothouse for crew comfort.
History
- Original Career: Entered service with ore and coal cargoes in 1898 (as Presque Isle).
- 1915 Rebuild: Hull length and capacity expanded via arched construction at Great Lakes Engineering Works.
- Cement Conversion: Purchased in 1955 by Huron Portland Cement (Alpena, MI), converted and renamed E.M. Ford by 1956.
- Collision Incident: On maiden cement service, steering failure led to collision and sinking of A.M. Byers in the St. Clair River; she received bow repairs and continued operations.
- Regular Service: Carried powdered cement across Great Lakes until late 1979; notable for transit through Welland Canal and multiple ports.
Significant Incidents
On 24 December 1979, while docked with 7,000 tons of cement, gale-force winds and 13 ft waves broke her free. She was supported by lines but battered against the berth, punching a hole in her bow and fracturing her hull. She gradually sank within the slip on Christmas Day.
Final Disposition
Salvage operations followed: she was refloated on 20 January 1980, then moved to inner harbor, where divers removed thousands of tons of hardened cement before temporary repairs were staged. By early March, she was towed to Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay for full overhaul. Returned to active service that August.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Not a lost wreck—no underwater site. Her location and condition were tracked throughout salvage and repair.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”e-m-ford-presque-isle1898″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The E.M. Ford’s Christmas Eve 1979 sinking at Milwaukee stands as a remarkable testament to Great Lakes shipping resilience. Built in 1898, magnificently rebuilt and converted in the mid-20th century, she endured a severe gauge, sank under the weight of cement, and was returned to service within months. Divers faced the challenge of removing massive amounts of cement—a singular recovery feat on the Lakes. Eventually laid up and repurposed for storage before final scrapping in 2011.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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