Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Edward E. Loomis
- Type: Steel-hulled package freighter
- Year Built: 1900
- Builder: Union Dry Dock Co.
- Dimensions: 381.7 ft (116.5 m) × 50.5 ft × 14 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 4,153 GRT / 3,311 NRT; remeasured to 4,279 GRT / 3,437 NRT in 1924
- Location: Lake Erie
- Official Number: 81 733
- Original Owners: Lehigh Valley Line (1901–1920), Great Lakes Transit Corporation (1920–some point)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Steel-hulled package freighter.
Description
Description
The Edward E. Loomis, originally named Wilkesbarre, was launched on December 1, 1900, and was one of the largest and most advanced steel package freighters on the Great Lakes at the turn of the 20th century.
History
History
- 1901: Entered service on the Chicago–Buffalo package freight route.
- 1911: Collided with Lightship Kewanee at Port Huron, Michigan; repaired in Buffalo.
- 1920: Sold and renamed Edward E. Loomis under Great Lakes Transit Corporation.
- 1924: Official tonnage re-measured.
- 21 Nov 1934: Collided (in fog) with Canadian bulk freighter W. C. Franz southeast of Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron. Franz sank with four crew lost; the Loomis rescued survivors and transported them to Port Huron.
- Post-1934: Laid up in Buffalo and withdrawn from service; never reactivated.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Collision with Lightship Kewanee in 1911.
- Collision with W. C. Franz in 1934, resulting in the sinking of the Franz.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
- 1940: Sold for scrap to the Steel Company of Canada.
- 1942: Dismantled at Hamilton, Ontario.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Edward E. Loomis is confirmed, but specific details regarding its current condition and accessibility for divers are not available.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”edward-e-loomis-wilkesbarre-us-81733″ title=”References & Links”]
Closing Summary
The Edward E. Loomis represents a significant chapter in Great Lakes maritime history, showcasing engineering advancements and the evolution of shipping practices in the early 20th century.
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 & Key Specs
- Original Name: Wilkesbarre
- Renamed: Edward E. Loomis in 1920 after transfer of ownership
- Official Number: 81 733
- Hull Number: 92 (Union Dry Dock, Buffalo)
- Built: Launched 1 Dec 1900 in Buffalo, NY by Union Dry Dock Co. (Great Lakes Vessel History)
- Type: Steel-hulled package freighter
- Dimensions:
- 381.7 ft L × 50.5 ft beam × 14 ft depth
- 4,153 GRT / 3,311 NRT; remeasured to 4,279 GRT / 3,437 NRT in 1924
- Machinery: Single-screw powered by a quadruple-expansion steam engine (2,100 hp) and three 12′6″ × 11′6″ cylindrical boilers at 210 psi (Great Lakes Vessel History)
- Owned By: Lehigh Valley Line (1901–1920), later Great Lakes Transit Corporation (1920–some point), before laid up
Service History
- 1901: Entered service (Chicago–Buffalo package freight route) (Great Lakes Vessel History)
- 1911: Collided with Lightship Kewanee at Port Huron, Michigan; repaired in Buffalo
- 1920: Sold and renamed Edward E. Loomis under Great Lakes Transit Corporation (Great Lakes Vessel History)
- 1924: Official tonnage re-measured
- 21 Nov 1934: Collided (in fog) with Canadian bulk freighter W. C. Franz southeast of Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron. Franz sank with four crew lost; the Loomis rescued survivors and transported them to Port Huron (Great Lakes Vessel History)
- Post-1934: Laid up in Buffalo and withdrawn from service; never reactivated (Great Lakes Vessel History)
Final Disposition
- 1940: Sold for scrap to the Steel Company of Canada (Great Lakes Vessel History)
- 1942: Dismantled at Hamilton, Ontario (Great Lakes Vessel History)
Summary & Significance
The Wilkesbarre/Edward E. Loomis was one of the largest and most advanced steel package freighters on the Great Lakes at the turn of the 20th century. Its career highlights include:
- Supporting the bustling Chicago–Buffalo freight corridor
- Surviving major marine incidents—including collisions with navigational beacons and bulk freighters
- Serving nearly four decades of operation before obsolescence rendered it economically unviable
Legacy & Historical Value
- Engineering Precision: Represented the peak of steel-hulled, quadruple-expansion freight engineering in its era
- Maritime Safety: Involvement in the 1934 W. C. Franz collision illustrates critical rescue role in Great Lakes shipping disasters
- End of Era: Its scrapping in 1942 marks the twilight of large steam-powered package freighters, giving way to motorized and diesel-powered vessels