Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Fairbank, N.K. (renamed Eliza H. Strong)
- Type: Wooden-hulled bulk freighter
- Year Built: 1874
- Builder: W. Morley, Marine City, Michigan
- Dimensions: 207 ft × 36.8 ft × 11.3 ft (63.1 m × 11.2 m × 3.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 980 gross / 834 net tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 7.6 m / 25 ft
- Location: Off Lexington, Michigan
- Coordinates: Approx. 1 mile east of the Lexington breakwall at ~43°15.74′N, 82°30.61′W
- Official Number: 130033 (as Fairbank), 136733 (as Eliza H. Strong)
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled bulk freighter with two decks and screw propulsion.
Description
The Eliza H. Strong, originally named Fairbank, N.K., was a wooden-hulled bulk freighter built in 1874. It featured a two-deck design and was powered by a 2-cylinder high-pressure steam engine. The vessel was primarily used for transporting lumber.
History
The keel of the Fairbank was laid in 1873 but construction was paused due to the Panic of 1873. It was launched in 1874 and had its home port in Rochester, NY. The ship had a maiden winter season to Duluth carrying lime and cement. Between 1886 and 1895, it experienced multiple groundings and collisions. In 1895, it caught fire while aground at Morgan Point and was later rebuilt. In 1899, it was renamed Eliza H. Strong, remeasured, and had its engine replaced. The vessel sprang a leak in 1901 and was towed in for repairs. On its final voyage in 1904, it was carrying lumber from Saginaw to Lexington when a fire broke out.
Significant Incidents
- 1873: Keel laid (paused during Panic of 1873).
- 1874: Launched; home port Rochester, NY.
- 1882: Maiden winter season to Duluth with lime & cement cargo.
- 1886–1895: Multiple groundings and collisions (Soo Canal, Lake St. Clair, Lake Superior).
- 1895: Aground at Morgan Point, caught fire—later rebuilt.
- 1899: Renamed Eliza H. Strong, remeasured (781 gt / 614 nt), engine replaced.
- 1901: Sprang leak off Munising; towed in, repaired under salvage claim.
- 1904: Final cargo run carrying lumber from Saginaw to Lexington when fire occurred.
Final Disposition
The Eliza H. Strong met its end on October 26, 1904, when a fire erupted in the aft cabin. The crew abandoned ship, and the vessel burned down to the waterline before foundering. It was carrying lumber as its final cargo.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck lies upright in approximately 25 ft (7.6 m) of water, about 1 mile east of the Lexington breakwall. The hull has been flattened to the waterline and dynamited to mitigate navigational hazards. The wreckage primarily consists of the bottom section, square-headed nails, boiler and engine fragments, and lumber debris, preserved under clear Lake Huron water.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”eliza-h-strong-us-136733-n-k-fairbank-us-130033″ title=”References & Links”]
The Eliza H. Strong—originally the Fairbank, N.K.—served 30 years on the Great Lakes, surviving multiple mishaps before succumbing to fire off Lexington in October 1904. Now resting in shallow Lake Huron water, her flattened hull remains. The wreck is accessible to recreational divers and offers insights into late 19th-century wooden-steamer construction and fire-at-sea disasters. Although dynamited, key machinery and structural elements endure, making it a compelling shallow-water dive site with rich artifact presence.
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
- Name: Fairbank, N.K. (renamed Eliza H. Strong)
- Year Built: 1874
- Official Numbers: 130033 (as Fairbank), 136733 (as Eliza H. Strong)
- Built At: Marine City, Michigan by W. Morley
- Type: Wooden-hulled bulk freighter, two decks, screw propulsion
- Masts: Three
- Engine & Boiler: 2-cylinder high-pressure steam engine (34″ × 30″ stroke) by Dry Dock Engine Works; 10′ × 16′ tubular boiler at 40 psi steam by Desotelle & Hutton
- Dimensions: 207′ × 36.8′ × 11.3′ (63.1 × 11.2 × 3.4 m)
- Tonnage: 980 gross / 834 net tons
- Cargo Capacity: ~1,200 tons (lumber trade)
Final Disposition
- Date: 26 October 1904
- Location: Off Lexington, Michigan (Lake Huron)
- Cause: Fire erupted in the aft cabin; crew abandoned ship; she burned down to the waterline and foundered. (doubleactiondivecharters.com, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, 3dshipwrecks.org)
- Final Cargo: Lumber
- Depth & Position: Sits upright in ~25 ft (7.6 m) of water, approx. 1 mile east of the Lexington breakwall at ~43°15.74′ N, 82°30.61′ W (coastalshipwrecks.com)
History
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1873 | Keel laid (paused during Panic of 1873) |
| 1874 | Launched; home port Rochester, NY |
| 1882 | Maiden winter season to Duluth with lime & cement cargo |
| 1886–1895 | Multiple groundings and collisions (Soo Canal, Lake St. Clair, Lake Superior) |
| 1895 | Aground at Morgan Point, caught fire—later rebuilt |
| 1899 | Renamed Eliza H. Strong, remeasured (781 gt / 614 nt), engine replaced |
| 1901 | Sprang leak off Munising; towed in, repaired under salvage claim |
| 1904 | Final cargo run carrying lumber from Saginaw to Lexington when fire occurred |
Wreck Location & Condition
- Lies in about 25 ft (7.6 m) of water, bottom-up, the hull flattened to waterline and dynamited (per navigational hazard abatement) (3dshipwrecks.org, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, archiveswest.orbiscascade.org, facebook.com)
- Wreckage comprises primarily the bottom section, square-headed nails, boiler and engine fragments, and lumber debris preserved under clear Lake Huron water (donsdiverdown.blogspot.com)
Located By & Notability
- No formal archaeological expedition recorded, but the wreck is known to sport divers and local dive charters; charted by dive logs and maritime enthusiasts (donsdiverdown.blogspot.com)
- Divers report abundant artifacts, including a still-attached sink and intact deck items from the aft section (donsdiverdown.blogspot.com)
Notmars & Advisorie
- Wreck was deemed a navigation hazard and dynamited flat in 1905 by Reid Wrecking Co. (wikimapia.org)
- No current Notices to Mariners, but clearly marked on local charts and known to recreational divers
Resources & Links
- 3DShipwrecks.org – Eliza H. Strong: Site description, depth, location, structure (doubleactiondivecharters.com, 3dshipwrecks.org)
- Double Action Dive Charters: History and dive info for wreck (doubleactiondivecharters.com)
- Diver Down blog: Firsthand dive account with photos and artifacts (sink, nails) (donsdiverdown.blogspot.com)
- Noble Odyssey Foundation: Coordinates and wreck details (coastalshipwrecks.com)
Conclusion
The Eliza H. Strong—originally the Fairbank, N.K.—served 30 years on the Great Lakes, surviving multiple mishaps before succumbing to fire off Lexington in October 1904. Now resting in shallow Lake Huron water, her flattened hull remains. The wreck is accessible to recreational divers and offers insights into late 19th-century wooden-steamer construction and fire-at-sea disasters. Although dynamited, key machinery and structural elements endure, making it a compelling shallow-water dive site with rich artifact presence.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
Eliza H. Strong, Fairbank N.K., wooden bulk freighter, fire, Lake Huron wreck, Lexington dive, lumber cargo, steam engine, dynamited wreck, 1904 ship fire wreck