Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Fleetwood (John Sharpless, Cicoa Glenvegan, Wairton) US 77587

Explore the history of the John Sharpless, a steel-hulled steamer with a storied past on the Great Lakes, ultimately scrapped in 1947.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: John Sharpless
  • Type: Steamer (Propeller)
  • Year Built: 1903
  • Builder: Superior Ship Building Co.
  • Dimensions: 255.00 ft (77.72 m); Beam: 41.00 ft; Depth of hold: 18.00 ft
  • Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 1,614.00 (1906); 1,588.00 (1916); Net Tonnage: 919.00 (1906); 915.00 (1916)
  • Location: Scrapped on the East Coast
  • Official Number: 77587
  • Original Owners: Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Navigation Co.

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The John Sharpless was a steel-hulled propeller-driven steamer built in 1903 by the Superior Ship Building Co. in Superior, Wisconsin. Designed for the rigorous conditions of the Great Lakes, the vessel featured a powerful 900 horsepower engine, making it a robust and reliable carrier for heavy cargoes such as corn, which was its load during its infamous 1910 stranding.

Description

The John Sharpless began its service in 1903, navigating the Great Lakes under the ownership of the Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Navigation Co. The vessel encountered numerous challenges throughout its career, including two significant stranding incidents in 1910 and 1914 near Galloups Island, NY, in Lake Ontario. One of the most harrowing episodes in the ship’s history occurred on December 10, 1903, when the John Sharpless struck rocks off Galloups Island during a blinding snowstorm. The crew of 19 men and one woman endured extreme cold as they huddled in the ship’s cabin, with no heat except for oil lamps, until they were rescued by the steamer Hinckley.

History

The John Sharpless underwent several name changes and rebuilds throughout its service life. After its 1944 transfer to British ownership as the FLEETWOOD, it returned to U.S. ownership in 1945. The vessel was eventually scrapped on the East Coast in 1947, marking the end of a storied career that spanned over four decades.

Significant Incidents

  • December 10, 1903: Struck rocks off Galloups Island during a snowstorm, leading to a rescue by the steamer Hinckley.
  • Stranding incidents in 1910 and 1914 near Galloups Island, NY.

Final Disposition

The John Sharpless was dismantled on the East Coast in 1947. No underwater wreck exists, as the vessel was scrapped.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As the John Sharpless was scrapped, there is no wreck site available for diving or exploration. The remains of the vessel were likely dismantled for scrap metal, leaving no significant artifacts or structures intact.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The history of the John Sharpless reflects the challenges faced by Great Lakes steamers in the early 20th century, including extreme weather conditions, navigational hazards, and the constant threat of mechanical failure. Despite these challenges, the John Sharpless had a long service life, adapting through multiple ownership changes and rebuilds before its final dismantling in 1947. This resilience is a testament to the engineering and craftsmanship of early 20th-century shipbuilders and the tenacity of the crews who manned these vessels.