Identification & Site Information

• Name: Frank O’Connor
• Former Name(s): Originally launched as Weston (1892)
• Official Number: U.S. Registry #76724
• Date Built & Launched: Built in 1892 by Detroit Dry Dock Company, Wyandotte, Michigan
• Measurements: Length: 91.7 m (301 ft) Beam: 13.4 m (44 ft) Depth: 7.4 m (24.3 ft)
• Tonnage: 2,143 Gross Tons, 1,791 Net Tons
• Rebuilds: Extensively rebuilt in 1914 at the Chicago Shipbuilding Company
• Date Lost: October 2, 1919
• Coordinates: 45.11444, -87.01222

Vessel Type

Bulk Freighter (Iron Ore Carrier)
A classic “steam barge” styled freighter from the turn of the century, Frank O’Connor was purpose-built for carrying iron ore, a key commodity of the industrializing Great Lakes region.

History

The Frank O’Connor began her service life as the Weston in 1892, amid the booming iron ore trade of the late 19th century. Operated first under her original name, she was sold and renamed Frank O’Connor in honour of her new owner. She became a workhorse freighter carrying bulk cargo, predominantly iron ore, coal, and other industrial goods between major Great Lakes ports like Duluth, Cleveland, and Chicago.

The ship was a product of the robust shipbuilding capacity of the Detroit Dry Dock Company and reflected the transition from wooden to steel-hulled vessels. When she was rebuilt in 1914, she was given updated machinery and cargo-handling systems, allowing her to remain competitive with newer vessels.

In the early morning of October 2, 1919, while downbound with a cargo of coal, she caught fire off the coast of Wisconsin’s Door County near North Bay. The fire, possibly originating in the engine room, quickly engulfed the vessel. The crew abandoned ship and made it safely to shore. The ship burned to the waterline and sank in shallow waters.

Final Disposition

Frank O’Connor lies in approximately 5–9 m (16–30 ft) of water off North Bay, Lake Michigan, near Door County, Wisconsin. The hull remains largely intact and is an accessible dive site known for its well-preserved features and educational value. The wreck was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1994 due to its significance in maritime history and its accessibility as a historical shipwreck preserve.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck was discovered and documented during the 1970s by local divers and was later extensively surveyed for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Exact coordinates were made public in the 1990s.

GPS Location: Click for Google Maps
Coordinates: 45.11444, -87.01222

NOTMARs & Advisories

• The wreck is marked on navigational charts
• It is within a Wisconsin Shipwreck Preserve and is a protected site
• No obstruction to navigation; however, diving is restricted to non-disturbance guidelines
• Permits may be required for artifact recovery or detailed surveys

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Vessels Database – Frank O’Connor
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes – Article Archive
• Wisconsin Historical Society Wreck Report (archived)
• National Register of Historic Places Entry (NPS)
• David Swayze Shipwreck File – Frank O’Connor Entry
• Sketchfab 3D Model

Diving the Frank O’Connor Shipwreck

The Frank O’Connor, a wooden bulk freighter built in 1892, now rests in approximately 65 to 70 feet (20 to 21 meters) of water off the coast of Door County, Wisconsin, near Cana Island. This site has become a popular destination for intermediate-level divers due to its accessibility and the remarkable preservation of its structural components.

The wreck is marked seasonally with a Wisconsin Historical Society shipwreck mooring buoy, allowing boats to anchor directly above the site without causing damage. Divers can descend along the buoy line, which leads to the ship’s boilers situated at a depth of about 35 feet (10.7 meters). From there, the wreck slopes down to its maximum depth, offering a range of features to explore.

Key Features to Explore

• Boilers and Engine: The site features two massive Scotch boilers and a triple-expansion steam engine that rise over 20 feet (6 meters) from the lakebed. These components are largely intact and provide a striking insight into the ship’s engineering.
• Propeller and Rudder: At the stern, divers can observe the 12-foot (3.7-meter) diameter propeller still attached to the shaft. The rudder, measuring over 27 feet (8.2 meters), has detached and lies flat on the lakebed, offering a unique perspective on the ship’s steering mechanisms.
• Bow Artifacts: The bow area contains significant artifacts, including a Trotman-pattern bower anchor, a mushroom anchor still held inside the port hawsepipe, and the ship’s steam windlass. These features provide a tangible connection to the ship’s operational history.

Diving Conditions

Visibility at the site typically ranges from 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 meters), and water temperatures during the summer months vary between 40°F to 60°F (4°C to 15.5°C). The site is accessible by boat, and divers should be prepared for potential currents and plan their dives accordingly.

Recommendations for Divers

• Skill Level: While the site is suitable for intermediate divers, it’s essential to have experience with cold-water diving and be comfortable navigating around large structures.
• Equipment: Due to cooler water temperatures, a dry suit is recommended. Divers should also equip themselves with lights to explore interior sections and to enhance visibility under the boilers and around the engine room.
• Safety: Always dive with a buddy, and be mindful of entanglement hazards, especially around the engine components and scattered debris. Ensure that you have a clear plan for descent and ascent, utilizing the mooring line for reference.

Conservation Note

The Frank O’Connor is a protected archaeological site. Divers are encouraged to observe and document the wreck responsibly, avoiding the disturbance or removal of artifacts to preserve the site’s historical integrity for future generations.

Conclusion

Diving the Frank O’Connor offers a unique opportunity to connect with Great Lakes maritime history. The well-preserved structures provide a fascinating glimpse into early 20th-century shipbuilding and the operational life of bulk freighters on the Great Lakes. With proper preparation and respect for preservation guidelines, divers can experience one of Wisconsin’s most remarkable underwater cultural sites.

Suggested Keywords and Categories

• Keywords: Frank O’Connor shipwreck, Great Lakes diving, Lake Michigan wrecks, Wisconsin dive sites, historical shipwrecks, underwater archaeology.
• Categories: Shipwreck Diving, Maritime History, Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Underwater Cultural Heritage, Dive Site Guides.

Glossary Terms

• Scotch Boiler: A type of fire-tube boiler used in ships, where hot gases pass through tubes surrounded by water to generate steam.
• Triple-Expansion Steam Engine: A steam engine that expands steam in three stages for improved efficiency, commonly used in marine applications during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Mooring Buoy: A floating device anchored to the seabed, allowing vessels to tie up without using their anchors, thereby protecting the underwater environment.
• Bulk Carrier: A ship designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo such as ore, coal, or grain.
• Steam Barge: A type of vessel powered by a steam engine, common in the 19th and early 20th centuries on the Great Lakes.
• National Register of Historic Places (NRHP): The official list of the United States’ historic places worthy of preservation.

For further reading and visual references, divers and enthusiasts can explore the Wisconsin Shipwrecks website, which offers detailed information and historical context about the Frank O’Connor and other notable wrecks in the area.

3D Model – Zac Whitrock