Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: H.C. AKELEY
- Type: Bulk Freighter
- Year Built: 1881
- Builder: Thomas W. Kirby (Mechanics Dry Dock Company)
- Dimensions: 231.6 ft (70.6 m); Beam 35.1 ft (10.7 m); Depth of hold 18.7 ft (5.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1187 gross tons, 794.7 net tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 84 m / 275 ft
- Location: 15 miles off Holland, Michigan
- Official Number: 95639
- Original Owners: Thomas W. Kirby and Healy C. Akeley
- Number of Masts: three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden Bulk Freighter (Screw Propeller)Description
The H.C. AKELEY was a wooden-hulled bulk freighter, built in 1881 at Grand Haven, Michigan, by Thomas W. Kirby of the Mechanics Dry Dock Company. Designed for the Great Lakes grain, coal, and ore trade, she featured three masts, one smokestack, and two decks.
A unique aspect of her construction was the use of T.W. Kirby’s patent “Hog Rods”, a structural reinforcement system designed to prevent hull flexing under heavy cargo loads. This innovation reflected efforts to extend the lifespan of wooden vessels competing against increasingly popular iron and steel freighters.
Her engine came from the GENERAL H.E. PAINE, a vessel wrecked at Grand Haven in 1879, showcasing the common practice of reusing valuable machinery in new ship construction.
The vessel was valued at $110,000 at the time of enrollment on May 20, 1881.
History
The H.C. AKELEY was jointly owned by Thomas W. Kirby and Healy C. Akeley, both from Grand Haven, Michigan. She was a major player in the bulk freight industry, regularly transporting grain, coal, and other bulk goods between Chicago, Milwaukee, and Buffalo.
The vessel underwent repairs at Wolf & Davidson’s Shipyard in Milwaukee on June 9, 1882, and was docked in July 1883 after grounding earlier that year.
Despite her modern construction, the unpredictability of Great Lakes storms would prove her undoing.
Significant Incidents
- Grounded earlier in 1883, leading to drydocking in July.
Final Disposition
Foundered in a gale on November 13, 1883, 15 miles off Holland, Michigan, in Lake Michigan. The vessel was a total loss.
- Crew of 17: 11 survived, 6 perished
- Final Cargo: Corn
The H.C. AKELEY lay undiscovered until 2001, when David Trotter, a well-known Great Lakes shipwreck hunter, located the wreck in 275 feet (84 m) of water.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck lies in deep water, beyond typical recreational diving limits. Visibility and current conditions may affect accessibility for technical divers.
Resources & Links
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The H.C. AKELEY represents a classic example of a 19th-century wooden bulk freighter, built during a period when Great Lakes commerce was expanding rapidly. Her cutting-edge hull reinforcement system and use of salvaged machinery highlight the innovation and resourcefulness of shipbuilders of the era.
Her loss in a Lake Michigan gale in 1883 is a stark reminder of the perils faced by mariners, particularly in the early years of bulk freight transport. Though she was considered an advanced wooden freighter, she could not withstand the brutal forces of the Great Lakes, which claimed six lives that fateful night.
Her rediscovery in 2001 by David Trotter has provided valuable insights into the construction and operation of early bulk carriers, preserving an important piece of Great Lakes shipping history.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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