Henry Chisholm – Lake Superior Freighter Shipwreck (1898)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: HENRY CHISHOLM
• Type: Wooden Bulk Freighter
• Year Built: 1880
• Builder: Cleveland, Ohio
• Dimensions: Length 256.5 ft (78.2 m); Beam 39.3 ft (12.0 m); Depth of hold 20.3 ft (6.2 m)
• Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 1775.37 tons; Net Tonnage: 1332.18 tons
• Location: Rock of Ages, Isle Royale, Lake Superior
• Official Number: 95610
• Original Owners: Alva Bradley of Cleveland, later Bradley Transportation Co.
• Number of Masts: Three

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The HENRY CHISHOLM was a wooden-hulled bulk freighter, a type of vessel designed for the efficient transport of bulk cargo such as grain, iron ore, or coal across the Great Lakes. It was powered by an advanced for-and-aft compound engine, providing considerable power for towing and independent navigation. With three masts complementing its screw propulsion, the HENRY CHISHOLM was versatile for its era.

Description

The wreck of the HENRY CHISHOLM lies near Rock of Ages in Isle Royale National Park. The engine and other remnants remain preserved as underwater cultural heritage. The site is accessible to divers and is part of the park’s preserved maritime history. Visibility is generally good, making it an attractive dive site.

History

Ownership and Duties

Initially owned by Alva Bradley and later by the Bradley Transportation Co., the HENRY CHISHOLM was a workhorse of Great Lakes shipping.

1883–1898: The vessel frequently towed various barges, including: AHIRA COBB, CITY OF CLEVELAND, ALVA BRADLEY, ADRIATIC, JOHN MARTIN, THOMAS QUAYLE, SOUTHWEST, and D.P. RHODES.

Significant Modifications

1896: Reboilered and underwent engine repairs in Cleveland, enhancing its operational life.

Cargo and Routes

The vessel’s primary cargoes included barley, coal, and iron ore, crucial to the industrial and agricultural economy of the late 19th century.

Significant Incidents

Wrecking Incident

• Date: October 20, 1898
• Location: Rock of Ages, Isle Royale, Lake Superior.
• Circumstances: During a gale, the HENRY CHISHOLM ran aground while seeking shelter.
• Cargo: 92,000 bushels of barley.
• Outcome:
  • The crew escaped safely in small boats.
  • The vessel was declared a total loss.
  • The boilers were recovered in August 1901.

Final Disposition

The HENRY CHISHOLM was declared a total loss after running aground during a gale. The crew managed to escape safely, and the wreck remains a significant site for maritime history.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the HENRY CHISHOLM lies near Rock of Ages in Isle Royale National Park. The site features preserved remnants, including the engine, which are part of the underwater cultural heritage. The wreck is accessible to divers, and visibility is generally good, making it an attractive dive site.

Sketchfab Resource: The engine of the HENRY CHISHOLM has been documented in 3D by NPS-SRC, available on platforms like Sketchfab for educational and research purposes.

Resources & Links

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The HENRY CHISHOLM embodies the era of wooden bulk freighters, which played a critical role in developing the Great Lakes’ industrial economy. Its advanced engine technology and operational history reflect the innovations and challenges of 19th-century maritime commerce. The vessel’s wreck at Isle Royale adds to the storied history of shipwrecks in Lake Superior, now preserved as part of the region’s underwater cultural heritage.