Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Howard S. Gerkin (Rosamond Billett, T. P. Phelan) C 130272, US 140953, US 225429

Explore the wreck of the Howard S. Gerkin, a sand sucker sunk in 1926, now a notable dive site in Lake Erie.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Howard S. Gerkin
  • Type: Sand Sucker
  • Year Built: 1910
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Length: 241 ft (73.5 m); Width: 41 ft (12.5 m); Depth: 14 ft (4.3 m)
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 21.3 m / 70 ft
  • Location: Lake Erie, Pennsylvania
  • Coordinates: 42° 16.372′ N, 80° 03.315′ W
  • Official Number: C 130272, US 140953, US 225429

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Howard S. Gerkin is classified as a sand sucker, a vessel specifically designed for dredging sand and gravel from lakebeds.

Description

The Howard S. Gerkin lies upside-down in the mud at a depth of 70 ft. While most of the wreck sits above the lakebed, minimal artifacts are present. Key features include:

  • Two rudders and propellers visible on site.
  • A few dug-out areas allow divers to penetrate portions of the wreck.

History

The Howard S. Gerkin began its service in 1910 as a sand sucker, a vessel designed for extracting and transporting sand and gravel from lakebeds. Operating under different names and registries, the ship played a significant role in Great Lakes industry. By 1926, the vessel met its fate, sinking in Lake Erie. Despite the sinking, its robust steel hull and key components remain largely intact, making it a notable wreck for divers and historians.

Significant Incidents

  • Sank on March 14, 1926, in Lake Erie.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Howard S. Gerkin remains submerged in Lake Erie, serving as a site for recreational diving and historical exploration.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is confirmed and accessible for diving, with conditions suitable for intermediate divers. Divers are encouraged to practice no-touch documentation methods and to leave the site better than they found it.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”howard-s-gerkin-rosamond-billett-t-p-phelan-c-130272-us-140953-us-225429″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

As you explore the Howard S. Gerkin, remember to respect the site and its history. Leave only bubbles and take only memories, contributing to the preservation of this underwater heritage.

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.

T.P. PHELAW (1918, Barge)
Leonard J. Barr II Collection
Name of original file : TP_PHELAW_001.jp2

Identification & Site Information

  • Name(s): Howard S. Gerkin (formerly Rosamond Billett, T. P. Phelan)
  • Registry: Initially Canada, later the United States
  • Official Numbers: 130272, 140953, 225429
  • Vessel Type: Sand Sucker
  • Year Built: 1910
  • Year Sank: 1926
  • Hull Material: Steel
  • Engines: Two
  • Dimensions Length: 241 ft (73.5 m) Width: 41 ft (12.5 m) Depth: 14 ft (4.3 m)

Vessel History

The Howard S. Gerkin began its service in 1910 as a sand sucker, a vessel designed for extracting and transporting sand and gravel from lakebeds. Operating under different names and registries, the ship played a significant role in Great Lakes industry. By 1926, the vessel met its fate, sinking in Lake Erie. Despite the sinking, its robust steel hull and key components remain largely intact, making it a notable wreck for divers and historians.

References and Links

Wreck Site Information

  • • Lake: Erie
  • • State/Province: Pennsylvania
  • • Depth: 70 ft (21.3 m)
  • • GPS Coordinates: 42° 16.372′ N, 80° 03.315′ W

Site Description:

The Howard S. Gerkin lies upside-down in the mud at a depth of 70 ft. While most of the wreck sits above the lakebed, minimal artifacts are present. Key features include:

  • Two rudders and propellers visible on site.
  • A few dug-out areas allow divers to penetrate portions of the wreck.

Keywords, Categories & Glossary

Keywords: Howard S. Gerkin, Sand Sucker, Lake Erie Shipwreck, Pennsylvania Wrecks

Categories: Industrial Maritime History, Steel-Hulled Vessels, Great Lakes Shipwrecks

Glossary:

  • Sand Sucker: A vessel specifically designed for dredging sand and gravel from lakebeds.
  • Rudder: A flat piece, typically vertical, used to steer a vessel.
  • Propeller: A device with blades that rotate to propel a ship through water.

3D Model Howard S. Gerkin

Howard Gerkin by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

YouTube Video

howard-s-gerkin-rosamond-billett-t-p-phelan 1926-03-14 07:54:00