Hudson – Lake Superior Freighter Shipwreck (1901)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Hudson
• Type: Steel-hulled package freighter
• Year Built: 1888
• Builder: Detroit Dry Dock Company, Wyandotte, Michigan
• Dimensions: 288 ft (87.8 m) x 41 ft (12.5 m) x 22.6 ft (6.9 m)
• Registered Tonnage: Gross: 2,294.14; Net: 1,853.37
• Depth at Wreck Site: 252 m / 825 ft
• Location: Lake Superior, off Eagle Harbor, Michigan
• Coordinates: Approx. 4 miles offshore (exact coordinates not public)
• Official Number: 95953
• Original Owners: Western Transit Company (NY Central affiliate)
• Number of Masts: Not specified

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Hudson was a steel-hulled package freighter powered by a triple-expansion steam engine with three cylinders (23″/36″/62″ × 48″ stroke), producing 1,300 hp. Built by Detroit Dry Dock Company and designed by Frank E. Kirby, it had two Scotch boilers, one 13.6 ft diameter propeller, and a distinctive fore-and-aft funnel layout. Hudson was one of the most modern steamers of her time.

Description

Hudson was a steel-hulled package freighter powered by a triple-expansion steam engine with three cylinders (23″/36″/62″ × 48″ stroke), producing 1,300 hp. Built by Detroit Dry Dock Company and designed by Frank E. Kirby, it had two Scotch boilers, one 13.6 ft diameter propeller, and a distinctive fore-and-aft funnel layout. Hudson was one of the most modern steamers of her time.

History

Launched in November 1887 and completed in 1888 for the Western Transit Company, Hudson served the Buffalo–Chicago–Duluth grain routes. She was a sister to the steamer Harlem. In 1890, she collided with and sank the steamer City of Nicolet near Buffalo.

Significant Incidents

• In 1890, Hudson collided with and sank the steamer City of Nicolet near Buffalo.

Final Disposition

Believed to have foundered due to shifting cargo (flaxseed) and mechanical failure during a severe storm. The vessel sank rapidly and was considered a total loss. Her upper structures likely detached and drifted away.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Discovered in July 2019 by searchers Jerry Eliason and Kraig Smith using sonar and drop cameras. Located approx. 4 miles off Eagle Harbor in 825 ft (252 m) of water. Stern ID confirmed by visible lettering. The wreck lies at extreme depth, with no navigational hazard.

Resources & Links

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Hudson remains a significant wreck in Lake Superior, representing the maritime history of the Great Lakes and the challenges faced by vessels during severe weather conditions.