Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: James B. Colgate
- Type: Whaleback Steamer
- Year Built: 1892
- Builder: American Steel Barge Company
- Dimensions: 308 ft (94 m); Beam: 38 ft; Depth of hold: 24 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 1,713 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 25 m / 75 ft
- Location: Erieau, Ontario, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: 42° 05.374000 N, 081° 44.255000 W
- Official Number: US 77019
- Original Owners: American Steel Barge Company, Bessemer Steamship Company, Pittsburgh Steamship Company, Standard Transit
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Whaleback Steamer
Description
The James B. Colgate was a steel whaleback freighter, notable for its unique design featuring a long, narrow hull, rounded sides, blunt bow, and flat bottom. This design allowed it to navigate the Great Lakes effectively, minimizing resistance from waves.
History
Launched on September 21, 1892, the James B. Colgate was built in West Superior, Wisconsin. It served various fleets throughout its operational life, including the American Steel Barge Company and the Pittsburgh Steamship Company. The vessel was primarily used to transport cargo across the Great Lakes.
Significant Incidents
- October 20, 1916: The James B. Colgate sank during a severe storm on Lake Erie, part of the maritime disaster known as ‘Black Friday’.
- Only one of the 26 crew members, Captain Walter Grashaw, survived the sinking.
- The storm also claimed three other vessels, resulting in a total loss of 49 lives.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the James B. Colgate was discovered in 1991, resting upside down approximately 12 miles southwest of Erieau, Ontario. The site serves as a somber reminder of the tragic events of ‘Black Friday’.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is located at a depth of 75 feet (25 meters) and is accessible to divers with advanced skills. It is important for divers to practice no-touch documentation methods and to respect the site, leaving only bubbles and taking only memories.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”james-b-colgate-us-77019″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The James B. Colgate remains a significant part of maritime history, representing both the engineering marvels of its time and the tragic consequences of nature’s fury. Divers are encouraged to explore the site responsibly and ethically.
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.
- Whaleback Steamer
- 308ft 100m Lengths
- 75ffw 25m Depths
- Erieau, Ontario, Lake Erie
- 42° 05.374000 N, 081° 44.255000 W
History
On October 20, 1916, Lake Erie bore witness to one of its most devastating maritime tragedies, an event forever etched in history as “Black Friday.” Among the victims of this ferocious storm was the JAMES B. COLGATE, a whaleback steamer with a storied past. This is the comprehensive history of the vessel and its tragic sinking.
Built in West Superior, Wisconsin, by the American Steel Barge Company, the JAMES B. COLGATE was launched on September 21, 1892. This steel whaleback freighter was a remarkable feat of engineering, measuring 308 feet in length, with a beam of 38 feet, and a depth of 24 feet. It had a tonnage of 1,713 tons and could carry a substantial cargo.
The JAMES B. COLGATE spent most of its operational life under various fleets, including the American Steel Barge Company, Bessemer Steamship Company, Pittsburgh Steamship Company, and Standard Transit. Its impressive design, characterized by a long, narrow hull, rounded sides, a blunt bow, and a flat bottom, was intended to allow waves to wash over the deck with minimal resistance to wind and water. It was the first of its kind, known as a “whaleback,” to navigate the Great Lakes.
On the morning of October 20, 1916, the JAMES B. COLGATE set sail from Buffalo, New York, carrying a cargo of hard coal destined for Fort William, Ontario (now Thunder Bay). The vessel embarked on what would tragically become its final voyage, oblivious to the impending catastrophe. A stiff breeze and choppy waters marked the early stages of the journey. The weather bureau predicted a 60-mile gale before sundown, but the ship pressed on, confident in its capacity to withstand the elements.
As the JAMES B. COLGATE crossed Lake Erie, the gale-force winds intensified, and the vessel was relentlessly pounded by towering waves. The ship’s cargo hold began to take on water, and the pumps struggled to keep up with the relentless inflow. Without radio communications and with no means to launch lifeboats, the crew faced a dire situation. The vessel developed a list, and within hours, it met its tragic fate, sliding bow-first to the bottom of Lake Erie.
Amid the chaos and frigid waters, only one member of the 26-man crew survived: Captain Walter Grashaw. He had been aboard the JAMES B. COLGATE for a decade, serving as the first mate until a week before the voyage when he was promoted to captain. With only one lifeboat on board, the crew had to rely on life preservers, which proved ineffective in the violent storm. Clinging to a small life raft with two others, Captain Grashaw endured a harrowing night as the waves tossed their fragile craft. By morning, he was the sole survivor.
The sinking of the JAMES B. COLGATE was just one tragic chapter of “Black Friday.” Three other ships—the D.L. FILER, MARSHALL F. BUTTERS, and MERIDA—also succumbed to the storm, resulting in a total loss of 49 lives. It was one of the worst disasters Lake Erie had ever witnessed, a day forever etched in maritime history.
In 1991, divers located the remains of the JAMES B. COLGATE resting upside down, some 12 miles southwest of Erieau, Ontario. The vessel that had sailed for nearly 24 years met its final resting place on that fateful “Black Friday,” a day of tragedy and remembrance.
Sources and References
- Bowen, Dana Thomas. Shipwrecks of the Lakes. Ohio: Freshwater Press, 1952.
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Ratigan, William. Great Lakes Shipwrecks and Survivals. New York: WM. B. Eerdmans, 1960.
- Stone, Dave. Long Point: Last Port of Call. Ontario: The Boston Mills Press, 1988
- Great Lakes Ships Website
- Wikipedia
- Stonehouse, Frederick, and Daniel R. Fountain. Dangerous Coast: Pictured Rocks Shipwrecks. Michigan: Avery Color Studios, 1997.
- Great Lakes Vessel History Website
- Bowling Green State University Historical Collections of the Great Lakes Website
- Swayze, David D. Shipwreck!: A Comprehensive Directory of Over 3,700 Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. Michigan: Harbor House, 1992.
- Save Ontario Shipwreck Website Buoy Status
- NOAA Skip GIllam Article
- David Swayze Shipwreck File Website
- Thompson, Mark L. Graveyard of the Lakes. Michigan: Wayne State University Press, 2000.
- YouTube Video Ric Mixter