Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: James Gayley
- Type: Steel bulk freighter
- Year Built: 1902
- Builder: American Shipbuilding Co., Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Dimensions: Length: 416 ft (126.8 m); Beam: 50 ft; Depth of hold: 28 ft
- Registered Tonnage: Gross: 4,777 tons; Net: 3,359 tons
- Location: 43 miles east of Manitou Island, Lake Superior
- Official Number: 77523 (U.S.)
- Original Owners: Cleveland Steamship Co. (Mitchell fleet)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A classic “straight deck” Great Lakes bulk freighter of the early 20th century, the James Gayley was built to haul iron ore, coal, and bulk cargo between Duluth, Buffalo, and other industrial ports. Her steel hull and triple-expansion steam engine represented peak design of her era for efficiency and durability on the inland seas.
Description
The vessel featured a flush deck, prominent forward cabins, and a stern-mounted engine room typical of Great Lakes freighters. The steel hull with longitudinal framing and cargo hatches along deck length was built for fast, bulk load turnover. She was powered by a triple-expansion steam engine manufactured in-house at American Shipbuilding.
History
Commissioned in 1902 for the Cleveland Steamship Co, James Gayley was named for the noted Carnegie Steel executive. She operated for a decade in the coal and iron ore trades across Lakes Erie and Superior. Her final voyage was in August 1912, carrying coal upbound to Duluth.
Significant Incidents
On August 7, 1912, in dense fog on Lake Superior, James Gayley collided with the upbound steamer Rensselaer about 43 miles east of Manitou Island. She sank rapidly—within 16 minutes—after suffering a breach. Captain and crew escaped in lifeboats. There were no fatalities. Her enrollment was officially closed on August 14, 1912.
Final Disposition
The wreck site remains largely unsurveyed. She is presumed to lie in deep water off the southeastern shore of Lake Superior. No known formal identification of the site has been made.
Current Condition & Accessibility
None noted, though the site is presumed deep and may pose cold water, low visibility, and decompression risks if explored in future.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”james-gayley-us-77523″ title=”References & Links”]
The James Gayley is a representative of the large, steel-hulled freighters that transformed inland maritime commerce at the turn of the 20th century. Her abrupt sinking without loss of life demonstrates the effectiveness of emerging safety protocols. She remains a largely undiscovered but historically significant shipwreck on Lake Superior.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: James Gayley
- Former Names: None
- Registry Number: 77523 (U.S.)
- Year Built: 1902
- Built At: American Shipbuilding Co., Cleveland, Ohio, USA (Hull #410)
- Owner at Time of Loss: Cleveland Steamship Co. (Mitchell fleet)
- Vessel Type: Steel bulk freighter (propeller-driven)
- Dimensions:
- Length: 126.8 m (416 ft)
- Beam: 15.2 m (50 ft)
- Depth: 8.5 m (28 ft)
- Tonnage:
- Gross: 4,777 tons
- Net: 3,359 tons
- Propulsion: Triple-expansion steam engine (22″–33″–58″ cylinders × 40″ stroke), single screw
Vessel Type
A classic “straight deck” Great Lakes bulk freighter of the early 20th century, the James Gayley was built to haul iron ore, coal, and bulk cargo between Duluth, Buffalo, and other industrial ports. Her steel hull and triple-expansion steam engine represented peak design of her era for efficiency and durability on the inland seas.
Description
The vessel featured a flush deck, prominent forward cabins, and a stern-mounted engine room typical of Great Lakes freighters. The steel hull with longitudinal framing and cargo hatches along deck length was built for fast, bulk load turnover. She was powered by a triple-expansion steam engine manufactured in-house at American Shipbuilding.
History
Commissioned in 1902 for the Cleveland Steamship Co., James Gayley was named for the noted Carnegie Steel executive. She operated for a decade in the coal and iron ore trades across Lakes Erie and Superior. Her final voyage was in August 1912, carrying coal upbound to Duluth.
Final Disposition
On August 7, 1912, in dense fog on Lake Superior, James Gayley collided with the upbound steamer Rensselaer about 43 miles east of Manitou Island. She sank rapidly—within 16 minutes—after suffering a breach. Captain and crew escaped in lifeboats. There were no fatalities. Her enrollment was officially closed on August 14, 1912.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck site remains largely unsurveyed. She is presumed to lie in deep water off the southeastern shore of Lake Superior. No known formal identification of the site has been made.
Notmars & Advisories
None noted, though the site is presumed deep and may pose cold water, low visibility, and decompression risks if explored in future.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Vessel History: James Gayley
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (G)
- Wrecksite Entry
- Flybridge Forums: August 7 Event
Conclusion
The James Gayley is a representative of the large, steel-hulled freighters that transformed inland maritime commerce at the turn of the 20th century. Her abrupt sinking without loss of life demonstrates the effectiveness of emerging safety protocols. She remains a largely undiscovered but historically significant shipwreck on Lake Superior.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
Steel Freighter, 20th Century Shipwreck, Lake Superior, Bulk Carrier, Collision Loss, Great Lakes Shipping, Triple-Expansion Engine, Mitchell Fleet, Cleveland Steamship Co., Deepwater Wreck
james-gayley-us-77523 1912-08-07 18:25:00