Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Joseph C. Suit
- Type: Wooden steam screw vessel
- Year Built: 1884
- Builder: James C. Elliott, Saugatuck, Michigan
- Dimensions: 110 ft (33.53 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 318 gross tons
- Location: Detroit River
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Joseph C. Suit was a wooden steam screw vessel, approximately 110 feet in length, built for passenger and freight transport in the Detroit River.
Description
Constructed in 1884 by James C. Elliott in Saugatuck, Michigan, the Joseph C. Suit served as a vital link in regional trade for nearly 30 years. The vessel was designed to accommodate both passengers and freight, reflecting the transportation needs of the time.
History
Throughout her service, the Joseph C. Suit operated primarily in the Detroit River, contributing to the bustling trade and transportation network of the Great Lakes region. Her operational history showcases the evolution of maritime transport during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Significant Incidents
Significant incidents include:
- On November 9, 1912, while securely tied to her dock in Detroit, the Joseph C. Suit was rammed by the newly launched 425-foot steel passenger steamer City of Detroit III.
- A miscommunication in propulsion during the departure of the City of Detroit III resulted in a violent collision, dragging the Suit nearly 200 feet downstream.
- Despite the severity of the impact, all nine individuals aboard the Joseph C. Suit evacuated safely.
Final Disposition
The collision caused severe damage to the Joseph C. Suit, leading to her being declared a total constructive loss shortly after the incident. The vessel sank almost immediately following the collision, marking the end of her nearly three-decade service.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is not documented, but it is confirmed that the Joseph C. Suit sank in the Detroit River. Accessibility for divers may vary based on local regulations and environmental conditions.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”joseph-c-suit-1884″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Joseph C. Suit serves as a poignant reminder of the operational hazards faced by vessels in busy ports during the early 20th century. The incident underscores the importance of communication and safety protocols in maritime operations.
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.
Identification & Specifications
- Name: Joseph C. Suit
- Built: 1884 by James C. Elliott, Saugatuck, Michigan
- Type: Wooden steam screw vessel (~110′ length, 318 gross tons); operated as a passenger and freight carrier in the Detroit River ▲ [[turn0search2]].
Final Voyage & Collision
- On November 9, 1912, while securely tied to her dock in Detroit, Joseph C. Suit was rammed by the brand-new, 425-foot steel passenger steamer City of Detroit III as it departed port
- A propulsion miscommunication during departure caused the City of Detroit III to violently ram into the docked Suit, dragging her nearly 200 feet downstream and pinning her under the larger vessel’s anchor and rudder
- Despite the severity of the impact, all nine people aboard the Suit safely evacuated thanks to shouts of warning from the crew of the larger steamer
Outcome & Damage
- The collision left the Joseph C. Suit ripped from her moorings, severely compromised, and sinking almost immediately
- No loss of life occurred; all aboard escaped unharmed.
- She was declared a total constructive loss following the incident
Archival Sources
- Historic Detroit entry on City of Detroit III explains: “a miscommunication to the engine room resulted in it clobbering the Joseph C. Suit, a small wooden passenger and freight carrier that had been moored at dock … The Suit … sank almost immediately.” (historicdetroit.org, Academia)
- Multiple Facebook historical accounts corroborate the event, noting no injuries and describing how the vessel wedged under the steamer before sinking (Facebook, Facebook)
Contextual Significance
- This incident highlights early-20th-century harbor operational hazards, especially involving modern steel liners and smaller wooden vessels in crowded dock environments
- The City of Detroit III was a flagship passenger steamer—its collision with the Suit underscores the disparity of vessel sizes and the risks posed by mechanical miscommunication
- Joseph C. Suit was an example of a small workhorse vessel built for regional trade; her loss marked the end of nearly 30 years of service connecting inland ports
Areas for Potential Follow-Up
| Research Topic | Suggested Source |
|---|---|
| Crew & passenger names | Detroit newspapers (Nov 1912)—Free Press, Journal Herald |
| Salvage proceedings & cost | Detroit harbor authority records & marine insurance logs |
| Technical collision analysis | Maritime inspection reports regarding City of Detroit III |
Conclusion
The Joseph C. Suit, built in 1884 and used for nearly 30 years in Detroit-area trade, met her end on November 9, 1912, after being rammed and sunk while docked—victim of a mechanical miscommunication on a flagship passenger steamer. The collision resulted in substantial damage but fortunately no casualties. Her loss highlights the complex and ever-present dangers of mixed vessel traffic in bustling early 20th-century Great Lakes ports.
- Locate detailed accident reports in Detroit archives?
- Draft a newspaper search strategy for survivor or eyewitness accounts?
- Research insurance claims and harbor authority records related to this event?