Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: SS Lakeland (née Cambria)
- Type: Freighter
- Year Built: 1887
- Builder: Globe Iron Works Company, Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length ~300.6 ft (91.6 m); Beam ~39 ft (12 m); Depth of hold ~24 ft (7.3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: ~1,878.1 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 62 m / 205 ft
- Location: Lake Michigan, east of Sturgeon Bay
- Official Number: 126420
- Original Owners: Mutual Transportation Company (Federal Steel Company, Elbert Gary ownership)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The SS Lakeland, originally named Cambria, was a steel-hulled freighter designed for bulk cargo transport. It was one of the earliest vessels of its kind, showcasing advancements in maritime engineering.
Description
The wreck of the SS Lakeland lies upright at a depth of approximately 205 feet (62 m) in Lake Michigan. The site features a highly intact structure with visible wreckage from the cargo elevator and numerous vehicles still present in the hold.
History
Built in 1887, the vessel was initially named Cambria and served the Mutual Transportation Company. It underwent several modifications throughout its service, including a significant refit in 1910 and a conversion to an automobile carrier in 1920. The ship sank on December 3, 1924, after developing an unmanageable leak while en route from Chicago to Detroit.
Significant Incidents
- Grounding in June 1888 near Peninsula Point Light, resulting in hull damage.
- Collision and grounding in St. Marys River in 1910.
- Extensive overhaul from 1923 to 1924, including relocation of the boiler room and repairs to the rudder.
Final Disposition
The SS Lakeland sank approximately 9 miles offshore in Lake Michigan, breaking in two during the final moments. No crew fatalities were reported, but the estimated losses amounted to around $500,000 for the ship and $45,000 for the cargo.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is accessible to skilled technical divers, with penetration possible. The site is protected under sanctuary laws, prohibiting artifact removal. Dive hazards include limited visibility and entanglement risks from monofilament lines.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lakeland-cambria-us-126420″ title=”References & Links”]
The SS Lakeland is recognized for its historical significance and diving legacy, being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. The wreck remains a popular dive site, attracting divers interested in its rich history and well-preserved artifacts.
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 & Vessel Specifications
- Official Name: SS Lakeland (née Cambria)
- Registry Number: 126420 (Wikipedia, SS Lakeland)
- Builder: Globe Iron Works Company, Cleveland, Ohio
- Launch Year: 1887 (as Cambria, hull #12) (Wikipedia)
- Shipment Specs:
- Overall Length: ~300.6 ft (91.6 m)
- Length Between Perpendiculars: ~280 ft (85 m)
- Beam: ~39 ft (12 m)
- Hold Depth: ~24 ft (7.3 m)
- Gross Tonnage: ~1,878.1 tons
- Net Tonnage: ~1,377.3 tons (The Scuba News)
- Propulsion: 1,200 hp triple-expansion steam engine, powered by Scotch marine boilers (coal-fired) — a pioneering powertrain for its era (The Scuba News)
Construction & Operational History
- Originally built as Cambria for the Mutual Transportation Company (Federal Steel Company, Elbert Gary ownership). She was among the earliest steel-hulled freighters and carried bulk cargoes (ore, coal, grain, salt). (The Scuba News)
- Notable mishaps:
- Grounding in June 1888 near Peninsula Point Light, hull damage (The Scuba News)
- 1910 refit intended for passenger service, eventually completed in Cleveland; renamed Lakeland in May 1910 (The Scuba News)
- Collision and grounding in St. Marys River, 1910 (The Scuba News)
- 1920 conversion into automobile carrier; transported cars late in shipping seasons (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- Extensive overhaul (1923–24): relocated boiler room, added watertight bulkhead, new boilers, pilot house, ballast repairs, frame replacements; repaired twisted rudder stock in Detroit dry dock in Fall 1924 (The Scuba News)
Final Voyage & Sinking — December 1924
- Departed Chicago on December 3, 1924, bound for Detroit, carrying 22 Nash, Kissel, and 1 Rollin cars (Wikipedia)
- Developed an unmanageable leak in calm conditions; pumps couldn’t keep pace. At approximately 9 miles offshore (Lake Michigan, east of Sturgeon Bay), the ship sank by the stern and “telescoped” (broke in two), lights flickering until final plunge (Wisconsin Historical Society)
- No crew fatalities reported (Wikipedia)
- Estimated losses: ~$500,000 ship + ~$45,000 cargo (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Investigation & Diving Legacy
- Insurers launched investigation; wreck located in 1960 by local tugs; lies upright in ~205 ft (62 m) depth, broken aft of cargo elevator (Wikipedia)
- The salvage marked the first practical use of mixed-gas (helium) diving in the Great Lakes — a breakthrough that advanced technical diving and inspired decompression methods (Wikipedia)
- Divers discovered stern seacocks fully open, contradicting engineers’ claims, strongly suggesting intentional scuttling for insurance purposes; two trials followed, likely settled out of court (Wikipedia)
Cargo & Artifact Legacy
- Salvage attempts raised one 1924 Rollin car (later scrapped); brass steam whistle and anchor ended up in Door County Maritime Museum (Wikipedia)
- Numerous Nash and Kissel vehicles remain in hold — widely documented in reports and diving videos (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- “Gold‑Bug” Shah of Iran story remains anecdotal — not confirmed by reliable records (iransupercars.blogspot.com)
Modern Dive Site Overview
- Depth: ~205 ft (62 m), technical-advanced dive zone; highly intact structure with visible elevator wreckage and vehicles (Wisconsin Historical Society, Shipwreck Explorers, YouTube)
- Dive hazards: monofilament lines, limited visibility, entanglement risks (YouTube)
- Access: penetration possible for skilled technical divers; site under sanctuary protection (no artifact removal allowed) (Wisconsin Historical Society)
- Rich documentation exists, including underwater filming and YouTube features (YouTube)
Heritage & Legal Status
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015 (Ref#15000403) for its multifaceted significance—engineering, trade, investigation, diving innovation (Wisconsin Historical Society)
- Protected under Wisconsin state and federal law; unauthorized disturbance or artifact removal is illegal (Wisconsin Historical Society)