Malton (e.m. Peck US 135983) C 130439 – Lake Ontario Freighter Shipwreck (1935)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: MALTON (formerly E.M. PECK)
• Type: Bulk Propeller (Composite Construction)
• Year Built: 1888
• Builder: Detroit/Wyandotte Shipbuilding, Detroit, Michigan, USA
• Dimensions: Length 252.6 ft (76.99 m); Beam 40.3 ft (12.28 m); Depth of hold 18.6 ft (5.67 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 1,651 (Canadian registry)
• Depth at Wreck Site: 5.67 m / 18.6 ft
• Location: Port Dalhousie, Ontario
• Official Number: 130439
• Original Owners: E.M. PECK; Alfred E. Matthews, Toronto, Ontario; Abraham Newman & Joseph Levin, St. Catharines, Ontario

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The MALTON was a composite-built bulk propeller, a type of vessel widely used for transporting bulk goods, such as coal, grain, and other commodities, across the Great Lakes. The composite construction combined a wooden hull with steel reinforcements, allowing for increased cargo capacity while maintaining structural integrity. It was powered by a screw propulsion system, driven by a 103-horsepower steam engine.

Description

The MALTON, originally named E.M. PECK, was built in 1888 and served as a bulk carrier on the Great Lakes. Its composite construction allowed it to transport various bulk goods efficiently. The vessel was known for its size and capacity, reflecting advancements in shipbuilding during its time.

History

As E.M. PECK (1888–1915):

• Built in 1888 at the Detroit/Wyandotte Shipbuilding Yard, the E.M. PECK began its career as a bulk propeller, serving the industrial needs of the U.S. Great Lakes shipping industry.
• It operated under several owners, primarily hauling goods between major Great Lakes ports.
• Renowned for its size and capacity, the vessel exemplified the advancements in Great Lakes shipbuilding during the late 19th century.

Renamed MALTON (1915–1935):

• The vessel was sold to Canadian interests in 1915, renamed MALTON, and registered under the Canadian flag (Official Number 130439).
• Alfred E. Matthews of Toronto was its first Canadian owner, later sold to Abraham Newman and Joseph Levin of St. Catharines, Ontario, by the 1930s.
• During its Canadian service, the MALTON transported bulk cargoes, supporting regional trade and commerce on the Great Lakes.

Decommissioning and Dismantling:

• By the early 1930s, advancements in steel-hulled ships rendered composite vessels like the MALTON obsolete.
• The vessel was decommissioned and dismantled at Port Dalhousie, Ontario, in 1935. The dismantling process marked the end of a nearly 50-year career on the Great Lakes.

Significant Incidents

FINAL DISPOSITION

• When: Broken up in 1935.
• Where: Port Dalhousie, Ontario, Lake Ontario.

Fate: The MALTON was dismantled, with its machinery and other valuable components salvaged. The hull and remaining materials were likely scuttled or left to deteriorate near the dismantling site.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The MALTON no longer exists as a vessel, having been dismantled in 1935. Its legacy remains significant in the context of Great Lakes maritime history.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”malton-e-m-peck-us-135983-c-130439″ title=”References & Links”]

The MALTON, originally the E.M. PECK, exemplifies a key period in the evolution of Great Lakes shipping. Its transition from a U.S. bulk carrier to a Canadian freighter and its ultimate dismantling in Port Dalhousie reflect broader changes in maritime trade and shipbuilding practices. Though no longer afloat, the vessel’s legacy remains a testament to the ingenuity and industriousness that defined Great Lakes maritime history.