Mecosta – Lake Erie Freighter Shipwreck (1922)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Mecosta
• Type: Bulk Propeller (later converted to a barge)
• Year Built: 1888
• Builder:
• Dimensions: Length 281.7 ft (85.8 m); Beam 40.6 ft (12.4 m); Depth of hold 20 ft (6.1 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 1,776 tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 15 m / 50 ft
• Location: North Bay Village, Lake Erie, near Cleveland, Ohio
• Coordinates: 41° 31.850′ N, 81° 53.001′ W
• Original Owners: Whitney Transportation Company, Gilchrist Transportation Company, General Transit Company
• Number of Masts: Two masts (after conversion to screw steamer)

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Type: Bulk Propeller (later converted to a barge)

Description

The MECOSTA was a wooden bulk propeller ship constructed in 1888 to serve the bustling trade routes of the Great Lakes, particularly transporting ore and grain. It featured a robust design with a length of 281.7 feet, a beam of 40.6 feet, and a depth of 20 feet. The ship had a gross tonnage of 1,776 tons. The vessel underwent significant modifications during its operational life, including a conversion to a screw steamer with two masts in 1896 and later to a barge in 1922. These adaptations reflect its evolving role in the dynamic shipping industry of the Great Lakes.

History

Key Events in MECOSTA’s Service Life:

• March 10, 1888: Launched as a bulk propeller ship, entering service in the Duluth ore and grain trade.
• 1890: Ownership transferred to the Whitney Transportation Company, operating primarily out of Michigan.
• March 19, 1896: Converted to a screw steamer with two masts, enhancing versatility and cargo handling.
• May 13, 1898: Damaged in a collision with the steamer OLYMPIA in Port Huron, Michigan.
• June 7, 1901: Acquired by the Gilchrist Transportation Company and later transferred to the General Transit Company in 1916.
• 1922: Converted to a barge, with its engine and boiler removed in Lorain, Ohio.
• October 29, 1922: The MECOSTA foundered near Cleveland, Ohio, becoming a total loss. No fatalities were reported among the four crew members.

Significant Incidents

The vessel’s varied career spanned over three decades, reflecting the evolution of shipping practices and the transition of aging vessels into barges to extend their utility.

Final Disposition

The MECOSTA lies upright at a depth of 50 feet in Lake Erie, near North Bay Village. Its transformation into a barge shortly before its sinking resulted in significant structural changes, including the removal of critical machinery like the engine and boiler. Despite this, much of the wreck remains intact, offering valuable insights into the vessel’s construction and modifications.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the MECOSTA is accessible at a depth of 50 feet, making it suitable for recreational divers with moderate experience. Key features include:

• The intact barge structure, showcasing the design transition from powered vessels to barges.
• A partially preserved hull, reflecting the vessel’s wooden construction.

The site provides a unique opportunity to study the vessel’s history and its role in the Great Lakes shipping industry.

Resources & Links

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The MECOSTA encapsulates a pivotal period in Great Lakes maritime history, transitioning from a bulk propeller ship to a barge before meeting its fate in 1922. Its wreck near Cleveland, Ohio, serves as a tangible link to the industrial growth and evolving shipping practices of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The site is a historically significant underwater artifact, offering opportunities for exploration and study into the life cycle of Great Lakes vessels.