Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Merida (1893)

Explore the wreck of the Merida, a steel bulk freighter lost during the Black Friday Storm in 1916, now lying at 85 feet in Lake Erie.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Merida
  • Type: Steel Bulk Freighter
  • Year Built: 1893
  • Builder: F.W. Wheeler, West Bay City, Michigan
  • Dimensions: 360 ft (110 m); Beam: 45 ft; Depth of hold: 20.66 ft
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 27 m / 85 ft
  • Location: Approximately off Wheatley, Ontario
  • Original Owners: Whitney Transportation Co. and others

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Merida was a steel bulk freighter built in 1893 by F.W. Wheeler in West Bay City, Michigan. Designed for the coal, ore, and grain trade, the vessel featured two decks and measured 360 feet in length, 45 feet in beam, and 20.66 feet in depth. It was powered by a triple expansion engine manufactured by Frontier Iron Works, with three Scotch boilers generating 1700 horsepower. The freighter was built robustly to handle the heavy and bulk cargoes typical of Great Lakes commerce during that era.

Description

The Merida met its fate on October 20, 1916, during the infamous “Black Friday Storm” on Lake Erie. While carrying a cargo of iron ore from Fort William, Ontario, to Buffalo, New York, the ship was wrecked off Wheatley, Ontario. The storm was one of the deadliest in Great Lakes history, claiming the lives of 23 crew members aboard the Merida. The wreck now lies scattered on the lakebed at a depth of 85 feet, a solemn reminder of the perilous conditions that mariners faced on the Great Lakes.

History

Launched in May 1893, the Merida was initially owned by Whitney Transportation Co. of Detroit, Michigan, and enrolled there in June of the same year. The vessel had a tumultuous history, including several groundings, collisions, and significant damage throughout its operational life. In October 1893, the Merida sustained heavy damage near St. Mary’s Island, and in May 1896, its engine was wrecked in Lake Huron, requiring extensive repairs.
Ownership of the Merida changed several times, with notable transactions occurring in 1901, 1903, 1913, and 1915. The ship underwent a significant rebuild in 1904, which included moving the pilot house forward and relocating machinery aft. These modifications increased the vessel’s dimensions and tonnage.
Throughout its career, the Merida was involved in multiple collisions, including incidents in Duluth, Minnesota, and Buffalo, New York. Despite these challenges, the freighter continued to serve until its final, tragic voyage in October 1916.

Significant Incidents

  • October 1893: Sustained heavy damage near St. Mary’s Island.
  • May 1896: Engine wrecked in Lake Huron, requiring extensive repairs.
  • Multiple collisions throughout operational life, including incidents in Duluth, Minnesota, and Buffalo, New York.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Merida lies in 85 feet of water off the coast of Erieau, Lake Erie. The site includes scattered remains of the freighter, which are accessible to experienced divers. Visibility and conditions in Lake Erie can vary, making it important to check local conditions before planning a dive.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Merida lies in 85 feet of water off the coast of Erieau, Lake Erie. The site includes scattered remains of the freighter, which are accessible to experienced divers. Visibility and conditions in Lake Erie can vary, making it important to check local conditions before planning a dive.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The Merida’s story is a poignant chapter in the history of Great Lakes shipping, illustrating the challenges and dangers faced by freighters operating in these waters. The “Black Friday Storm” of 1916 not only ended the Merida’s career but also highlighted the unpredictable and often treacherous nature of Great Lakes navigation. Today, the wreck serves as both a historical artifact and a memorial to the lives lost in the disaster.