Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Monrovia
- Type: Freighter
- Year Built: 1943
- Builder: Lithgows Ltd., Port Glasgow, Scotland
- Dimensions: Length: 432 ft 7 in (131.85 m); Beam: 56 ft 2 in (17.12 m); Depth: 34 ft 2 in (10.41 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 7,067 GRT (approx. 6,408 metric tonnes)
- Depth at Wreck Site: 43 m / 140 ft
- Location: Lake Huron, approximately 11 nautical miles north of Thunder Bay Island, Michigan, USA
- Coordinates: 44°35'25"N 82°33'12"W
- Original Owners: Eastern Shipping Corporation, Monrovia, Liberia
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Monrovia was a steel-hulled ocean freighter, originally constructed as a World War II Liberty ship. These vessels were designed for rapid construction and deployment during the war, primarily to transport cargo and troops. Post-war, many were sold into commercial service, as was the case with the Monrovia.
Description
Built in 1943 by Lithgows Ltd. in Port Glasgow, Scotland, the vessel was initially named Empire Falstaff and served under the British Ministry of War Transport. She was a standard Liberty ship design, featuring a riveted steel hull and powered by a triple expansion steam engine driving a single screw propeller. Her dimensions were 432 feet 7 inches (131.85 meters) in length, 56 feet 2 inches (17.12 meters) in beam, and 34 feet 2 inches (10.41 meters) in depth, with a draught of 26 feet 3 inches (8.00 meters). She was assessed at 7,067 gross registered tons (approx. 6,408 metric tonnes).
History
After serving in various capacities during World War II, including participation in convoys across the Atlantic and Mediterranean, the vessel underwent several ownership and name changes:
- 1945: Transferred to the French Government and renamed Commandant Mantelet.
- 1950: Sold into merchant service and renamed Commandant Le Bilboul.
- 1954: Sold to the Eastern Shipping Corporation of Liberia and renamed Monrovia.
On June 25, 1959, while en route from Antwerp, Belgium, to Chicago, Illinois, with a cargo of rolled steel and steel plates, the Monrovia collided with the Canadian bulk freighter Royalton in dense fog approximately 11 nautical miles north of Thunder Bay Island in Lake Huron. The collision occurred around 1:57 p.m. Central Daylight Saving Time. Despite efforts to avoid the collision, including course changes and speed reductions, the Royalton‘s bow struck the Monrovia‘s port side. The crew of the Monrovia evacuated the vessel and were rescued by the steamer Norman W. Foy. The Monrovia sank just after midnight on June 26, 1959.
Significant Incidents
- Collision with the Canadian bulk freighter Royalton in dense fog on June 25, 1959.
Final Disposition
The Monrovia now rests upright in 140 feet (43 meters) of water in Lake Huron. The wreck is largely intact, with collision damage evident on the port side. The site is within the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which protects a significant collection of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Monrovia was located and has been documented by the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. A dive conducted in May 2011 by John McCord and a team from the University of North Carolina Coastal Studies Institute reported excellent visibility and noted the wreck’s upright and intact condition.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”monrovia-empire-falstaff-commandant-mantelet-commandant-le-bilboul” title=”References & Links”]
The sinking of the Monrovia in 1959 serves as a poignant reminder of the perils of maritime navigation, even in the age of advanced technology. Despite improved charts, navigational aids, and communication systems, the dense fog on Lake Huron led to a tragic collision. The wreck now serves as an underwater museum, offering insights into mid-20th-century shipbuilding and the ever-present risks faced by mariners.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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