Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Monrovia (Empire Falstaff, Commandant Mantelet, Commandant Le Bilboul)

Explore the wreck of the Monrovia, a steel-hulled freighter that sank in 1959 after a collision in Lake Huron. The site offers excellent visibility and a largely intact structure.

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.

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.

  • Name: Monrovia
  • Former Names: Empire Falstaff (1943–1945), Commandant Mantelet (1945–1950), Commandant Le Bilboul (1950–1954)
  • Official Registration Number: Not specified
  • Date Built & Launched: Launched on April 8, 1943; completed in May 1943
  • Builder: Lithgows Ltd., Port Glasgow, Scotland
  • Construction: Riveted steel hull
  • Tonnage: 7,067 GRT (approx. 6,408 metric tonnes)
  • 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); Draught: 26 ft 3 in (8.00 m)
  • Date Lost: June 26, 1959
  • Location of Loss: Lake Huron, approximately 11 nautical miles (20 km) north of Thunder Bay Island, Michigan, USA
  • Coordinates: 44°35′25″N 82°33′12″W
  • Cargo at Time of Loss: Rolled steel and steel plates
  • Cause of Loss: Collision with the Canadian bulk freighter Royalton in dense fog
  • Crew: 29; all survived
  • Final Disposition: Sank upright in 140 feet (43 m) of water; wreck largely intact
  • Owner at Time of Loss: Eastern Shipping Corporation, Monrovia, Liberia
  • Sources: NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, The Alpena News(Wikipedia, Wikipedia, thealpenanews.com, sstmike.weebly.com, NOAA Ocean Exploration, United States Coast Guard)

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.(NOAA Ocean Exploration)

Description(Alamy)

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).(sstmike.weebly.com, Wikipedia)

History(sstmike.weebly.com)

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:(Wikipedia)

  • 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.(Wikipedia, sstmike.weebly.com)

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.(NOAA Ocean Exploration, thealpenanews.com)

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.(sstmike.weebly.com, thunderbay.noaa.gov)

Located By & Date Found

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.(thealpenanews.com)

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to the Monrovia. However, divers should consult the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary for guidelines and regulations before planning a dive to the site.

Resources & Links(NOAA Ocean Exploration)

Conclusion(Wikipedia)

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.(thunderbay.noaa.gov)

Suggested Keywords & Categories(Wikipedia)

Keywords: Monrovia, Empire Falstaff, Commandant Mantelet, Commandant Le Bilboul, Lake Huron shipwreck, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, 1959 collision, Royalton, Great Lakes maritime history(Wikipedia)

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, Great Lakes Maritime History, 20th-Century Vessels, Steel Freighters

Glossary Terms:

  • Liberty Ship: A class of cargo ship built in the United States during World War II for the purpose of transporting war materials.
  • Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT): A ship’s total internal volume expressed in “register tons,” each of which is equal to 100 cubic feet.
  • Triple Expansion Steam Engine: A type of steam engine that expands steam in three stages, improving efficiency over earlier designs.(Wikipedia)
  • Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: A federally designated area in Lake Huron that protects a significant collection of shipwrecks and maritime heritage resources.
  • NOTMARs (Notices to Mariners): Official communications issued to inform mariners of important matters affecting navigational safety.
monrovia-empire-falstaff-commandant-mantelet-commandant-le-bilboul 1959-06-26 20:15:00