Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: ORION (Later known as WEESEE)
- Type: Wooden Steam Screw Propeller
- Year Built: 1900
- Builder: Green Bay Vessel Company
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 2,283 gross tons; 1,590 net tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 7 m / 22 ft
- Location: Near Middle Sister Island, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: Main Wreck Site: 41° 50.592′ N, 82° 59.567′ W; Prop Shaft: 41° 50.609′ N, 82° 59.850′ W
- Official Number: C 138574
- Original Owners: Green Bay Vessel Company; Border Transit Co.; Massey & Gatfield
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The ORION, later renamed WEESEE, was a robust wooden steam screw vessel launched in October 1900 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Designed with a durable steel-arched and strapped hull, the vessel was built for cargo transportation, boasting a gross tonnage of 2,283 and a net tonnage of 1,590 tons. Its innovative fore-and-aft compound engines and 130 psi boiler pressure allowed for efficient freight movement across the Great Lakes.
Description
The wreckage lies in 22 feet of water, with remains partially buried and scattered. The prop shaft is a prominent feature accessible to divers. Due to its shallow depth, the site is suitable for exploration, but the fire’s destruction has left much of the vessel unrecognizable. Visibility may vary depending on lake conditions.
History
- 1900: Launched as ORION by Capt. P.F. Thrall and O.L. Harder for the Green Bay Vessel Company.
- 1918: Renamed WEESEE after being sold to Canadian owners.
- 1920: Registered under the number C 138574, operated by Border Transit Co.
- 1923: Continued operations under Massey & Gatfield.
Significant Incidents
On November 11, 1923, a devastating fire engulfed the WEESEE on Lake Erie near Middle Sister Island. Despite efforts, the fire consumed the vessel, leaving scattered remains on the lakebed. The prop shaft, a key feature of the wreckage, provides a significant marker for the site.
Final Disposition
The destruction of the WEESEE (formerly ORION) by fire in 1923 highlights the dangers faced by Great Lakes vessels. The scattered wreck near Middle Sister Island serves as a historical site and a poignant reminder of the perils of early 20th-century maritime commerce.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreckage lies in 22 feet of water, with remains partially buried and scattered. The prop shaft is a prominent feature accessible to divers. Due to its shallow depth, the site is suitable for exploration, but the fire’s destruction has left much of the vessel unrecognizable. Visibility may vary depending on lake conditions.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”orion-weesee-c-138574″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As you explore the wreck of the WEESEE, remember to respect the site and its history. Leave only bubbles, take only memories, and be the diver that makes a difference by removing any garbage you may find.
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.
Identification & Site Information
Wreck Name ORION (Later known as WEESEE)
- Type Wooden Steam Screw Propeller
- Date of Incident November 11, 1923
- Location Near Middle Sister Island, Lake Erie
- Coordinates Main Wreck Site: 41° 50.592′ N, 82° 59.567′ W
- Prop Shaft: 41° 50.609′ N, 82° 59.850′ W
- Depth 22 feet (7 meters)
- Condition Destroyed by fire; remains scattered on the lakebed
Vessel Type Description
The ORION, later renamed WEESEE, was a robust wooden steam screw vessel launched in October 1900 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Designed with a durable steel-arched and strapped hull, the vessel was built for cargo transportation, boasting a gross tonnage of 2,283 and a net tonnage of 1,590 tons. Its innovative fore-and-aft compound engines and 130 psi boiler pressure allowed for efficient freight movement across the Great Lakes.
History
- 1900: Launched as ORION by Capt. P.F. Thrall and O.L. Harder for the Green Bay Vessel Company.
- 1918: Renamed WEESEE after being sold to Canadian owners.
- 1920: Registered under the number C 138574, operated by Border Transit Co.
- 1923: Continued operations under Massey & Gatfield.
Final Disposition
On November 11, 1923, a devastating fire engulfed the WEESEE on Lake Erie near Middle Sister Island. Despite efforts, the fire consumed the vessel, leaving scattered remains on the lakebed. The prop shaft, a key feature of the wreckage, provides a significant marker for the site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreckage lies in 22 feet of water, with remains partially buried and scattered. The prop shaft is a prominent feature accessible to divers. Due to its shallow depth, the site is suitable for exploration, but the fire’s destruction has left much of the vessel unrecognizable. Visibility may vary depending on lake conditions.
Resources & Links
- Primary Sources: Vessel registration records, historical accounts, incident reports.
- Great Lakes Shipwrecks
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
Conclusion
The destruction of the WEESEE (formerly ORION) by fire in 1923 highlights the dangers faced by Great Lakes vessels. The scattered wreck near Middle Sister Island serves as a historical site and a poignant reminder of the perils of early 20th-century maritime commerce.
Tags
#GreatLakes #Shipwrecks #LakeErie #ORION #WEESEE #MaritimeHistory #SteamScrew #UnderwaterExploration
The Wesee lays scattered on the rocks south of Middle Sister. The keel, large frame members and metal parts remain. She rises about 4 foot off the bottom. Her engine and boilers were removed. The propeller and shaft lie to the west of the main wreckage about 100 feet away. This vessel is in a remote part of the lake and not frequently visited. Be careful of the shallow bottom around Middle Sister Island. wesee-c138574 1923-11-11 07:48:00