Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Philadelphia US 20142

Explore the wreck of the Philadelphia, an early iron-hulled freighter that sank in 1893 after a tragic collision in Lake Huron.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Philadelphia
  • Type: Package Freighter
  • Year Built: 1868
  • Builder: David Bell, Buffalo, NY
  • Dimensions: Length: 236 ft (71.93 m); Beam: 34.3 ft (10.45 m); Depth of hold: 14 ft (4.27 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 1,436.6
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 38 m / 124 ft
  • Location: 7 miles northeast of Point Aux Barques, Michigan
  • Official Number: 20142
  • Original Owners: J.C. & E.T. Evans Co., Buffalo, NY

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Package Freighter (designed for carrying general merchandise and smaller cargoes).

Description

The Philadelphia was an iron-hulled package freighter, notable for being the second metal freighter built on the Great Lakes. It was designed to carry general merchandise and smaller cargoes.

History

1868: Built and enrolled in Buffalo, NY. As the second metal-hulled freighter on the Great Lakes, it marked a significant step in maritime innovation. 1873, July 4: Struck a rock at the head of Lake Erie and sank in 16 feet of water. Refloated July 19. 1875: Repaired and completely overhauled. 1884, April 6: Underwent a complete rebuild, including the installation of two steel boilers. 1891, November 30: Sank in the Detroit River. 1892, April 7: Repaired at Springwells Dry Dock, Detroit, including hull and machinery overhauls. The bottom was sheathed with 4-inch oak planking, end to end. 1893, May 15: Grounded near Two Harbors, Minnesota, suffering a hole in her bow. Repaired again.

Significant Incidents

  • November 7, 1893: The Philadelphia collided with the propeller freighter Albany during poor visibility, resulting in the sinking of the vessel.

Final Disposition

The Philadelphia sank approximately 38 metres (124 feet) deep in Lake Huron. It was discovered in 1973 by renowned Great Lakes wreck hunter John Steele.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Philadelphia serves as a significant historical site, representing the transition from wooden vessels to iron-hulled ships in the Great Lakes. It remains a point of interest for divers and historians alike.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”philadelphia-us-20142″ title=”References & Links”]

The collision between the ALBANY and PHILADELPHIA is a poignant reminder of the perils faced by early mariners on the Great Lakes. Their loss remains a subject of intrigue for historians and divers, offering insight into the challenges of 19th-century maritime commerce. The wrecks rest as silent witnesses to one of Lake Huron’s most tragic shipping disasters.

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.

Philadelphia (1868, Package Freighter)

PHILADELPHIA (1868, Package Freighter)
Erie, PA freight docks
Source: Gordon Wendt
Name of original file : 109944_110012_F.jp2

Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name: Philadelphia
  • Year Built: 1868
  • Official Number: 20142
  • Vessel Type: Package Freighter (designed for carrying general merchandise and smaller cargoes).
  • Hull Material: Iron (second metal freighter built on the Great Lakes).
  • Builder: David Bell, Buffalo, NY
  • Original Owner: J.C. & E.T. Evans Co., Buffalo, NY
  • Specifications Length: 71.93 metres (236 feet) Beam: 10.45 metres (34.3 feet) Depth: 4.27 metres (14 feet)
  • Gross Tonnage: 1,436.6
  • Net Tonnage: 1,230.15
  • Cargo Capacity: 1,600 tons
  • Propulsion & Power Propulsion: Single screw propeller
  • Engine Type: Low-pressure, 400 horsepower
  • Cylinders: 2
  • Boilers: 1, built by David Bell in Buffalo
  • Propeller: 11-foot diameter
  • Machinery Notes: Engine and boiler by Shepard Iron Works, Buffalo, NY.

Service History

1868: Built and enrolled in Buffalo, NY. As the second metal-hulled freighter on the Great Lakes, it marked a significant step in maritime innovation. 1873, July 4: Struck a rock at the head of Lake Erie and sank in 16 feet of water. Refloated July 19. 1875: Repaired and completely overhauled.1884, April 6: Underwent a complete rebuild, including the installation of two steel boilers. 1891, November 30: Sank in the Detroit River. 1892, April 7: Repaired at Springwells Dry Dock, Detroit, including hull and machinery overhauls. The bottom was sheathed with 4-inch oak planking, end to end. 1893, May 15: Grounded near Two Harbors, Minnesota, suffering a hole in her bow. Repaired again.

Final Voyage & Sinking

  • Date: November 7, 1893
  • Location: 7 miles northeast of Point Aux Barques, Michigan, in Lake Huron.
  • Cause: A collision with the propeller freighter Albany during poor visibility.
  • Final Cargo: Coal and other merchandise.
  • Casualties: Tragically, 24 lives were lost, including members of both the Philadelphia and Albany crews.

Wreck Details

Final Depth: Approximately 38 metres (124 feet).

Wreck Discovery: Located in 1973 by John Steele, a renowned Great Lakes wreck hunter.

Significance

The Philadelphia was one of the earliest iron-hulled freighters on the Great Lakes, representing the transition from wooden vessels to more durable metal construction. Its multiple sinkings, repairs, and eventual loss highlight the risks faced by 19th-century Great Lakes shipping, particularly in an era when storms, navigation challenges, and collisions were common.

Resources & Links

For additional research and details about the Philadelphia:

3D Model – Philadelphia

Philadelphia by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

Conclusion

The collision between the ALBANY and PHILADELPHIA is a poignant reminder of the perils faced by early mariners on the Great Lakes. Their loss remains a subject of intrigue for historians and divers, offering insight into the challenges of 19th-century maritime commerce. The wrecks rest as silent witnesses to one of Lake Huron’s most tragic shipping disasters.

The steamer ALBANY and the steamer PHILADELPHIA collided on November 7, 1893, off Point Aux Barques in Lake Huron. The Albany, a steel vessel built in 1884 by the Detroit Dry-Dock Company, was carrying grain from Chicago and Milwaukee to Buffalo. The Philadelphia, a smaller iron vessel built in 1867 by David Bell, was loaded with coal and general merchandise and was traveling from Buffalo to an unspecified destination. albany-u106306 1893-11-07 07:48:00