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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →