Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Protection
- Type: Wooden bulk freight propeller steamer
- Year Built: 1888
- Builder:
- Dimensions: 112 ft (34.1 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Off Cedar Point, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Official Number: Not listed
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden bulk freight propeller steamer
Description
The Protection was a wooden-hulled, propeller-driven freight steamer measuring 112 feet (34.1 metres) in length. Designed for bulk cargo transport, she was a modest-sized vessel typical of late 19th-century Great Lakes freighters. Her propulsion system consisted of a steam engine driving a single screw propeller, a common configuration for vessels of her class and era.
History
Constructed in 1888, the Protection served for 35 years on the Great Lakes, primarily engaged in the transportation of bulk goods. While specific details of her operational history are scarce, vessels of her type commonly carried commodities such as coal, grain, and lumber between ports along Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes. Her service life spanned a period of significant industrial growth in the region, during which maritime transport was a critical component of commerce.
Significant Incidents
On November 3, 1923, the Protection encountered a severe storm while navigating Lake Erie near Cedar Point, Ohio. The vessel filled with water and sank, resulting in the tragic loss of six crew members. The exact circumstances leading to her sinking are not extensively documented, but the incident underscores the perils faced by Great Lakes shipping during the era, particularly the sudden and violent storms that could arise in the fall months.
Final Disposition
As of the available information, the wreck of the Protection has not been located.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no current Notices to Mariners or advisories regarding obstructions related to the Protection wreck site.
Resources & Links
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The sinking of the Protection serves as a somber reminder of the hazards of maritime transport on the Great Lakes in the early 20th century. Despite advancements in ship design and weather forecasting, vessels remained vulnerable to the region’s notorious storms. The loss of the Protection and her crew contributes to the rich, albeit tragic, tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history.
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