Queen of the West US 20584 – Shotline Diving

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

Name: Queen of the West
Type: Wooden Hull Steamer (Propeller)
Year Built: 1881
Builder: William Crosthwaite Shipyards, West Bay City, Michigan
Dimensions: Length: 215 ft (65.53 m); Beam: 32.5 ft (9.91 m); Depth of hold: 16.33 ft (4.97 m)
Registered Tonnage: 818.84
Depth at Wreck Site: 21.64 m / 71 ft
Location: 41° 50.750′ N, 81° 23.160′ W, approximately 13 kilometres (8 miles) north of Fairport Harbor, Ohio
Coordinates: 41° 50.750′ N, 81° 23.160′ W
Official Number: 20584
Original Owners: C.L. Hutchinson and partners, Cleveland, Ohio

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type: Wooden Hull Steamer (Propeller)

Description

The wreck lies on Lake Erie’s muddy bottom and has become a popular site for divers. Much of the wooden hull and timbers have deteriorated, leaving the midsection open. The bow is the most intact part, with 3-4 feet of standing structure on the port side. The stern is either missing or has collapsed to the bottom, with a debris field trailing behind.

Notable features include the engine, boiler, winches, chains, and bow windlass, which are still intact and visible. The midsection decking is gone, allowing a view into the hull’s interior. With good conditions, divers can clearly observe structural elements and remnants of cargo.

History

The Queen of the West was designed to transport bulk freight, including iron ore, coal, and grain, which were essential to the Great Lakes’ industrial economy. It was built in 1881 by William Crosthwaite Shipyards in West Bay City, Michigan.

Significant Incidents

Date of Loss: 21 August 1903
Cause: The oak hull sprung a major leak during heavy seas, and the pumps could not keep up with the incoming water. The ship succumbed to flooding and sank after a rescue operation.
Cargo at Loss: Iron ore, en route from Escanaba, Michigan, to Erie, Pennsylvania.

Final Disposition

The Queen of the West set out with a load of iron ore, stopping briefly in Cleveland to separate from an accompanying vessel, the Sage. After continuing its voyage toward Erie, Pennsylvania, the ship encountered worsening weather. Around 4 AM, the oak hull developed a serious leak. Despite the use of pumps, the crew was unable to control the flooding. A distress signal was sent out as the ship began to sink.

The crew attempted to launch a lifeboat, but it was overturned in the rough seas. Just as the situation seemed hopeless, the steamer Codorus arrived and rescued all aboard. The rescue was challenging, with some crew members injured during the transfer. The Chief Engineer’s two daughters narrowly avoided being swept overboard. Minutes after the crew was evacuated, the Queen of the West sank to the bottom of Lake Erie, settling in its current position.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is in a deteriorated state, with much of the wooden hull and timbers having decayed. The wreck is accessible for diving, with a planned mooring buoy placement by the Maritime Archaeological Survey Team (MAST) to protect the wreck and aid divers.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”queen-of-the-west-us-20584″ title=”References & Links”]

The Queen of the West remains a poignant relic of Great Lakes maritime history. The well-preserved machinery, visible cargo remnants, and the dramatic story of its sinking make it a valuable site for historical study and diving exploration. Its legacy serves as a reminder of the resilience and bravery of the sailors who worked these dangerous waters.

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.

Queen of the West (1881, Wooden Propeller Steamer)

QUEEN OF THE WEST (1881, Bulk Freighter)
Manitowoc, WI, c1898
Source: Milwaukee Public Library
Name of original file : 115876_116467_F.jp2

Identification & Site Information

Vessel Name: Queen of the West
Type of Ship: Wooden Hull Steamer (Propeller)
Year Built: 1881
Built By: William Crosthwaite Shipyards, West Bay City, Michigan
Official Wreck Number: 20584
Dimensions: Length: 65.53 metres (215 feet) Beam: 9.91 metres (32.5 feet) Depth: 4.97 metres (16.33 feet)
Gross Tonnage: 818.84
Net Tonnage: 625
Construction and Ownership
Hull Material: Oak (Wooden Hull)
Owner: C.L. Hutchinson and partners, Cleveland, Ohio
Purpose: Designed to transport bulk freight, including iron ore, coal, and grain, which were essential to the Great Lakes’ industrial economy.

Final Disposition

Date of Loss: 21 August 1903
Cause: The oak hull sprung a major leak during heavy seas, and the pumps could not keep up with the incoming water. The ship succumbed to flooding and sank after a rescue operation.
Wreck Location: 41° 50.750′ N, 81° 23.160′ W, approximately 13 kilometres (8 miles) north of Fairport Harbor, Ohio, in Lake Erie.
Depth: 21.64 metres (71 feet)
Cargo at Loss: Iron ore, en route from Escanaba, Michigan, to Erie, Pennsylvania.

Circumstances of Sinking

The Queen of the West set out with a load of iron ore, stopping briefly in Cleveland to separate from an accompanying vessel, the Sage. After continuing its voyage toward Erie, Pennsylvania, the ship encountered worsening weather.

Leak Discovery: Around 4 AM, the oak hull developed a serious leak. Despite the use of pumps, the crew was unable to control the flooding.

Distress Signal: A distress signal was sent out as the ship began to sink.

Rescue Efforts: The crew attempted to launch a lifeboat, but it was overturned in the rough seas. Just as the situation seemed hopeless, the steamer Codorus arrived and rescued all aboard. The rescue was challenging, with some crew members injured during the transfer. The Chief Engineer’s two daughters narrowly avoided being swept overboard.

Final Sinking: Minutes after the crew was evacuated, the Queen of the West sank to the bottom of Lake Erie, settling in its current position.

Wreck Description

The wreck lies on Lake Erie’s muddy bottom and has become a popular site for divers.

Condition: Much of the wooden hull and timbers have deteriorated, leaving the midsection open. The bow is the most intact part, with 3-4 feet of standing structure on the port side. The stern is either missing or has collapsed to the bottom, with a debris field trailing behind.

Notable Features: The engine, boiler, winches, chains, and bow windlass are still intact and visible. the midsection decking is gone, allowing a view into the hull’s interior.

Visibility: With good conditions, divers can clearly observe structural elements and remnants of cargo.

Diving Notes

Depth: The wreck sits at 71 feet (21.64 metres), making it suitable for advanced divers.

Mooring Buoy: Placement of a mooring buoy by the Maritime Archaeological Survey Team (MAST) is planned to protect the wreck and aid divers.

Significance

The Queen of the West is a quintessential example of wooden propeller steamers that powered Great Lakes commerce during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It showcases the risks faced by these vessels in harsh weather and highlights the importance of the region’s iron ore trade.

The rescue of the crew by the Codorus was a testament to the camaraderie among mariners, as such life-saving efforts were often fraught with danger in stormy conditions.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Queen of the West remains a poignant relic of Great Lakes maritime history. The well-preserved machinery, visible cargo remnants, and the dramatic story of its sinking make it a valuable site for historical study and diving exploration. Its legacy serves as a reminder of the resilience and bravery of the sailors who worked these dangerous waters.

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