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
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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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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