Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Robert R. Rhodes
- Type: Bulk Freighter
- Year Built: 1887
- Builder: Thomas Quayle & Sons
- Dimensions: 246 ft (75 m); Beam 40 ft; Depth of hold 19.3 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 1,576.23 tons
- Location: Near Port Dalhousie, Ontario
- Official Number: 110732
- Original Owners: Robert A. Rhodes, John W. Moore, Atlas Commerce Company, Gilchrist Transportation Company, Franklin E. Hall
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Robert R. Rhodes was a wooden bulk freighter designed for transporting various bulk cargoes across the Great Lakes.
Description
Constructed in 1887, the Robert R. Rhodes measured 246 feet in length, with a beam of 40 feet and a depth of 19.3 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 1,576.23 tons and a net tonnage of 1,286.72 tons, capable of carrying 2,400 tons of cargo. The vessel was powered by a screw propeller and a for-and-aft compound engine with two cylinders, built by Globe Iron Works.
History
The Robert R. Rhodes was launched in April 1887 and primarily operated on the Great Lakes, transporting bulk cargo such as iron ore, grain, and coal. It changed ownership multiple times, including being owned by John W. Moore in 1900 and the Atlas Commerce Company in 1902. In 1912, it was sold to Canadian owners and registered under the Canadian number C131109.
Significant Incidents
- 1891 (August 26): Lost wheel between Sand Island and Devils Island, Lake Superior.
- 1894 (August): Ran ashore at South Fox Island due to smoke.
- 1895 (November): Broke rudder near Duluth, Minnesota, on Lake Superior.
- 1921 (October 24): Struck a Welland Canal gate and sank; later raised.
- 1922: Scuttled near Port Dalhousie, Ontario, Lake Ontario.
Final Disposition
After sinking in the Welland Canal on October 24, 1921, the Robert R. Rhodes was raised but deemed unsuitable for service. It was sold with plans to use it as a breakwater, which were never realized, leading to its abandonment. In 1922, it was scuttled near the rifle range east of Port Dalhousie, Ontario.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Robert R. Rhodes is submerged in Lake Ontario. Divers are encouraged to practice no-touch documentation methods and to respect the site, leaving only bubbles and taking only memories.
Resources & Links
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The Robert R. Rhodes serves as a reminder of the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes, having played a significant role in the transportation of essential goods for over three decades.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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