Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Rome (1879)

Explore the remains of the Rome, a wooden-hulled freighter lost to fire in 1909, now part of a breakwater near Lime Island.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Rome
  • Type: Bulk Freighter
  • Year Built: 1879
  • Builder: T. Quayle & Sons, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Dimensions: 265 ft (80.8 m) length × 37 ft (11.3 m) beam × 16 ft (4.9 m) depth
  • Registered Tonnage: 2044 gross tons, 1164 net tons
  • Location: Lime Island coal dock, St. Mary’s River, near Raber, Michigan
  • Official Number: Not documented
  • Original Owners: Not specified
  • Number of Masts: Not specified

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Rome was a wooden-hulled propeller-driven bulk freighter, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These ships were designed to transport bulk commodities such as coal, iron ore, and grain across the Great Lakes.

Description

Constructed in 1879 by T. Quayle & Sons in Cleveland, Ohio, the Rome measured 265 feet (80.8 meters) in length, with a beam of 37 feet (11.3 meters) and a depth of 16 feet (4.9 meters). The vessel had a gross tonnage of 2044 and a net tonnage of 1164. As a bulk freighter, it was built to carry large quantities of cargo efficiently across the Great Lakes.

History

On November 17, 1909, the Rome was moored at the Lime Island coal dock on the St. Mary’s River, awaiting the resolution of a traffic jam at the Soo Locks. While lying at the dock, the vessel caught fire under circumstances not detailed in the available sources. The fire quickly engulfed the ship, leading to its total destruction. The dock and a nearby pile of lumber were also consumed by the flames. Fortunately, all crew members survived the incident.

Significant Incidents

  • November 17, 1909: The Rome caught fire while moored at Lime Island coal dock, resulting in total loss of the vessel.

Final Disposition

The Rome was declared a total loss following the fire. The remains of the vessel were left at the site and eventually became part of a breakwater structure.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Rome remains at the site of its destruction near Lime Island. The remains are near the surface and have become integrated into the harbor’s breakwater.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”rome-1879″ title=”References & Links”]

The destruction of the Rome in 1909 serves as a reminder of the hazards faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes, particularly the risks associated with onboard fires. The incident underscores the importance of safety measures and the challenges of emergency response during that era. The remains of the Rome continue to be a part of the maritime landscape, integrated into the harbor’s breakwater near Lime Island.

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.

  • Name: Rome
  • Former Names: None known
  • Official Number: Not documented
  • Date Built: 1879
  • Builder: T. Quayle & Sons, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Dimensions: 265 ft (80.8 m) length × 37 ft (11.3 m) beam × 16 ft (4.9 m) depth
  • Tonnage: 2044 gross tons, 1164 net tons
  • Date Lost: November 17, 1909
  • Place of Loss: Lime Island coal dock, St. Mary’s River, near Raber, Michigan
  • Lake: Huron
  • Type of Loss: Fire
  • Cargo: Hay and cement
  • Loss of Life: None
  • Home Port: Not specified(iStockPhoto.com, Midland Daily News, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Lowell’s First Look)

Vessel Type

The Rome was a wooden-hulled propeller-driven bulk freighter, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These ships were designed to transport bulk commodities such as coal, iron ore, and grain across the Great Lakes.

Description(9GAG)

Constructed in 1879 by T. Quayle & Sons in Cleveland, Ohio, the Rome measured 265 feet (80.8 meters) in length, with a beam of 37 feet (11.3 meters) and a depth of 16 feet (4.9 meters). The vessel had a gross tonnage of 2044 and a net tonnage of 1164. As a bulk freighter, it was built to carry large quantities of cargo efficiently across the Great Lakes.(Midland Daily News, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

History(9GAG)

On November 17, 1909, the Rome was moored at the Lime Island coal dock on the St. Mary’s River, awaiting the resolution of a traffic jam at the Soo Locks. While lying at the dock, the vessel caught fire under circumstances not detailed in the available sources. The fire quickly engulfed the ship, leading to its total destruction. The dock and a nearby pile of lumber were also consumed by the flames. Fortunately, all crew members survived the incident. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wrecksite)

Final Disposition

The Rome was declared a total loss following the fire. The remains of the vessel were left at the site and eventually became part of a breakwater structure. (Lowell’s First Look)

Located By & Date Found

The wreck of the Rome remains at the site of its destruction near Lime Island. The remains are near the surface and have become integrated into the harbor’s breakwater. (Michigan.gov)

Notmars & Advisories

No specific Notices to Mariners (Notmars) or advisories related to the wreck of the Rome have been identified. However, mariners operating in the vicinity of Lime Island should be aware of submerged hazards and consult current nautical charts.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The destruction of the Rome in 1909 serves as a reminder of the hazards faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes, particularly the risks associated with onboard fires. The incident underscores the importance of safety measures and the challenges of emergency response during that era. The remains of the Rome continue to be a part of the maritime landscape, integrated into the harbor’s breakwater near Lime Island.

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