Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: S.S. Ridgetown (formerly S.S. William E. Corey)
- Type: Steel-Hulled Lake Freighter
- Year Built: 1905
- Builder: Chicago Shipbuilding Company, Chicago, Illinois
- Dimensions: Length: 175.5 metres (576 feet); Beam: 17.4 metres (57 feet); Depth: 10.7 metres (35 feet)
- Registered Tonnage: Approx. 8,000 gross Tonnage
- Location: Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario
- Original Owners: Pittsburgh Steamship Company; Upper Lakes Shipping Limited
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The S.S. Ridgetown, originally known as the S.S. William E. Corey, is classified as a steel-hulled lake freighter, designed for the transportation of bulk goods across the Great Lakes.
Description
Launched on March 24, 1905, the S.S. William E. Corey was built as the flagship of the Pittsburgh Steamship Company. It was constructed at a cost of $475,000, which is equivalent to approximately $13.5 million in 2019 dollars. The vessel was designed to carry coal, iron ore, and grain, showcasing the industrial capabilities of the early 20th century.
History
Early Career as S.S. William E. Corey: The William E. Corey began its service shortly after launch but faced significant challenges. Within three months, it was shipwrecked during the Mataafa Storm in November 1905, one of the deadliest storms in Great Lakes history. The vessel sustained $100,000 in damage but was salvaged and returned to service.
Ownership Changes: In 1963, the ship was sold to a British company and renamed the S.S. Ridgetown. It was sold again in 1965 to Upper Lakes Shipping Limited, a Canadian company, and remained operational until its retirement in 1969.
Significant Incidents
- Shipwrecked during the Mataafa Storm in November 1905, sustaining $100,000 in damage.
Final Disposition
After retirement, the Ridgetown was repurposed as a breakwall during the construction of the Ontario Hydro Power Plant in Nanticoke, Ontario, from 1970 to 1973. In late 1973, it was relocated to Port Credit, Ontario, where it was partially sunk and filled with tons of rock to secure it as a permanent breakwall. Its outline remains visible above the water, serving as a local landmark.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The S.S. Ridgetown is now a visible reminder of Port Credit’s maritime history, with its steel structure embedded in the shoreline. It has become a point of interest for locals, tourists, and maritime enthusiasts.
Resources & Links
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The S.S. Ridgetown, formerly the S.S. William E. Corey, represents the resilience and adaptability of Great Lakes vessels. Its transformation from a flagship freighter to a breakwall highlights the enduring legacy of Great Lakes shipping and the ingenuity of those who sailed these waters.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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