Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sand Merchant
- Type: Self-unloading sandsucker/dredge
- Year Built: 1927
- Builder: Collingwood Shipyards Ltd., Collingwood, Ontario, Canada
- Dimensions: Length 252 ft (77.0 m); Beam 43 ft (13.1 m); Depth 17 ft (5.2 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,981 GT
- Depth at Wreck Site: 19.8 m / 65 ft
- Location: Off Avon Point, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: 41° 34.428′ N, 81° 57.524′ W
- Official Number: Canadian O.N. 153433
- Original Owners: Interlake Transportation Co., Ltd.
- Number of Masts: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Sand Merchant was a steel-hulled self-unloading sandsucker dredge, designed for the industrial sand trade.
Description
The Sand Merchant was a steel-hulled self-unloading sandsucker dredge launched in 1927. Built with a trailing suction hopper dredge configuration, she used a suction pipe to collect sand from the lakebed, stored it in onboard hoppers, and discharged it via a self-unloading system. The vessel featured screw propulsion and operated with a coal-fired triple expansion engine.
History
From 1927 to 1936, the Sand Merchant served the industrial sand trade across the Great Lakes. She routinely transported sand from locations like Point Pelee to construction centers like Cleveland. On 17 October 1936, while fully loaded with sand and en route to Cleveland, she encountered gale-force winds and rough seas on Lake Erie.
Reportedly overwhelmed by water ingress in open holds and affected by her top-heavy deck gear, she capsized and sank approximately 13.5 miles from Cleveland. Nineteen of the 26 aboard, including a passenger, perished.
Significant Incidents
- 17 October 1936: The Sand Merchant capsized in a storm on Lake Erie, resulting in the loss of 19 lives.
Final Disposition
Declared a total loss. The vessel lies inverted in deep silt with the propeller and rudder facing northwest. The trench around the wreck likely formed upon impact. The debris field west of the hull includes the unloading boom, spotlight, and whistle.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site has been known since the time of loss. Divers and local researchers have surveyed and documented the site, though no formal date of discovery is noted. Hazardous conditions include unstable silt, trench collapse risk, and entanglement hazards.
Resources & Links
The Sand Merchant remains a significant wreck in Lake Erie, serving as a reminder of the dangers faced by vessels in severe weather conditions. Divers are advised to approach the site with caution due to the challenging conditions.