Sir Trevor Dawson (William C. Moreland)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: William C. Moreland (later renamed Sir Trevor Dawson)
• Type: Steamer (Freighter)
• Year Built: September 1910
• Builder: Jones & Laughlin, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: null
• Location: Eagle River Reef, Lake Superior, near Eagle River, Michigan
• Coordinates: 47° 25.047′ N 088° 19.421′ W
• Official Number: null
• Original Owners: Jones & Laughlin, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Number of Masts: null

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The William C. Moreland was a state-of-the-art freighter when launched in September 1910, designed for heavy cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Her robust construction and modern design symbolized the peak of early 20th-century Great Lakes shipbuilding. However, the perilous waters and notorious reefs of Lake Superior proved formidable even for such advanced vessels.

Description

The William C. Moreland was a state-of-the-art freighter when launched in September 1910, designed for heavy cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Her robust construction and modern design symbolized the peak of early 20th-century Great Lakes shipbuilding. However, the perilous waters and notorious reefs of Lake Superior proved formidable even for such advanced vessels.

History

On October 18, 1910, the William C. Moreland struck the Eagle River Reef while carrying 23 crew members. The grounding left the vessel stranded, and salvage efforts were hampered by the onset of harsh winter weather. The unforgiving conditions caused the Moreland to break into three parts, rendering her a total loss at the time. Despite the disaster, all crew members managed to escape in small boats, ensuring no lives were lost.

Significant Incidents

• The steamer J.H. Pickands (1894)
• The steamer Colorado (1896)
• The tug Fern, lost during salvage operations on the reef

Final Disposition

In 1911, Captain James Reid of the Reid Wrecking Company orchestrated a remarkable effort to salvage the wreck. Using innovative techniques, the Moreland was floated and pumped out, towed to Portage Lake, where it was revealed that looters had stripped the vessel during the winter, taking nearly everything movable. Captain Reid vowed to prosecute the culprits.

Despite the setbacks, the Moreland’s hull was deemed salvageable. In 1916, the vessel was towed to the Superior shipyards, where a new forward end was constructed. The two halves were connected, effectively giving the Moreland a new lease on life.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The reef remains a point of interest for divers and historians, though remnants of earlier wrecks, including the Moreland, are not confirmed to be accessible.

Resources & Links

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The William C. Moreland, reborn as Sir Trevor Dawson, exemplifies the challenges and triumphs of Great Lakes shipping. Her grounding at Eagle River Reef and subsequent resurrection demonstrate both the dangers of navigating the Great Lakes and the resilience of maritime industries. Her story remains a compelling chapter in the history of Great Lakes shipwrecks, symbolizing survival and ingenuity in the face of adversity.