Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: SS Amasa Stone
- Type: Steel-hulled propeller-driven Great Lakes freighter
- Year Built: 1905
- Builder: Detroit Shipbuilding Co. (Wyandotte, MI)
- Dimensions: 525 ft × 55.16 ft × 31 ft; 6,282 GT / 4,930 NT (U.S. registry)
- Registered Tonnage: 6,282 GT / 4,930 NT
- Location: Charlevoix, MI
- Official Number: 201937
- Original Owners: Mesaba Steamship Co. (1905-1913), Interlake Steamship Co. (1913-1964), Marine Salvage Ltd. (1964)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Steel-hulled propeller-driven Great Lakes freighter
Description
The SS Amasa Stone was a steel-hulled freighter built in 1905, notable for its long service on the Great Lakes. Originally powered by a triple-expansion steam engine, it was re-engined in the early 1950s with a Skinner uniflow engine.
History
Owned by Mesaba Steamship Co. from 1905 to 1913 and then by Interlake Steamship Co. until 1964, the Amasa Stone had a storied career, including notable incidents such as the sinking of the Etruria in 1905 and a collision with the Merton E. Farr in 1924.
Significant Incidents
- June 18, 1905: Struck and sank the wooden steamer Etruria off Presque Isle Light in fog while downbound from Duluth.
- July 24, 1924: Collided with Merton E. Farr in fog off Isle Parisienne, Lake Superior; sustained $7,000 in damage.
- October 22, 1929: Weathered the storm that sank the train ferry Milwaukee, reportedly escaped serious harm.
- July 29, 1930: Rescued six crew from a capsized sandsucker near Dunkirk, Lake Erie.
Final Disposition
In 1964, the SS Amasa Stone was sold to Marine Salvage Ltd. In May 1965, the stripped hull was sunk as a breakwater at Charlevoix, MI, where it remains today.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the SS Amasa Stone is part of the Charlevoix breakwater and is among the oldest intact bulk freighter hulks in freshwater. It serves as an artificial reef and is partially visible at low water.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”ss-amasa-stone-us-201937″ title=”References & Links”]
The SS Amasa Stone’s legacy includes over six decades of service, significant maritime incidents, and its final role in maritime recycling as a breakwater, making it a valuable site for historical and ecological studies.
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.
Identification & Build
- Type: Steel-hulled propeller-driven Great Lakes freighter
- Built: 1905 by Detroit Shipbuilding Co. (Wyandotte, MI), hull #158 (greatlakesvesselhistory.com, Flickr)
- Dimensions: 525 ft × 55.16 ft × 31 ft; 6,282 GT / 4,930 NT (U.S. registry) (Flickr)
Power & Modifications
- Originally powered by triple-expansion steam engine and two Scotch marine boilers (Wikipedia)
- Re-engined in 1951–52 with an 1,800 HP 5-cylinder Skinner uniflow engine (Wikipedia)
Career Highlights & Incidents
- 1905–1913: Owned by Mesaba Steamship Co. (Pickands Mather, mgrs.)
- 1913–1964: Operated under Interlake Steamship Co. (Pickands Mather) (Flickr)
- June 18, 1905: Struck and sank the wooden steamer Etruria off Presque Isle Light in fog while downbound from Duluth (Wikipedia)
- July 24, 1924: Collided with Merton E. Farr in fog off Isle Parisienne, Lake Superior; sustained $7,000 in damage (Wikipedia)
- October 22, 1929: Weathered the storm that sank the train ferry Milwaukee, downbound with coal, reportedly escaped serious harm (Wikipedia)
- July 29, 1930: Rescued six crew from a capsized sandsucker near Dunkirk, Lake Erie (Wikipedia)
Final Disposition
- 1964: Sold to Marine Salvage Ltd., Port Colborne, ON
- May 1965: Hull, stripped of machinery and fittings, was sunk as a breakwater (alongside Charles S. Hebard) at Charlevoix, MI for Medusa Portland Cement Co.—where it remains to this day (Wikipedia)
Significance & Legacy
- Century-long service: Over six decades of operation, surviving storms, collisions, and evolving marine technology.
- Maritime incidents: Noteworthy accidents include major fog collisions and lifesaving rescues, reflecting early 20th-century navigation risks.
- Hull repurposing: Its final role as a breakwater exemplifies maritime recycling practices—transforming retired freighters into shore protection infrastructure.
- Survival status: As part of the Charlevoix breakwater, its hull is among the oldest intact bulk freighter hulks in freshwater, valuable for historical engineering and conservation studies (Wikipedia)
Research & Exploration Paths
- Archival research: Seek original blueprints and engine-room layouts from the Detroit Shipbuilding Co., along with detailed logbooks of collision incidents.
- Environmental impact: Assess the long-term ecological role of the hull as an artificial reef and breakwater.
- Site documentation: Though intentionally sunk, the Amasa Stone remains partially visible at low water; consider sonar scans, aerial drone surveys, or coastal inspections—permissions may be required from Medusa/Cemex Charlevoix.