Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Tempest (1872)

Explore the wreck of the Tempest, a wooden propeller steamer that sank in Lake Erie during a storm in 1918, resulting in one fatality.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Tempest
  • Type: Propeller steamer (bulk freight)
  • Year Built: 1872
  • Builder: D. Lester, Marine City, Michigan
  • Dimensions: 159 ft × 30 ft × 13 ft
  • Registered Tonnage: 412 gross / 341 net tons
  • Location: ~20 miles off Erie, Pennsylvania
  • Official Number: Not available, but removed from registry post-1918

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Tempest was a wooden propeller steamer designed for bulk freight transport.

Description

Constructed in 1872, the Tempest featured a single-deck configuration and was powered by a 575 horsepower steam engine. The vessel was primarily used for towing operations.

History

On her final voyage, the Tempest was towing the schooner J. I. Case when she encountered severe weather conditions. The vessel developed a catastrophic leak and sank quickly, resulting in the loss of one crew member.

Significant Incidents

  • Towing Duty: On final voyage, was performing a towing operation for the schooner J. I. Case.
  • Loss Event: In heavy weather, the Tempest developed a catastrophic leak and quickly foundered, unable to maintain buoyancy; the tow was lost/separated.
  • Casualty Report: Crew safety unclear apart from confirmed one fatality associated with the sinking.

Final Disposition

The Tempest sank approximately 20 miles off Erie, Pennsylvania, in Lake Erie. No documented wreck discovery or survey records exist, and the wreck is believed to be in deep waters beyond recreational diving limits.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As of now, there are no confirmed wreck locations for the Tempest, and it is likely situated in deep-water conditions.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”tempest-1872″ title=”References & Links”]

The Tempest represents a bulk-freight steamer engaged in towing service on Lake Erie during WWI. Built in 1872, she sank on 27 August 1918 after taking on water in a sudden storm while towing the schooner J. I. Case, resulting in a fatality and the loss of the vessel, with no known remains discovered to date.

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.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Vessel Name: Tempest
  • Year Built: 1872
  • Built At: Marine City, Michigan (by D. Lester)
  • Official Number: Not available, but removed from registry post-1918
  • Vessel Type: Propeller steamer (bulk freight)
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Decks: Single-deck configuration
  • Propulsion & Engines: Powered by a 575 hp steam engine
  • Final Location: ~20 miles off Erie, Pennsylvania, in Lake Erie
  • Date of Loss: 27 August 1918
  • Cause of Loss: Foundered during a storm while towing the schooner J. I. Case
  • Cargo: Coal
  • Crew: One confirmed fatality
  • Final Voyage: Departed Chicago with tow on Lake Erie, encountered heavy weather and developed a severe leak; sank quickly after taking on water, resulting in loss of one crew member. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

Vessel Specifications

  • Dimensions: 159 ft × 30 ft × 13 ft
  • Tonnage: 412 gross / 341 net tons
  • Engine Power: 575 hp (propulsion noted from Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Operational History & Incident

  • Towing Duty: On final voyage, was performing a towing operation for the schooner J. I. Case
  • Loss Event: In heavy weather, the Temptest developed a catastrophic leak and quickly foundered, unable to maintain buoyancy; the tow was lost/separated.
  • Casualty Report: Crew safety unclear apart from confirmed one fatality associated with the sinking (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Wreck Site & Discovery

  • Location: ~20 miles off Erie, PA, Lake Erie
  • Depth: Deep waters beyond recreational diving limits; no documented wreck discovery or survey records exist

Resources & References

  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – dedicated “T” listings (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
  • Vessel registries: D. Lester shipbuilder index, marine freight transport logs

Keywords & Categories

  • Region: Lake Erie (near Erie, PA)
  • Vessel Type: Wooden propeller steamer
  • Material: Wood
  • Cause of Loss: Storm, foundering/leak
  • Cargo: Coal; towing schooner J. I. Case
  • Casualty: 1 fatality
  • Year of Loss: 1918
  • Dive Status: No confirmed wreck location, likely deep-water

Summary

The Temptest represents a bulk-freight steamer engaged in towing service on Lake Erie during WWI. Built in 1872, she sank on 27 August 1918 after taking on water in a sudden storm while towing the schooner J. I. Case, approximately 20 miles off Erie, PA. The incident resulted in a fatality and the loss of the vessel, with no known remains discovered to date.

tempest-1872 1918-08-27 02:57:00