Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Topeka
- Type: Propeller, wooden, bulk freight, self-unloading
- Year Built: 1889
- Builder: Milwaukee Shipyard Co.
- Dimensions: 228 ft (69.5 m) X 36 ft (10.97 m); Depth: 19 ft (5.79 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1376 tons (1376 t)
- Location: Off Windsor (Sandwich), Ontario
- Official Number: 145510
- Original Owners: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Topeka was a wooden propeller freighter built in 1889 at the Milwaukee Shipyard Co. It was primarily used for bulk freight transport, and in 1912, it was converted into a self-unloading vessel, allowing it to unload cargo like coal without the need for manual labor.
Description
The Topeka had an impressive length of 228 feet and a gross tonnage of 1376 tons, making it one of the larger freighters operating on the Great Lakes at the time.
History
On August 15, 1916, while traveling on the Detroit River near Windsor, Ontario, the Topeka collided with the smaller steamer Christopher. The collision caused significant damage to the Topeka, leading to its sinking. However, the ship’s machinery was later recovered, and the wreck was leveled by dynamiting on December 26, 1916. The wreck was fully cleared, marking the end of the Topeka‘s service.
Significant Incidents
- Collision with the steamer Christopher on August 15, 1916.
- No loss of life reported.
Final Disposition
Following the collision and sinking on August 15, 1916, the Topeka‘s wreckage was cleared by dynamiting on December 26, 1916, after its machinery was salvaged. The vessel’s loss did not result in any loss of life, and no records indicate significant recovery of the vessel’s cargo.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no known current navigational hazards related to the wreck of the Topeka, as the wreck was cleared by dynamiting in 1916. The collision with the Christopher and subsequent removal of the wreckage ensured that the site no longer posed any significant risk to navigation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”topeka-us-145610″ title=”References & Links”]
The Topeka was a large wooden propeller freighter that met its unfortunate end on August 15, 1916, when it collided with the steamer Christopher in the Detroit River. The vessel was carrying coal at the time, and despite the collision, no lives were lost. The wreck was later cleared by dynamiting, with the machinery salvaged before the demolition.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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