Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: W.D. Flushing
- Type: tugboat
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 15 m / 50 ft
- Location: Approximately 5 miles off Cleveland’s shoreline
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Likely a steam-powered wooden-hulled tug, typical of Great Lakes harbor work in the late 19th century—assisting in towing barges, moving vessels in port, and salvage duties.
Specific dimensions, construction yard, and build date remain undocumented in primary-register searches.
Description
The W.D. Flushing was stripped of all valuable fittings and machinery before being intentionally sunk as a hulk in approximately 50 feet (15 m) of water, about 5 miles off Cleveland, Ohio.
History
The Buffalo Morning Express reported on April 13, 1900, that the vessel was deliberately stripped of everything of value before being sunk as a temporary breakwater or for derelict disposal.
Purpose-built hulking typically served as navigational obstruction control or to form wave protection reefs near harbor entrances.
Significant Incidents
- The Buffalo Morning Express indicates a deliberate stripping of the vessel before sinking.
- Purpose-built hulking typically served as navigational obstruction control or to form wave protection reefs near harbor entrances.
Final Disposition
The W.D. Flushing was stripped and sunk, likely retaining its hull structure with minimal deck superstructure remaining. No recorded dive surveys or detailed site investigations have been documented.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is reported to be in a stripped condition, likely retaining the hull structure but lacking machinery and fittings. The site is approximately 50 feet deep, and no detailed surveys have been conducted.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”w-d-flushing” title=”References & Links”]
The W.D. Flushing represents a regrettably undocumented but typical Great Lakes harbor disposal practice of the early 20th century. Archival retrieval of the original newspaper and harbor commission records is essential for confirming her identity and condition. A focused underwater survey could document her remains, contributing to Cleveland’s submerged cultural heritage inventory.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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