Westmoreland

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Westmoreland
• Type: Propeller
• Year Built: 1853
• Builder:
• Dimensions: 200 ft (60.96 m) X 28 ft (8.53 m); Depth: 12 ft (3.66 m)
• Registered Tonnage:
• Depth at Wreck Site: 54.86 m / 180 ft
• Location: Lake Michigan, Michigan
• Coordinates: Undisclosed

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Westmoreland was a wooden-hulled propeller-driven steamer built in 1853. Designed for both cargo and passenger service, the vessel featured a single expansion HPNC steam engine, a typical propulsion system for the mid-19th century.

Description

The wreck of the Westmoreland is remarkably well-preserved, sitting upright on the lakebed. Key features of the site include:

• Structural Integrity: The hull remains intact, including the distinctive hogging arches, structural reinforcements used to prevent the hull from sagging or bending. The cabins have collapsed, but many components remain visible or preserved beneath the wreckage.
• Machinery and Artifacts: The single expansion steam engine remains in place, along with the vertical boiler, helm, horned rudder, early propeller, bilge pump, and one visible cathead. There are likely numerous artifacts and pieces of machinery preserved beneath the collapsed cabins and decks, which are not currently visible in dive models.

History

In 1854, just a year after it was launched, the Westmoreland sank in Lake Michigan during a storm. The ship went down near Michigan’s shoreline, carrying cargo and passengers. The precise number of lives lost is debated, but the sinking stands as a stark reminder of the hazards faced by early Great Lakes vessels.

For further historical details:

• Great Lakes Historical Society Record
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – Westmoreland
• 3DShipwrecks – Westmoreland

Significant Incidents

• Sank in Lake Michigan during a storm in 1854.

Final Disposition

The wreck is protected under Michigan’s maritime heritage laws, and divers are urged to respect the site by not disturbing or removing artifacts.

Current Condition & Accessibility

At 180 ft (54.86 m), the site is accessible only to advanced technical divers with experience in deep wreck diving. Lake Michigan’s cold, clear waters generally provide good visibility at this depth, aiding in the observation of the wreck’s intact structure and machinery.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”westmoreland” title=”References & Links”]

The Westmoreland is a prime example of mid-19th-century Great Lakes steamers, showcasing the design and technology of the era. Its intact hull, complete with hogging arches, and the presence of original machinery such as the steam engine, propeller, and boiler, make it an invaluable archaeological site. The wreck also serves as a solemn reminder of the perils of early steam navigation on the Great Lakes, where severe weather and the limitations of contemporary technology often proved fatal. Its depth and condition make the Westmoreland a notable site for technical divers and maritime historians.