Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Wexford C 87342

Explore the wreck of the SS Wexford, a steel-hulled freighter lost in the Great Storm of 1913, resting in 75 feet of water off Grand Bend, Lake Huron.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: SS Wexford (formerly ELISE)
  • Type: Steel-Hulled Package Freighter
  • Year Built: 1883
  • Builder: William Doxford & Sons, Sunderland, England
  • Dimensions: Length: 250 ft (76.2 m); Beam: 40 ft (12.2 m); Draft: 17 ft (5.2 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 2,104 tons; Net Tonnage: 1,340 tons
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 25 m / 75 ft
  • Location: Grand Bend, Lake Huron
  • Coordinates: N 43° 24.06′, W 081° 53.30′

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The SS Wexford was a steel-hulled package freighter built in 1883, designed for the transportation of goods across the Great Lakes. Originally named ELISE, it was a sturdy example of 19th-century shipbuilding, featuring a single deck and three cargo holds. Its cargo often included steel rails and bulk goods, such as wheat.

Description

Built by William Doxford & Sons in Sunderland, England, the vessel began service as the ELISE in 1883. After several ownership changes, it was renamed SS Wexford in 1903 and integrated into the fleet of the Western Steamship Company.

History

On November 6, 1913, the Wexford departed Fort William, Ontario, loaded with steel rails and 96,000 bushels of wheat, bound for Goderich, Ontario. Caught in the infamous Great Storm of 1913, the vessel was tragically lost, sinking with all hands aboard.

Significant Incidents

  • The SS Wexford succumbed to the violent conditions of the storm, with its last communication from Captain Cameron on November 9, 1913, reporting fog and delays.

Final Disposition

The ship was discovered on August 25, 2000, resting upright in 75 feet of water off Grand Bend, Lake Huron. Its excellent condition provides a haunting yet invaluable glimpse into the ship’s history and its demise during one of the most devastating storms in Great Lakes history.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck site is accessible to divers, but it is essential to consult local authorities and maritime organizations for updated advisories before visiting. The site is a significant historical location, and divers are encouraged to practice ethical diving by documenting without disturbing the wreck.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”wexford-c-87342″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The SS Wexford embodies the rich yet tragic maritime history of the Great Lakes. Its loss during the Great Storm of 1913 is a sobering reminder of the hazards faced by mariners of the era. The discovery of the wreck in 2000 brought resolution to one of the storm’s mysteries and stands as a testament to the bravery of its crew. Today, the Wexford remains an important site of historical significance and a focal point for those seeking to honor and learn from the past.

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 & SITE INFORMATION

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The SS Wexford was a steel-hulled package freighter built in 1883, designed for the transportation of goods across the Great Lakes. Originally named ELISE, it was a sturdy example of 19th-century shipbuilding, featuring a single deck and three cargo holds. Its cargo often included steel rails and bulk goods, such as wheat.

HISTORY

Built by William Doxford & Sons in Sunderland, England, the vessel began service as the ELISE in 1883. After several ownership changes, it was renamed SS Wexford in 1903 and integrated into the fleet of the Western Steamship Company.

On November 6, 1913, the Wexford departed Fort William, Ontario, loaded with steel rails and 96,000 bushels of wheat, bound for Goderich, Ontario. Caught in the infamous Great Storm of 1913, the vessel was tragically lost, sinking with all hands aboard.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The SS Wexford succumbed to the violent conditions of the storm, with its last communication from Captain Cameron on November 9, 1913, reporting fog and delays. The ship was discovered on August 25, 2000, resting upright in 75 feet of water off Grand Bend, Lake Huron. Its excellent condition provides a haunting yet invaluable glimpse into the ship’s history and its demise during one of the most devastating storms in Great Lakes history.

NOTICES TO MARINERS (NOTMARs) & ADVISORIES

  • Current Notices: No active NOTMARs associated with the SS Wexford wreck site.
  • Divers should consult local authorities and maritime organizations for updated advisories before visiting.

LOCATED BY & DATE

RESOURCES & LINKS

Photos by Mark

KEYWORDS

SS Wexford, ELISE, Great Storm of 1913, Lake Huron, Steel-Hulled Freighter, Shipwreck, Maritime History, Great Lakes.

CONCLUSION

The SS Wexford embodies the rich yet tragic maritime history of the Great Lakes. Its loss during the Great Storm of 1913 is a sobering reminder of the hazards faced by mariners of the era. The discovery of the wreck in 2000 brought resolution to one of the storm’s mysteries and stands as a testament to the bravery of its crew. Today, the Wexford remains an important site of historical significance and a focal point for those seeking to honor and learn from the past.

Videos

The SS Wexford, a steel-hulled package freighter, stands as a poignant symbol of the maritime history that unfolded on the Great Lakes. Constructed in Sunderland, England, in 1883 by William Doxford & Sons, this vessel embarked on a journey that ultimately led to its tragic loss during the Great Lakes storm of 1913. With a rich history of ownership changes and a legacy marked by both mystery and exploration, the story of the SS Wexford captures the essence of maritime exploration and preservation. wexford-c-87342 1913-11-06 07:48:00