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
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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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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