Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: SS William B. Davock
- Type: Bulk Freighter
- Year Built: 1907
- Builder: Great Lakes Engineering Works
- Dimensions: Length 420 ft (128.0 m); Beam 52 ft (15.8 m); Depth 23 ft (7.0 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage 4,468; Net Tonnage 3,246
- Depth at Wreck Site: 64 m / 210 ft
- Location: Approximately 5 miles off Little Sable Point, Michigan
- Coordinates: Approximately 5 miles off Little Sable Point
- Official Number: U.S. Official Number 204121
- Original Owners: Vulcan Steamship Company; later managed by Interlake Steamship Company (Pickands, Mather & Co.)
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
The SS William B. Davock was a steel-hulled bulk freighter designed for transporting commodities such as coal, iron ore, grain, and stone across the Great Lakes.
Description
Description
Constructed in 1907 by Great Lakes Engineering Works in St. Clair, Michigan, the William B. Davock was a significant presence on the Great Lakes, measuring 420 feet (128.0 meters) in length and 52 feet (15.8 meters) in beam. She was powered by a screw propulsion system and equipped with two Scotch boilers, each measuring 13 feet by 12 feet. Initially owned by the Vulcan Steamship Company, the vessel was later managed by the Interlake Steamship Company (Pickands, Mather & Co.).
History
History
Throughout her operational life, the William B. Davock was primarily engaged in the transportation of bulk commodities such as coal, iron ore, grain, and stone across the Great Lakes. In 1915, management of the vessel transitioned to the Interlake Steamship Company. During the winter layup of 1922–23 in Fairport, Ohio, she underwent reconstruction and updates, altering her tonnage to 4,220 gross and 2,671 net. The vessel then resumed her traditional trade routes, carrying coal to upper lake ports from Lake Erie and transporting iron ore from Lake Superior ports to steel mills on Lakes Erie and Michigan.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Lost during the Armistice Day Storm on November 11, 1940, with all 32 crew members perishing.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
On November 11, 1940, the William B. Davock was caught in the catastrophic Armistice Day Storm while en route to Chicago with a cargo of coal. The storm unleashed winds up to 75 mph (120.7 km/h) and waves towering at 20 feet (6.1 meters). The vessel foundered approximately five miles (8.0 kilometers) off Little Sable Point between Ludington and Pentwater, Michigan, sinking in over 200 feet (60.9 meters) of water. Tragically, all 32 crew members aboard perished.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the William B. Davock was discovered in May 1972 by John Steele, Kent Bellrichard, and Bill Cohrs. The vessel lies inverted in approximately 210 feet (64.0 meters) of water off Pentwater, Michigan. A 2014 survey by the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association revealed that the cause of the sinking was a broken rudder, which jammed against the propeller, breaking off one or more blades and rendering the vessel without steering or propulsion. No specific obstructions or advisories are noted for the site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”willam-b-davock-us-204121″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion
The sinking of the SS William B. Davock during the Armistice Day Storm of 1940 stands as a poignant reminder of the formidable and often perilous conditions faced by Great Lakes mariners. The discovery and subsequent studies of the wreck have provided valuable insights into the circumstances surrounding her loss, contributing to the broader understanding of maritime history in the region.
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.
- Name: SS William B. Davock
- Former Names: None
- Registration Number(s): U.S. Official Number 204121
- Date Built and Launched: 1907
- Measurements: Length 420 feet (128.0 meters), Beam 52 feet (15.8 meters), Depth 23 feet (7.0 meters), Gross Tonnage 4,468, Net Tonnage 3,246
- Date Lost: November 11, 1940
Vessel Type
The SS William B. Davock was a steel-hulled bulk freighter designed for transporting commodities such as coal, iron ore, grain, and stone across the Great Lakes.
Description
Constructed in 1907 by Great Lakes Engineering Works in St. Clair, Michigan, the William B. Davock was a significant presence on the Great Lakes, measuring 420 feet (128.0 meters) in length and 52 feet (15.8 meters) in beam. She was powered by a screw propulsion system and equipped with two Scotch boilers, each measuring 13 feet by 12 feet. Initially owned by the Vulcan Steamship Company, the vessel was later managed by the Interlake Steamship Company (Pickands, Mather & Co.).
History
Throughout her operational life, the William B. Davock was primarily engaged in the transportation of bulk commodities such as coal, iron ore, grain, and stone across the Great Lakes. In 1915, management of the vessel transitioned to the Interlake Steamship Company. During the winter layup of 1922–23 in Fairport, Ohio, she underwent reconstruction and updates, altering her tonnage to 4,220 gross and 2,671 net. The vessel then resumed her traditional trade routes, carrying coal to upper lake ports from Lake Erie and transporting iron ore from Lake Superior ports to steel mills on Lakes Erie and Michigan.
Final Disposition
On November 11, 1940, the William B. Davock was caught in the catastrophic Armistice Day Storm while en route to Chicago with a cargo of coal. The storm unleashed winds up to 75 mph (120.7 km/h) and waves towering at 20 feet (6.1 meters). The vessel foundered approximately five miles (8.0 kilometers) off Little Sable Point between Ludington and Pentwater, Michigan, sinking in over 200 feet (60.9 meters) of water. Tragically, all 32 crew members aboard perished. =
Located By & Date Found
The wreck of the William B. Davock was discovered in May 1972 by John Steele, Kent Bellrichard, and Bill Cohrs. The vessel lies inverted in approximately 210 feet (64.0 meters) of water off Pentwater, Michigan. A 2014 survey by the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association revealed that the cause of the sinking was a broken rudder, which jammed against the propeller, breaking off one or more blades and rendering the vessel without steering or propulsion.
Notmars & Advisories
No specific obstructions or advisories are noted for the site.
Resources & Links
- Michigan Shipwreck Research Association – William B. Davock
- SS William B. Davock Wikipedia Entry
- Divers Solve Mystery of William B. Davock Shipwreck
Conclusion
The sinking of the SS William B. Davock during the Armistice Day Storm of 1940 stands as a poignant reminder of the formidable and often perilous conditions faced by Great Lakes mariners. The discovery and subsequent studies of the wreck have provided valuable insights into the circumstances surrounding her loss, contributing to the broader understanding of maritime history in the region.
Suggested Keywords and Categories
- Great Lakes Shipwrecks
- SS William B. Davock
- Armistice Day Storm 1940
- Lake Michigan Maritime History
- Pentwater, Michigan Shipwrecks
- Great Lakes Freighters
- Maritime Disasters
- Shipwreck Diving Sites
Glossary Terms
- Armistice Day Storm: A severe storm that occurred on November 11, 1940, on the Great Lakes, resulting in significant loss of life and vessels.
- Bulk Freighter: A large vessel designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo, such as grains, coal, ore, and cement, across bodies of water.
- Scotch Boiler: A type of fire-tube boiler that was commonly used on ships, characterized by its cylindrical shape and horizontal orientation.