Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: William Edenborn
- Type: Bulk Freighter
- Year Built: 1900
- Builder: West Bay City Ship Building Co., West Bay City, Michigan
- Dimensions: 478 ft (145.7 m); Beam: 52 ft (15.8 m); Depth of hold: 25.16 ft (7.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 5085 tons (varied over the years)
- Location: Gordon Park, Cleveland, Ohio
- Coordinates: Near Gordon Park, Cleveland, Ohio
- Official Number: 81702
- Original Owners: American Steamship Company, Pittsburgh Steamship Company, U.S. Steel Corporation
- Number of Masts: 1
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Bulk Freighter
Description
The William Edenborn was a steel bulk freighter built in 1900, notable for its role in the iron ore trade on the Great Lakes. It featured a quadruple expansion steam engine and was equipped with watertube boilers that were replaced in 1927.
History
1901: Shortly after her launch, the William Edenborn was acquired by the Pittsburgh Steamship Company of Cleveland, Ohio, a subsidiary of U.S. Steel involved in the iron ore trade on the Great Lakes.
November 28, 1905: The Edenborn ran aground seven miles southwest of Split Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior during a storm, resulting in the loss of one crew member. The vessel suffered minimal damage and was released on September 5, 1906, before being towed to Cleveland for repairs.
The vessel underwent several upgrades to extend its service life: In 1927, the Edenborn received new watertube boilers and a new propeller. Tonnage adjustments occurred over the years due to changes in the ship’s configuration, particularly in 1928 and 1956.
By 1952, the William Edenborn was under the ownership of U.S. Steel Corporation, continuing to transport iron ore and bulk cargo throughout the Great Lakes.
Significant Incidents
- 1905 Grounding: The vessel ran aground near Split Rock Lighthouse, resulting in the loss of one crew member but minimal damage to the ship.
Final Disposition
Date of Final Loss: October 1962
Location: Gordon Park, Cleveland, Ohio, Lake Erie
Cause: Scuttled as a breakwater
After over 60 years of service, the William Edenborn was stripped of valuable components and scuttled in Lake Erie off Gordon Park in Cleveland, Ohio. She was intentionally sunk to serve as part of a breakwater structure, helping to protect the shoreline from erosion and wave damage.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The William Edenborn‘s remains now form part of a visible breakwater structure, making it an accessible site for local history enthusiasts and maritime researchers interested in the industrial history of Cleveland.
Resources & Links
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The William Edenborn represents a classic example of early 20th-century bulk freighters that played a pivotal role in the industrialization of the Great Lakes region. Despite a grounding incident in 1905, the vessel enjoyed a long and productive career before being scuttled in 1962 to serve as a breakwater in Cleveland, Ohio. Her story reflects both the technological advancements in shipbuilding and the innovative reuse of aging vessels for environmental and infrastructural purposes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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