Shipwreck Report: ADMIRAL (formerly W.H. MYER)

Identification & Site Information

  • Wreck Name: ADMIRAL (previously W.H. MYER)
  • Type: Tugboat (Steel Propeller)
  • Build Date: 1907
  • Builder: Manitowoc Ship Building Co., Manitowoc, Wisconsin
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 93 feet (28.3 meters)
    • Beam: 22 feet (6.7 meters)
    • Depth: 11 feet (3.3 meters)
  • Gross Tonnage: 130 tons
  • Net Tonnage: 88 tons
  • Power: Steam-powered, later Rebuilt with updated systems in 1942.
  • Final Location: Lake Erie, approximately 10 miles north of Avon Point, Ohio, and 18 miles WNW of Cleveland Harbor.
  • Coordinates: 41° 38.244’ N, 81° 54.197’ W
  • Depth: 75 feet (24 meters)
  • Condition: Upright, largely intact, but silted in with some artifacts removed.

Vessel Type Description

The ADMIRAL was a steel-hulled Tugboat originally launched as the W.H. MYER in 1907. It was built for towing operations on the Great Lakes and later converted for wartime operations. Tugboats like the ADMIRAL were critical to Great Lakes commerce, assisting in the movement of larger vessels, towing barges, and even breaking ice. After a Rebuild in 1942, the ADMIRAL took on increased responsibilities, towing oil barges such as the CLEVECO in support of wartime logistics.

History

The ADMIRAL served for over three decades under various owners:

  • 1907-1942: Operated as W.H. MYER, servicing Great Lakes ports and harbors.
  • 1942: Renamed and Rebuilt as the ADMIRAL to fulfill critical wartime duties.

The Final Voyage (December 2, 1942):

During a fierce winter storm, the ADMIRAL was towing the tanker Barge CLEVECO from Toledo, Ohio, to Cleveland Harbor. The storm brought heavy snow, gale-force winds, and icing conditions that made navigation perilous. Both vessels became heavily coated in ice, which increased their instability.

•Event Sequence:

  • Ice buildup and poor Visibility due to snow reduced the ADMIRAL’s maneuverability.
  • Likely overtaken by a large wave, the ADMIRAL capsized, taking all 14 crew members with it.
  • The CLEVECO also sank, claiming 18 lives.

The combined loss of 32 lives and two vessels marked one of the most tragic events in Lake Erie’s maritime history.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the ADMIRAL was discovered in 1969. It rests upright in 75 feet of water with significant silt accumulation. The pilothouse and engine room are largely intact but obscured by Zebra Mussels and sediment.

Artifact Recovery: Items such as the ship’s bell and pilothouse equipment have been removed by divers.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck lies within recreational diving limits but requires caution due to limited Visibility, silt, and potential entanglement hazards.

Penetration: Accessible but challenging due to silt and debris in enclosed spaces.

Visibility: Variable, typically reduced by lake conditions.

Marine Life: The wreck is home to Zebra Mussels and other aquatic life, creating a unique underwater habitat.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The ADMIRAL is a poignant example of the perils of Great Lakes navigation, particularly during wartime. Its loss alongside the CLEVECO highlights the challenges faced by mariners operating in extreme weather. Today, the wreck serves as an important historical site and a somber underwater memorial to the lives lost in service to maritime commerce and wartime operations.

Keywords

#ADMIRAL #Tugboat #LakeErieShipwreck #CLEVECO #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #WartimeShipping #ShipwreckDiving