Philadelphia (1868, Package Freighter)

PHILADELPHIA (1868, Package Freighter)
Erie, PA freight docks
Source: Gordon Wendt
Name of original file :  109944_110012_F.jp2

Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name: Philadelphia
  • Year Built: 1868
  • Official Number: 20142
  • Vessel Type: Package Freighter (designed for carrying general merchandise and smaller cargoes).
  • Hull Material: Iron (second metal freighter built on the Great Lakes).
  • Builder: David Bell, Buffalo, NY
  • Original Owner: J.C. & E.T. Evans Co., Buffalo, NY
  • Specifications Length: 71.93 metres (236 feet) Beam: 10.45 metres (34.3 feet) Depth: 4.27 metres (14 feet)
  • Gross Tonnage: 1,436.6
  • Net Tonnage: 1,230.15
  • Cargo Capacity: 1,600 tons
  • Propulsion & Power Propulsion: Single screw propeller
  • Engine Type: Low-pressure, 400 horsepower
  • Cylinders: 2
  • Boilers: 1, built by David Bell in Buffalo
  • Propeller: 11-foot diameter
  • Machinery Notes: Engine and boiler by Shepard Iron Works, Buffalo, NY.

Service History

1868: Built and enrolled in Buffalo, NY. As the second metal-hulled freighter on the Great Lakes, it marked a significant step in maritime innovation. 1873, July 4: Struck a rock at the head of Lake Erie and sank in 16 feet of water. Refloated July 19. 1875: Repaired and completely overhauled.1884, April 6: Underwent a complete Rebuild, including the installation of two steel boilers. 1891, November 30: Sank in the Detroit River. 1892, April 7: Repaired at Springwells Dry Dock, Detroit, including Hull and machinery overhauls. The bottom was sheathed with 4-inch oak planking, end to end. 1893, May 15: Grounded near Two Harbors, Minnesota, suffering a hole in her bow. Repaired again.

Final Voyage & Sinking

  • Date: November 7, 1893
  • Location: 7 miles northeast of Point Aux Barques, Michigan, in Lake Huron.
  • Cause: A collision with the propeller freighter Albany during poor Visibility.
  • Final Cargo: Coal and other merchandise.
  • Casualties: Tragically, 24 lives were lost, including members of both the Philadelphia and Albany crews.

Wreck Details

Final Depth: Approximately 38 metres (124 feet).

Wreck Discovery: Located in 1973 by John Steele, a renowned Great Lakes wreck hunter.

Significance

The Philadelphia was one of the earliest iron-hulled freighters on the Great Lakes, representing the transition from wooden vessels to more durable metal construction. Its multiple sinkings, repairs, and eventual loss highlight the risks faced by 19th-century Great Lakes shipping, particularly in an era when storms, navigation challenges, and collisions were common.

Resources & Links

For additional research and details about the Philadelphia:

3D Model – Philadelphia

Philadelphia by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

Conclusion

The collision between the ALBANY and PHILADELPHIA is a poignant reminder of the perils faced by early mariners on the Great Lakes. Their loss remains a subject of intrigue for historians and divers, offering insight into the challenges of 19th-century maritime commerce. The wrecks rest as silent witnesses to one of Lake Huron’s most tragic shipping disasters.