IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

  • Name: Champlain II
  • Type: Steamer
  • Date of Incident: July 16, 1875
  • Location: Steam Mill Point (later known as Calamity Point), just south of Essex, Lake Champlain
  • Coordinates: Not specified
  • Dimensions: 244 feet in length
  • Final Disposition: Scrapped on-site; wreckage remains submerged.

INCIDENT DESCRIPTION

On the evening of July 16, 1875, the Steamer Champlain II was traveling at nearly full speed, bound for Plattsburgh with a full complement of passengers. Under the guidance of its pilot, John Eldredge, the vessel collided with the rocks at Steam Mill Point, south of Essex, New York. The collision left three-quarters of the 244-foot Steamer high and dry on shore, effectively ending her service.

DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT

Circumstances:

The pilot, John Eldredge, had been under the influence of morphine taken for a cold. He was later found to possess forged prescriptions, which he used to obtain morphine at pharmacies along the Steamer’s route. After steering the vessel onto the rocks, Eldredge Abandoned the ship in a stupor and disappeared into the nearby woods for two days.

Damage:

The collision broke the Steamer’s back, rendering it unsalvageable.

Passenger Safety:

Miraculously, no injuries were reported among the passengers, including Smith Weed, a prominent businessman and politician from Plattsburgh, who was traveling with his wife.

AFTERMATH

Salvage Operations:

Two schooners were brought alongside to remove expensive furnishings and passengers’ baggage.

Photographic Documentation:

Keeseville photographer George Baldwin captured the wreck, with his shadow and camera visible in one of the images. These photographs generated significant public interest and attracted sightseers to the site.

Final Disposition:

The Champlain II was scrapped at the site, and the location became known as Calamity Point. The remains of the vessel are still visible beneath the waters near the point.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

  • Condition: The wreckage of the Champlain II lies submerged at Calamity Point, with remnants of the Hull still visible beneath the waves.
  • Accessibility: The site is accessible to divers and remains a point of interest for maritime historians and underwater archaeologists.

RESOURCES & LINKS

  • Maritime History of Lake Champlain: Historical accounts and records of vessels operating on Lake Champlain.
  • Local Historical Societies: Resources for additional details on the Champlain II and Steam Mill Point.
  • Underwater Archaeology Resources: Guidance for exploring the wreckage safely and responsibly.

KEYWORDS

Champlain II, Steam Mill Point, Calamity Point, Lake Champlain shipwrecks, 1875 maritime disaster, George Baldwin photography, Smith Weed, John Eldredge, Steamer wreck.

ANALYSIS

The wreck of the Champlain II highlights the perils of 19th-century Steamboat travel, where mechanical failures and human error often led to catastrophic outcomes. The pilot’s morphine-induced impairment underscores the lack of oversight and accountability in some maritime operations of the era. Despite the disaster, the safe evacuation of all passengers stands as a testament to the crew’s efforts under challenging circumstances.

Today, the wreckage at Calamity Point serves as a historical artifact, offering insights into the construction and operation of 19th-century steamers on Lake Champlain. It continues to attract divers and historians, preserving the legacy of the ill-fated vessel.