Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name: MANHATTAN
  • Vessel Type: Bulk Freighter
  • Built By: Detroit Dry Dock Co.
  • Place of Construction: Detroit, Michigan, USA
  • Year Built: 1887
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 252.4 feet (76.9 m)
    • Beam: 38 feet (11.6 m)
    • Depth: 19.4 feet (5.9 m)
    • Gross Tonnage: 1,545.7 tons
    • Net Tonnage: 1,102.74 tons
    • Cargo Capacity: 2,000 tons or approximately 70,000 bushels
  • Final Resting Place: Grand Island, Lake Superior
  • Coordinates: N46° 28.02’, W086° 36.56’
  • Depth: 40 feet (12 m)

Vessel Type Description

The Manhattan was a wooden-hulled bulk freighter with twin stacks, a spar Deck, and modern features for its time, such as electric lights, diagonal straps on the frame, a steel boilerhouse, and steam pumps. Designed to transport large volumes of bulk cargo like wheat and iron ore, the vessel was a testament to late 19th-century innovation in Great Lakes shipping.

History

Construction and Early Service (1887-1897):

  • Launched in 1887, the MANHATTAN was initially owned by the Inter Ocean Transportation Co. of Milwaukee, WI.
  • Its propulsion system consisted of a for-and-aft compound steam engine generating 980 horsepower at 96 revolutions per minute, paired with two firebox boilers built by Dry Dock Engine Works.
  • The vessel regularly transported iron ore between Escanaba, MI, and Cleveland, OH, often setting records for rapid loading. On October 19, 1888, it loaded 1,800 tons of ore in just 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Ownership Changes and Continued Service (1897-1903):

  • In 1897, the vessel was sold to David Vance & Co. of Milwaukee, WI.
  • By 1899, ownership transferred to J.C. Gilchrist of Cleveland, OH. The MANHATTAN played a vital role in towing operations, including towing the F.A. GEORGER in 1900.
  • By April 1903, the Gilchrist Transportation Co. of Mentor, OH, became the final owner, with its homeport in Fairport.

Final Voyage and Wreck (October 27, 1903)

On its last voyage, the MANHATTAN was transporting 76,000 bushels of wheat from Duluth, MN, to Buffalo, NY. While navigating Lake Superior near Grand Island, the vessel’s steering gear failed, leading to its stranding. The situation worsened when a fire broke out, ultimately consuming much of the vessel.

  • Rescue Efforts: The crew was safely rescued by the Tug WARD, averting any loss of life.
  • Salvage and Removal (1910): In 1910, parts of the wreck were salvaged and removed by Thomas L. Durocher from Sault Ste. Marie, MI, though remnants of the vessel remain at the site.

Dive Site Description

The wreck of the MANHATTAN offers an accessible dive site at 40 feet (12 meters) in depth. While much of the ship was salvaged in 1910, divers may still find remnants of the vessel, including:

  • Hull Structure: Portions of the wooden Hull.
  • Artifacts: Possible remnants of its cargo or operational equipment.
  • Marine Life: The wreck supports a thriving underwater ecosystem.

Legacy and Significance

The MANHATTAN’s history reflects the critical role of bulk freighters in Great Lakes commerce during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its technological innovations and service record highlight the evolution of maritime engineering and the demands of industrial shipping.

Resources and References

  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website: Comprehensive documentation of the MANHATTAN’s history.
  • Shipbuilding Records: Archival details from the Detroit Dry Dock Co. and Dry Dock Engine Works.
  • Great Lakes Historical Society: Insights into the MANHATTAN’s operational history and final fate.

Conclusion

The MANHATTAN exemplifies the resilience and challenges of Great Lakes freighters, serving as a vital link in the transportation of bulk goods for over a decade. Its tragic end near Grand Island underscores the hazards of navigation in Lake Superior. Today, its remnants offer a glimpse into the past for divers and maritime historians, preserving the legacy of a vessel that played a key role in shaping Great Lakes commerce.