America

About the AMERICA:
(STEEL PASSENGER/FREIGHT STEAMER)
THE AMERICA WAS LAUNCHED APRIL 2, 1898 IN DETROIT MICHIGAN. AT THE TIME OF THE LAUNCH SHE WAS 164.6 FEET IN LENGTH AND WAS EMPLOYED TO RUN BETWEEN CHICAGO AND MICHIGAN CITY. IN 1911 SHE WAS LENGTHENED TO 182.6 FEET IN SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN. THE AMERICA NOW RAN BETWEEN DULUTH, THUNDER BAY AND ISLE ROYALE CARRYING SUPPLIES, MAIL AND PASSENGERS. IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF JUNE 7, 1928 THE AMERICA WAS LEAVING WASHINGTON HARBOUR, ISLE ROYALE WHEN IT HIT BOTTOM. WHEN AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO BEACH THE VESSEL IT HIT AGAIN JUST SHORT OF THE BEACH AND SANK IN 8 TO 65 FEET OF WATER. THE ONLY CASUALTY WAS A DOG. ALL SALVAGE ATTEMPTS FAILED AND THE WAVES AND ICE DID IT’S WORK.

The Wreck:
GPS-N47.53.625 W089.13.360

THE AMERICA NOW RESTS WITH THE BOW UNDER ABOUT 2 FEET OF WATER AND THE STERN RESTING IN 75 FEET, HAVING SLID DOWN THE REEF FURTHER. THE HULL AND DECK IS INTACT BUT THE BOW CABINS ARE DESTROYED. THE CABINS START TO TAKE SHAPE AGAIN AROUND THE BOILER AREA AND ARE TOTALLY INTACT AT THE STERN. THERE IS A GRAND PIANO ON THE STERN DECK AND THE REMAINS OF A MODEL "T" FORD IN FRONT OF THE ENGINE ROOM. THE STERN CAN BE PENETRATED IN THE BOILER ROOM, ENGINE ROOM, GALLEY AND RIGHT DOWN TO THE BILGE OF THE SHIP. IT IS VERY DARK DOWN THERE AND WHEN THE SILT STIRS UP VISIBILITY BECOMES NIL. ONE DIVER HAS DIED ON THIS WRECK WHEN HE BECAME DISORIENTATED AND RAN OUT OF AIR. THERE IS LOTS TO SEE ON THIS SHIP AND IT TAKES A FEW DIVES TO SEE IT ALL. VISIBILITY ON THIS WRECK IS USUALLY 40 TO 50 FEET AND IT CAN BE DIVED IN ALMOST ANY WEATHER DUE TO IT’S PROTECTED LOCATION. THIS WRECK IS THE MOST DIVED SHIPWRECK AT ISLE ROYALE.

Wreck info/description courtesy of Rob Farrow

Photos by Rob Farrow and Scott Hall

     Engine Room     Engine Room     Inside the America

Prop     Quarters     Stove

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