SS America (1898) facts for kids
The America circa 1900
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Quick facts for kids History |
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| Name | America |
| Operator | Booth Fisheries Company |
| Builder | Detroit Dry Dock Company |
| Launched | 2 April 1898 |
| Fate | Sank 7 June 1928 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | steel freighter |
| Length | 183 feet |
| Beam | 31 feet |
| Depth | 11 feet |
| Installed power | 700HP |
| Propulsion | triple expansion steam engine |
| Notes | Official No. 107367 |
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AMERICA
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Divers preparing to explore the America
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | North Gap of Washington Harbor, Isle Royale National Park, Michigan |
| Area | 5.7 acres (2.3 ha) |
| Built | 1898 |
| MPS | Shipwrecks of Isle Royale National Park TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001708 |
| Added to NRHP | June 14, 1984 |
The America was a special kind of boat called a packet boat. It carried people, mail, and packages. It traveled between towns along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Lake Superior is a huge freshwater lake in North America. Built in 1898, the America sank near Isle Royale in 1928. Its hull, or main body, is still there underwater. This shipwreck was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it's an important historical site.
Contents
The Ship's Story: America
The America (Official No. 107367) was a ship made of steel. It was built by the Detroit Dry Dock Company. The ship was launched on April 2, 1898. It was 184 feet long, 31 feet wide, and 11 feet deep. The America weighed 486 tons when empty. It was powered by a strong steam engine. This engine had 700 horsepower.
Early Journeys and New Owners
Less than a month after it was built, the America started its first job. It carried passengers and packages every day. This route was on Lake Michigan between Chicago and Michigan City, Indiana. The ship worked on this route until 1901.
In 1902, the Booth Steamship Company bought the America. They moved the ship to Lake Superior. Here, the ship became a vital link for communities. It made three trips a week. It connected Duluth, Minnesota, Isle Royale, and Thunder Bay, Ontario. It also stopped at many small towns in between. The America brought supplies to these towns. It also carried fish catches out. It was very important for moving mail and people.
Accidents and Changes
The America had several accidents during its time. The first happened soon after it arrived in Duluth. The ship hit a large piece of ice. This caused damage to its front. In 1904, it got too close to another ship. This accident ruined five rooms on the America. In 1909, the ship ran aground, meaning it hit the bottom.
Later in 1909, the Booth Steamship Company faced problems. A new company, the Booth Fisheries Company, took over. They continued to operate the America. In 1911, the ship was made longer. It grew to 183 feet. This change increased its weight capacity. It also added 12 more rooms, making 51 in total. Most of these rooms were for passengers. In 1914, another company, the United States & Dominion Transportation Company, started managing the ship.
The America ran aground again in 1914. It was badly damaged. On June 7, 1924, it hit a reef (an underwater rock). The ship flipped over and sank near Isle Royale. Luckily, all 47 people on board were saved. The ship was later pulled up, fixed, and put back to work. In 1926, it crashed into another ship. In 1927, it hit the dock and ran aground while entering port.
The Shipwreck: America
On June 6, 1928, the America left Duluth on its usual route. It arrived at Washington Harbor in Isle Royale very early on June 7. After dropping off passengers, it left before the sun came up. Once the ship was away from the dock, the captain let the first mate steer. Just five minutes later, the America hit an underwater reef. This happened as it was leaving Washington Harbor.
The captain quickly took back control. He tried to steer the ship to the shore. But the America hit a second reef. All 16 passengers and 31 crew members got safely into lifeboats. Within an hour, the America slowly sank to the bottom. It settled in the north gap of Washington Harbor. Only its front deck and steering room were still above the water.
Attempts to Raise the Ship
People tried to get the ship back to the surface. But there were delays in finding a company to do the job. A salvage company was finally chosen in 1929. Over the winter of 1928-1929, ice caused more damage. The steering room broke off. The ship also sank lower into the water. By then, it was too expensive to raise the wreck. The salvage company never gathered enough money to do it.
In the 1960s, a group of divers tried to raise the America. They wanted to bring it to Duluth. Their plan was to turn it into a museum ship. However, this attempt also failed. Strong storms on Lake Superior caused problems. There were also rumors that a diver sabotaged the effort. This diver supposedly wanted the America to stay underwater.
America Today: An Underwater Site
The America shipwreck lies along a steep underwater cliff. Some parts of the wreck are as deep as 85 feet. Other parts are only two feet from the surface. Visitors arriving in Washington Harbor can easily see it. The ship is about 190 feet from Isle Royale. The main body of the ship is still whole. The rooms below deck and the back of the ship are also intact. The front part of the ship's upper structure is gone. This is due to weather and earlier salvage attempts. You can see the effects of winter ice as deep as 30 feet. Changes from past attempts to raise the ship are also visible.
The America is one of the most popular shipwrecks for diving. It's located in Isle Royale National Park. In 2009, over 210 dives were made to the America. This was out of 1062 dives to all wrecks in the park. Because so many people dive there, and due to lake movement, the wreck is slowly breaking down. Many small items have been taken from the wreck by divers looking for souvenirs.
To protect the wreck, Isle Royale National Park works with the Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society (GLSPS). They work together to preserve and watch over the America. In 1996, the GLSPS fixed one of the ship's walls. They have also reattached other pieces. Their goal is to help keep the ship stable underwater.
One of the America's lifeboats was once on display. It was at the America dock in Snug Harbor. This is in the Rock Harbor Channel on Isle Royale. However, it was washed into the lake in 2017.
