W.L. Wetmore
Built in 1871 in Cleveland, Ohio, W.L. Wetmore was an 819 ton bulk freighter measuring 213 feet in length, with a 33-foot beam and a 12.6-foot depth of hold. Over her lifetime, the vessel was rebuilt twice.
On November 29, 1901, while towing the barges Brunette and James C. King, the Wetmore entered Devil’s Island Channel loaded with lumber. In heavy seas and with poor visibility due to a snowstorm, all three vessels ran aground on Russell Reef. The crew of the Wetmore abandoned ship and safely reached Tobermory by lifeboat. Of the three vessels, only Brunette was salvaged. The Wetmore broke apart during subsequent December storms.
1871
1901
°C seasonal
Boat 1 Mooring
Bulk Freighter
Beginner, Snorkel
Conditions can change quickly with wind direction. Carry a light, SMB, compass, and cold-water exposure protection. Stay clear of overhead features unless properly trained.
Conditions can change quickly with wind direction. Carry a light, SMB, compass, and cold-water exposure protection. Stay clear of overhead features unless properly trained.
Trip Details | |
|---|---|
Departure | time |
Surface Interval | no idea |
Parking | somewhere |
Best Season | Not winter |
The wreck is heavily broken, though sections of the hull bottom and one side remain recognizable. Key features are scattered but still identifiable
- Bass
- salmon
- Stern (southwest end): Oak rudder, broken propeller, and shaft
- Midsection: Remains of the engine and boiler components
- Boilers: Intact and rising approximately 12 feet above the wreckage
- Northwest end: One anchor with a substantial length of anchor chain
