Posted by Brendon Baillod on November 12, 19103 at 09:51:53:
Thanks to everyone who participated in the Westmoreland discussion last night. We all learned a good deal about the vessel and the various historical claims of her discovery from a number of people who've actually looked for her. It was great fun.
The next chat will be next Tuesday at 8 PM Central and will focus on the steamer Choctaw that was run down off Presque Isle on Lake Huron in 1915. She has been the subject of a number of searches. Her basic info, courtesy of David Swayze is as follows:
Vessel Name: CHOCTAW
Other Names: none
Build Info: 1892, Cleveland Shipbuilding, Cleveland hull# 17
Type at loss: propeller, steel, bulk freight Official No: 126874
Specs: 267x38x18 1574g 1256n
Date of Loss: 1915, Jul 12
Type of Loss: collision Lake: Huron
Accident Place: off Presque Isle, MI
Cargo: ?
Loss of Life: none (10?)
Detail: CHOCTAW collided with the steamer WAHCONDAH in fog and sank quickly. The typically low profile that a whaleback had when loaded may have contributed to the accident. Owned by Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co.Sunk by a collision with the steamer L.C. WALDO in the St. Mary's R, May 20, 1896. Sister of steamer ANDASTE when built.
Sources: eas,slh,gs,mol,sol,sagl,ns2,mpl,hcgl