The Wreck Today: Located in 1969 by diver George Walton, the Admiral sits upright in 75 feet of water. While many artifacts, including the bell and all pilothouse equipment, have been removed, the vessel is essentially intact. The crew quarters and galley are silted in. The pilothouse and engine room may be penetrated with caution. The stack lies against the port side gunnel amidships. At one time the name was clearly legible on the bow, however, zebra mussels now cover the bow and obscure the name. Over the years, the Admiral has continued to sink. When first discovered her stern was well above the bottom of the lake. Today, the stern is almost entirely silted over.
Early divers found evidence of the towline being fowled in the prop. The position of the wreck indicates she went down stern heavy. The most likely senario is a combination of the ice accumulating on the stern and the fouled towline caused the tug to sink as a wave overtook her.
Early divers found evidence of the towline being fowled in the prop. The position of the wreck indicates she went down stern heavy. The most likely senario is a combination of the ice accumulating on the stern and the fouled towline caused the tug to sink as a wave overtook her.
Admiral
Additional information on the Admiral is on page 8 of Erie Wrecks West.
Location: 10.6 miles 352ºT from Rocky River, Ohio Depth: 70 feet
Coordinates: LORAN: 43808.9 57412.7 GPS: 41 38.244 81 54.197
Official #: 222239
Lies: bow south
Type: tug Cargo: tanker barge Cleveco
Power: 800 horsepower steam engine
Owner(s) Cleveland Tankers, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio
Built: 1922 at Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Dimensions: 93.3’ x 22.1’ x 11.7’ Tonnage: 130 gross 88 net
Date of Loss: Wednesday, December 2, 1942
Cause of Loss: storm
Coordinates: LORAN: 43808.9 57412.7 GPS: 41 38.244 81 54.197
Official #: 222239
Lies: bow south
Type: tug Cargo: tanker barge Cleveco
Power: 800 horsepower steam engine
Owner(s) Cleveland Tankers, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio
Built: 1922 at Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Dimensions: 93.3’ x 22.1’ x 11.7’ Tonnage: 130 gross 88 net
Date of Loss: Wednesday, December 2, 1942
Cause of Loss: storm
Drawing by Georgann Wachter