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This Historic Underwater Preserve is located in the New York Waters of Lake Champlain.
The Champlain
II was originally named the Oakes Ames when it was
launched in Burlington in 1868. It was built to ferry
railroad cars from Burlington to Plattsburgh.
In 1874 the Champlain Transportation
Co. converted Oakes Ames into one of the line vessels
for the transport of passengers and renamed it the
Champlain II.
Champlain II's career as a line vessel
was cut short on the night of July 16, 1875. While
at dock in Westport, NY, the pilots changed shifts.
John Eldredge took over the wheel from Ell Rockwell.
Rockwell would later recount that John Eldredge had
"appeared glum." The Champlain II headed
north out of Westport, and a short time later there
came a tremendous crash. It was soon evident to everyone
on board that the enormous steamer had run aground.
Up in the pilot house Rockwell had
returned to see what was amiss. Eldredge turned to
Rockwell and asked, "Can you account for my being
on the mountain?" All persons on board were safely
disembarked on shore. A subsequent investigation found
that John Eldredge had suffered from a disorder called
gout. To relieve the symptoms he had been taking morphine
and had frequented pharmacies around the lake.
Champlain II was only insured against
fire. The Lake Champlain Transportation Company tried
to recoup some of its losses by salvaging the engines
and superstructure, but the submerged stern section
was allowed to remain.
FEATURES OF INTEREST:
Size of wreck: 163' of the original
244' long hull remains, 34' wide.
The vessel's stern post is situated closest to shore
and is unstable. Avoid contact.
Note the massive engine mounts on either side.
Note the frames broken from impact near the deeper
end of the wreck.
DIVING SUGGESTIONS:
Experience level: Beginner.
Depth of water: 15' - 35'
The bottom is silty. Stay off the bottom to avoid
limited visibility.
The vessel is infested with zebra mussels. Gloves
are recommended to avoid cuts.
Beware of overhanging sections of the vessel. Watch
for fishing line. Carry a knife.
LOCATION: 44° 12.36N, 73° 22.58W
The wreck lies close to the New York
shore between Barn Rock and Rock Harbor, north of
Westport, NY, and across from Basin Harbor, VT.
The shoreline is private. Please
do not land here.
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