SS Florida
Package Freighter · United States · Lost 1897 · Thunder Bay & Lake Huron
A large wooden package freighter sunk in a fog-bound collision with the steamer George W. Roby in 1897.
Become Captain of RecordSee Shipwreck on Map
The Vessel and Her Loss
Florida was a wooden package freighter built in 1889 at Buffalo, New York, carrying general cargo and wheat on the Great Lakes. On May 21, 1897, in dense fog off False Presque Isle, she was struck by the steamer George W. Roby and sank. The wreck now lies broken at the point of impact in more than 200 feet of water within Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Vessel
- 1889
- US registry no. 120753
- Robert Mills & Company
- Buffalo, New York
- Wood
- 270 ft
- 40 ft
- 2103
- Steam, triple expansion, single screw
- Peter P. Miller
Loss
- May 21, 1897
- Collision
- Off False Presque Isle, Lake Huron
- Lake Huron
- Not established
- Package freight and wheat
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- 206 ft
- Broken in two at the collision point.
- Not established
- Not established
- Within Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Position
- 45.296° N 83.284° W
- Surveyed position
- False Presque Isle, Michigan
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (78/100)
Casualty details for this loss are not established in the sources reviewed.
NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Build, dimensions, loss date, depth, position.
Ownership and collision detail.
