Wreckhunter.net

Hunting New England Shipwrecks

Portland

Click on thumbnail image for a larger view

portland3-mhs.JPG (38658 bytes)

portland4-mainemaracad.JPG (32321 bytes)

Steamer Portland
(Maine Historical Society)

 Portland battles gale
(Allie Ryan collection
Maine State Museum)

portland-sonar3.jpg (36892 bytes)

portland-nyt-11-30-98.JPG (36853 bytes)

Portland side-scan image
note walking beam
(NOAA - 2003)

New York Times report
November 30, 1898
(Author's collection) 

portland-poster-seahist.JPG (74244 bytes)

portland-hazegray.jpg (57742 bytes)

Steamer advertisement
(Sea History magazine)

Photo of ship
(hazegray.org)

The table below provides historical and statistical data on the vessel. Some of the information may be incomplete. If you have additions or corrections, please e-mail us at the address listed below.

Shipwreck Data
Vessel Name Portland
Other Names  
Vessel Type Passenger Steamer
Owner Portland Steam Packet Co.
Length / Beam / Draft (feet) 281' / 42' / 15'
Tonnage 2,284
Hull Construction Wood
Propulsion Steam / Sidewheels
Cargo Passengers and general freight
Built 1889 at Bath, ME
Date of Loss November 27, 1898 (Portland Gale)
Reason for Loss Disappeared in storm
Fatalities 175 (all on board)
Location Massachusetts Bay, midway between Gloucester and Provincetown, MA -- located within the Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary
Coordinates (Lat/Lon)  
Coordinates (Loran C)  
Water Depth (feet) 460'
Typical Visibility (feet)  
Wreck Condition Hull partially intact and upright
Diving Considerations Too deep for recreational diving. Also, since the wreck is located in a marine sanctuary, no diving or disruption of the site is allowed.
Other Information For more images and information on the Portland, see: 
http://www.hazegray.org/features/1898gale/
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s971.htm 
http://stellwagen.nos.noaa.gov/about/newsreleases/2002pr11-26noaa.html
Attention Divers
The information on this page was obtained from a variety of sources. Although we have attempted to make it as accurate as possible, it may contain errors.  For your personal safety, use extreme caution when diving on this wreck.

For more information on this wreck's location and history, and water and diving conditions in the area, contact local dive shop personnel, dive charter boat operators and local fishermen. Also check out the other shipwreck Websites listed on our Favorite Links page.

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