Mecosta is a fresh water dive site, located in Bay Village, OH. The maximum depth is 41-50ft/12-15m.
Greenwood states: "Launched as a bulk freighter. She was converted to a combination bulk freighter and automobile carrier at Great Lakes Engineering Works, Ecorse, Michigan in 1919. Addition of a small elevator amidship to lower and raise new automobiles did little to change the overall appearance of this ship.
This wooden vessel was launched on March 11, 1888, and was named for Mecosta, Michigan. The name was chosen because Mecosta was the site of a lumber mill, which jointly was owned by the ship’s original owner and the Central Michigan Pine and Plank Company. The nearby Muskegon River was used to float logs and semi-finished products to market. The site is in the west central portion of the state’s lower peninsula."
The vessel operated until October 22, 1922, when the hull was stripped of machinery at Cleveland, Ohio, and the hulk was towed to a point 8-3/4 miles north of 80 degrees west from the Cleveland pierhead light and scuttled in 48 feet of water in Lake Erie. The Mecosta lies 3 miles north of Rocky River, Ohio GPS: 41 31.850 81 53.001
Sunk in October 29, 1922.
In April of 1923 this 281’ x 40’ x 20’ 1776 ton vessel was cleared to a depth of 30 feet. Today she lies in two parts. Shortly after she was discovered, salvors attempting to recover some chain actually turned the vessel over. The wreck has many metal parts strewn about, including a winch. Divers should check out the Victorian bathtub.
The area has heavy boat traffic and many boaters haven’t a clue what a dive flag means.
