3D Shipwrecks is proud to announce the release of our latest high-resolution photogrammetry model: the 104-foot steam barge J.M. Allmendinger, built in 1883 in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Designed for the bustling lumber trade of Lake Michigan, the Allmendinger spent her working life transporting timber between regional ports. Like many working vessels of the era, she faced the full force of Great Lakes weather — and developed a notable history of running aground along Lake Michigan’s shifting beaches. In fact, she stranded five times during her career. Each time but the last, another steamer or tug managed to pull her free.
Her final grounding came in 1895, fourteen miles north of Milwaukee, during a storm that proved too much to overcome. The U.S. Life-Saving Service successfully rescued her crew, but the vessel herself could not be saved. After the stranding, her machinery was stripped, and Lake Michigan’s relentless storms eventually pounded the hull to pieces.
Today, the remains of the J.M. Allmendinger rest in shallow water, making the site a popular destination for snorkelers and kayakers. What was once a hardworking lumber carrier is now an accessible and historically rich underwater landscape.
The 3D Model
This new digital reconstruction was created from 1,777 30-megapixel images captured during the 2025 season by Ken Merryman. The result is a detailed and immersive model that allows viewers to explore the wreck site in remarkable clarity — preserving its current condition through no-touch documentation.
Explore the model here:
https://3dshipwrecks.org/shipwreck-j-m-allmendinger/
For additional historical details and site information, see the Shotline Diving wreck profile:
https://shotlinediving.com/wreck/j-m-allmendinger-us-76411/
As always, 3D Shipwrecks remains committed to responsible documentation and the preservation of Great Lakes maritime heritage through advanced imaging and public access.
Stay tuned for more releases from the 2025 field season.