IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• •Name: Emma E. Thompson
• Other Names: None
• Type: Bulk Freighter (Wooden), 1-Mast
• Built in 1875, Saginaw, Michigan
• Builder: D.F. Edwards
• Specifications: Length: 126.1 feet (38.4 m) Beam: 25 feet (7.6 m) Depth: 9.8 feet (3 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 260 tons
• Net Tonnage: 176 tons
• Engine: High-pressure single-cylinder engine, 22 x 22 inches, 380 horsepower
  Built by W.B. Hatch Company, St. Joseph, Michigan, 1875
  Date of Loss: May 24, 1914
• Place of Loss: North Channel, Lake Huron, near Innes Island
• Coordinates: N46 04.096’ W082 19.450’
• Depth: 22 feet (6.7 m) of fresh water

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Emma E. Thompson was a wooden bulk freighter with a single mast and Screw Propulsion. Built in 1875, the vessel was optimized for carrying heavy cargo, especially lumber, across the Great Lakes. Its design and high-pressure engine allowed it to meet the rigorous demands of 19th-century shipping. Over its operational life, it underwent modifications, including temporary Conversion into a Schooner before reverting to a screw Steamer.

HISTORY

Launched in April 1875, the Emma E. Thompson had a storied operational life marked by resilience and misfortune. Despite early setbacks, including grounding incidents and a boiler explosion, the vessel remained in service for nearly four decades, navigating the challenging waters of the Great Lakes.

Key Incidents:

• 1875: Boiler explosion and grounding during its first year.
• 1880s: Multiple ownership changes and a collision with the Schooner Kate Lyons.
• 1881: Rebuilt and remeasured, continuing service on the Chicago–Muskegon route.
• 1901: Capsized near Charlevoix, Michigan; the vessel was salvaged and returned to service.

Final Voyage:

On May 24, 1914, while seeking shelter behind Innes Island in the North Channel of Lake Huron, the Emma E. Thompson caught fire. The blaze, possibly ignited by an engine room mishap, engulfed the vessel. The crew was rescued by the passing propeller vessel Germanic. Despite the rescue, the ship burned to the waterline and sank. The wreck now rests at a depth of 22 feet near Innes Island.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Emma E. Thompson was lost to fire on May 24, 1914. The wreck lies in 22 feet of water in the North Channel of Lake Huron, near Innes Island. Burned to the waterline, the remaining structure serves as an accessible site for divers and a historical point of interest.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

• Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs): None specific to this wreck.
• Advisories: Divers should exercise caution around submerged debris and ensure proper safety measures when navigating shallow wreck sites.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck, resting at 22 feet (6.7 m), is accessible to divers of varying skill levels. Although largely burned, portions of the Hull and other structural remnants are visible. The shallow depth and historical significance make it an attractive site for recreational and historical diving.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Great Lakes Vessels Database
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Library and Archives Canada
• David Swayze’s Shipwreck File
• NOAA Shipwreck Database

KEYWORDS #Emma E. Thompson, #Lake Huron, #North Channel, #Wooden Freighter, #Shipwreck, #Lumber Trade, #Maritime History, Great Lakes Vessels.

CONCLUSION

The Emma E. Thompson embodies the challenges and resilience of 19th- and early 20th-century maritime life on the Great Lakes. Despite a career punctuated by incidents and adversity, the vessel contributed significantly to the regional lumber trade. Its fiery demise in 1914 marked the end of an era for this durable freighter. Today, the Emma E. Thompson’s wreck site offers a unique window into Great Lakes history and the evolution of maritime commerce.