JOHN W. CULLEN (formerly GEORGE C. MARKHAM)

Type: Bulk Carrier (originally Lumber Carrier, later Sand Dredge)

Lengths: 141 ft (43 m)

Depths: 5–40 ft (1.5–12 m)

Location: Frying Pan Island, Lake Huron

GPS Coordinates: 45º 59.351’ N, 83º 53.792’ W

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: JOHN W. CULLEN (formerly GEORGE C. MARKHAM)

• Other Names: GEORGE C. MARKHAM

• Construction:

• Builder: Milwaukee Shipyard Co.

• Year Built: 1883

• Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

• Dimensions:

• Length: 141 ft (43 m)

• Beam: 28 ft (8.5 m)

• Depth: 10.4 ft (3.2 m)

• Gross Tonnage: 309 tons

• Original Owner: Fitzgerald family, Milwaukee

HISTORY

• 1883: Built as GEORGE C. MARKHAM, operated as a lumber carrier.

• 1899: Sold to Thomas Munroe of Muskegon, Michigan; continued as a lumber carrier.

• 1914: Purchased by George A. Douglas, Detroit, Michigan, and converted into a sand Dredge.

• 1923: Renamed JOHN W. CULLEN after further ownership changes.

• Final Disposition: Sank near Frying Pan Island at DeTour, Michigan.

• Purchased by T.L. Durocher with plans to raise and restore, but these plans were never completed.

SITE DESCRIPTION

• The wreck lies approximately 600 ft (183 m) north of Frying Pan Island and just south of the Sainte Marie wreck.

• Depths range from 5 ft (1.5 m) to 40 ft (12 m).

• The Hull remains largely intact, but machinery, including the boiler, engine, and sand dredging equipment, has been salvaged.

• Location: North of DeTour Passage, close to shore, providing protection from wave action.

• Accessibility:

• The site is accessible from a nearby park in DeTour, Michigan.

• Latitude: 45º 59.351’ North, Longitude: 83º 53.792’ West.

• Diveable in most weather conditions due to its sheltered location.

DIVE NOTES

• The wreck’s shallow depth and proximity to shore make it an excellent dive site for divers of various skill levels.

• It serves as an alternative dive site when Lake Huron conditions are too rough.

• Divers should also explore the nearby Sainte Marie wreck for a dual wreck dive experience.

REFERENCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Bowling Green State University – Great Lakes Ships

• Great Lakes Ships

This version keeps the narrative structured and easy to read, while incorporating all key details. shore at a nearby park in DeTour, Michigan. It has Lat/Long Coordinates of Latitude: 45º 59.351’ North and Longitude: 83º 53.792’ West.