Identification & Site Information:
- Name(s): Metropole, also known as Sakie Shephard
- Registry: United States
- Official Number: 115935
- Vessel Type: Steambarge
- Year Built: 1883
- Year Sank: 1903
- Hull Material: Wood
- Engines: Steam-powered
- Dimensions:
- Length: 118 ft (35.9 m)
- Width: 22 ft (6.7 m)
- Depth: 7 ft (2.1 m)
Vessel Type
The Metropole was a wooden steambarge, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes, designed to transport cargo while utilizing steam propulsion. These vessels often carried bulk goods such as lumber, coal, or grain.
Description
Built in 1883, the Metropole served as a workhorse on the Great Lakes for two decades, ferrying cargo across the region’s vital trade routes. The vessel was powered by a steam engine and featured two masts, likely used for auxiliary sails to assist in propulsion and stability.
In 1903, the Metropole sank in Lake Huron under circumstances not well-documented. Despite the loss, the vessel remains in exceptional condition, likely due to the cold, fresh waters of Lake Huron, which slow the decomposition process and preserve shipwrecks.
Final Dispositions
The wreck of the Metropole lies at a depth of 150 ft (45.7 m) in Lake Huron.
• The shipwreck sits upright and is nearly totally intact, a rarity among Great Lakes wrecks.
• Both the bow and Stern cabins are complete.
• The pilot house remains intact, offering a glimpse into the vessel’s operational areas.
• The wreck still retains its two masts, adding to its historical and archaeological value.
Located By & Date Found
The exact GPS coordinates of the wreck have not been disclosed to protect the site from unauthorized exploration and potential looting. The wreck is well-known among advanced divers and maritime historians as one of the best-preserved steambarges in the Great Lakes.
NOTMARs & Advisories
The depth of the Metropole requires advanced diving skills and appropriate equipment, including technical diving certification, due to the 150 ft depth. The site is protected as an underwater cultural resource, and divers are encouraged to avoid disturbing the wreck or removing artifacts.
Resources & Links
3DModel – Metropole
Metropole by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab
Keywords, Categories, Glossary
Keywords: Metropole, Sakie Shephard, Lake Huron Shipwrecks, Steambarge, Intact Wrecks
Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Steam-Powered Vessels
Glossary: Steambarge, Pilot House, Bow Cabin, Stern Cabin, Intact Masts
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