Identification & Site Information

Vessel Type Description

The Smith Moore was a wooden-hulled steam Barge designed for the grain and ore trade of the Great Lakes. Equipped with Screw Propulsion and built for durability, steam barges like the Smith Moore carried bulk cargoes of grain, coal, and iron ore, while also providing towing services to consort vessels. The vessel was typical of the late 19th century transition to large, efficient wooden propeller freighters that supported the industrial boom of the Great Lakes region.

History

1880: Built by George Presley & Co., Cleveland, for Smith Moore et al. and entered service in the grain and ore trade between Cleveland, OH, and Marquette, MI.

1881: Grounded in Toledo, Ohio, but refloated and repaired.

1884: Damaged by fire in Sandusky, Ohio, while unloading cargo.

1885: Ownership transferred to H.H. Brown and others of Cleveland; used in towing operations, assisting schooners and barges including the Grace Holland, Juda, and S.H. Kimball.

1887: Boiler Rebuilt by Iron Bay Manufacturing Co.

Final Voyage & Sinking

On 13 July 1889, the Smith Moore was downbound with 1,743 tons of iron ore when she collided in dense fog with the Steamer James Pickand off Grand Island, Lake Superior. The fog lifted shortly after, and the M.M. Drake attempted to tow her to Munising, but the vessel sank before reaching safety. Official enrollment documents were surrendered in December 1889, closing the registry.

Final Disposition

The Smith Moore was declared a Total Loss following her collision and sinking in Lake Superior. Today, she lies upright in 105 ft (33 m) of water near Grand Island, within accessible diving range. The cold, fresh waters have helped preserve portions of her Hull, engine, and fittings.

3D Model – Smith Moore

Diving Notes & Advisories

• Depth: ~105 ft (33 m) — accessible to advanced recreational divers.
• Visibility: Generally good in summer months, though subject to seasonal algae blooms.
• Hazards: Cold water (approx. 39–45°F), overhead structures, entanglement.
• Preservation: Within the Alger Underwater Preserve; removal of artifacts is prohibited under Michigan law.

Significance

The Smith Moore is an important example of a late 19th-century wooden steam Barge. Her history of accidents, repairs, and eventual sinking reflects the risks of Great Lakes navigation during an era of rapid industrial expansion. Today, she serves as a well-preserved dive site and a reminder of the hazards faced by mariners on Lake Superior.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Maritime Database – Smith Moore
• Alger Underwater Preserve
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• 3DShipwrecks – Smith Moore

NOAA / WHS Shipwreck Record Card

Keywords

#SmithMoore #LakeSuperior #SteamBarge #Shipwreck #GreatLakesHistory #MunisingWrecks #AlgerUnderwaterPreserve