SHIPWRECK REPORT: UNKNOWN VESSEL (VESSLTERMS “UNKNOWN”)

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: Unknown

• Type: Wooden sailing vessel, sheathed in steel

• Feature Type: Visible wreck

• Location (Final Accurate Position):

• Latitude: 46° 36′ 16.29″ N

• Longitude: 90° 56′ 48.96″ W

• Decimal Coordinates: 46.604458, -90.947119

• Surrounding Area:

• Found within Lake Superior, northwest of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

• Located in shallow water with a height of 6 feet at Lowest Water Depth (LWD).

VESSEL DESCRIPTION

• Type: Wooden sailing vessel

• Orientation: Northwest-Southeast (NW-SE)

• Dimensions:

• Length: Approximately 30 feet

• Height Above Bottom: Between 4 and 7.9 feet depending on water level

• Hull Construction: Wooden Hull sheathed in steel

HISTORY AND SURVEY INFORMATION

Initial Surveys (1978-1980):

• The wreck was first classified as Class 1, meaning it was a visible feature.

• Position: LAT 46° 36′ 14.50″ N, LONG 90° 56′ 47.80″ W.

• Height: 4 feet above the bottom.

Subsequent Surveys (1983-1985):

• A 1983 survey confirmed the wreck’s Visibility with a height of 7.9 feet at LWD.

• Position (1983): LAT 46° 36′ 16″ N, LONG 90° 56′ 49″ W.

• The wreck was described as approximately 50 feet long at this time.

• Evaluator’s Review: Discredited this position and provided more accurate coordinates.

Accurate Positioning (1984-1985):

• Final Coordinates: LAT 46° 36′ 16.29″ N, LONG 90° 56′ 48.96″ W.

• Confirmed the wreck’s dimensions as 30 feet in length and a height of 6 feet at LWD.

CURRENT CONDITION

• Visibility:

• The wreck is a visible feature, with part of its structure protruding above the water in shallow conditions.

• Access:

• The site is accessible for shallow-water diving and recreational exploration.

• Recommended for historical study due to its good Visibility and condition.

NAVIGATION CONSIDERATIONS

• Charting Status:

• Marked as a visible wreck on nautical charts.

• Identified as a high-quality feature due to accurate positioning and surveys.

• Mariner Advice:

• Exercise caution in the area, particularly during low water levels.

SIGNIFICANCE

This wreck serves as an example of early wooden sailing vessels in the Great Lakes, illustrating the transition between wood and steel in shipbuilding. Its orientation and visible structure make it an excellent site for divers, archaeologists, and historians studying maritime history in Lake Superior.

REFERENCES

• Hydrographic Surveys (1978–1985)

• Marine Safety Manual (MSM)

• NOAA Nautical Charts

CONCLUSION

The unknown wreck near 46.604458, -90.947119 remains a fascinating relic of Lake Superior’s maritime heritage. Its visible structure, wooden Hull sheathed in steel, and well-documented history provide valuable insights into 19th- and early 20th-century vessel construction and navigation in the Great Lakes.

KEYWORDS

#LakeSuperior #Shipwreck #VisibleWreck #WoodenSailingVessel #MaritimeHistory #NavigationHazard