Shipwreck Report: Chuck’s Barge

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Wreck Name: Chuck’s Barge
• Type: Barge
• Dimensions: 50 feet (15.24 meters)
• Location: Lake Michigan, near Fayette, Michigan
• Coordinates: N 45° 50.810’, W 085° 50.860’
• Depth: Not specified, presumed within recreational diving range based on regional characteristics.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

Chuck’s Barge is a wooden Barge, a utilitarian vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes for transporting heavy materials such as timber, coal, or construction goods. Barges like this played a critical role in the industrial economy of the region during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Due to their simplicity, they often lacked propulsion systems and relied on tugboats to move between destinations.

HISTORY

The specific history of Chuck’s Barge is currently unknown. It likely served in the regional commerce of the Great Lakes, supporting industries along the shores of Lake Michigan. Fayette, Michigan, where the wreck is located, was a significant site for iron smelting in the late 19th century. Barges operating in this area often carried iron ore, charcoal, or finished Pig Iron, making it likely that Chuck’s Barge was part of this industrial activity.

Possible Scenarios for Loss:

• Weather Conditions: Storms on Lake Michigan have claimed numerous barges due to their inability to navigate independently.
• Structural Failure: Overuse and limited maintenance could have led to the Barge’s sinking.
• Intentional Scuttling: Many barges were scuttled to create artificial reefs or dispose of unusable vessels.

FINAL DISPOSITION

Status: The wreck lies submerged near Fayette, Michigan, at the provided coordinates. Its exact condition is not well-documented, but it is likely in a deteriorated state due to its age and exposure to environmental conditions.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with Chuck’s Barge, Divers exploring the site should be cautious of potential hazards such as fishing lines, sharp wreckage, or unstable debris.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck is known to local divers and may have been identified during routine explorations in the region. The precise date of its discovery is not recorded.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

Condition: Likely degraded due to the prolonged submersion and exposure to the elements. Remains may be partially buried in the lakebed or obscured by sedimentation.

Accessibility:

Suitable for divers with basic wreck diving experience due to presumed shallow depth and location near shore.Visibility may vary depending on weather and water conditions in the area.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Fayette Historic State Park: Local history resources and potential connections to the wreck.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database: For records of barges and similar vessels operating in the area.

KEYWORDS

#Chuck’s Barge #Lake Michigan Shipwrecks #Fayette, Michigan #Wooden Barge #Great Lakes Diving #Industrial Maritime History

CONCLUSION

Chuck’s Barge serves as a small but notable reminder of the industrial and maritime history of Lake Michigan. Located near the historically significant Fayette region, the wreck offers an accessible and potentially fascinating site for divers and history enthusiasts. Further exploration and research could uncover more details about its construction, operation, and the circumstances of its sinking, contributing to the broader narrative of Great Lakes shipwrecks.