Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: PEWABIC
• Type: Wooden Propeller Steamer
• Year Built: 1863
• Builder: Peck & Masters, Cleveland, Ohio
• Dimensions:
• Length: 200 feet (61 meters)
• Beam: 31 feet (9.4 meters)
• Depth: 20.6 feet (6.3 meters)
• Tonnage: 997 gross tons
• Final Location: Thunder Bay, Lake Huron
• Coordinates: N44°57.890’, W83°06.236’
• Depth: 165 feet (55 meters)

Vessel Type Description

The PEWABIC was a wooden propeller ship designed for dual purposes: carrying passengers and package freight. These vessels were critical in the 19th century for connecting communities around the Great Lakes, often transporting people and high-value goods, including copper, a significant cargo of the PEWABIC.

History

Construction and Service

•Built in 1863, the PEWABIC was considered a state-of-the-art vessel for its time.

•Initially enrolled in Cleveland, Ohio, the ship’s home port was later changed to Detroit, Michigan, in May 1865.

•It operated primarily between Lakes Superior and Erie, facilitating the transport of passengers and copper—a valuable resource during the era.

The Collision and Sinking

•On August 9, 1865, the PEWABIC collided with its sister ship, the Meteor, off Thunder Bay, Michigan, near Alpena.

•The vessels were reportedly attempting to pass close to exchange mail and news when the PEWABIC unexpectedly veered into the path of the Meteor.

•The collision resulted in a gaping hole in the port bow of the PEWABIC, causing it to sink rapidly.

Casualties

•The disaster claimed the lives of at least 33 passengers and crew members, although some estimates place the death toll higher.

•Many passengers were rescued by the Meteor, with some managing to leap onto its Deck.

Salvage Attempts

•Salvage operations began as early as 1880, targeting the vessel’s valuable copper cargo.

•In 1897, dynamite and a diving bell were used to retrieve additional cargo, but the wreck remained largely intact beneath the lake.

•The cabins and upper structures were destroyed during these efforts, leaving the Hull as a solemn reminder of the tragedy.

Current Condition

•Location: The wreck rests upright in 165 feet (55 meters) of water.

•Features:

•The Hull is largely intact but shows damage from salvage operations.

•Artifacts and remnants of the copper cargo may still be present.

•Visibility: Generally good in the cold, clear waters of Lake Huron, attracting divers and researchers.

Significance

The PEWABIC represents one of the worst maritime disasters in the history of Thunder Bay and the Great Lakes. It highlights the dangers of early maritime navigation and the devastating consequences of human error. Today, the wreck serves as both a gravesite and a historical monument, drawing divers and historians intrigued by its story.

Access and Diving Information

•Diving Depth: Suitable for advanced divers due to its depth at 165 feet (55 meters).

•Hazards:

•Cold water temperatures require appropriate thermal protection.

•Strong currents in the area may pose additional challenges.

•Points of Interest:

•The relatively intact Hull structure.

•Artifacts from the ship’s operational life, including remnants of copper cargo.

Resources and Links

• NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Information on shipwrecks and conservation efforts.
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Historical documentation of Great Lakes shipwrecks.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society: Efforts to preserve maritime history and artifacts.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive data on vessels and incidents.

Tags

PEWABIC Shipwreck, Thunder Bay Shipwrecks, Lake Huron Maritime History, Great Lakes Disasters, 19th-Century Steamer Wrecks.

3D Model

Pewabic by Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary on Sketchfab