IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: Gogebic (later renamed Green River)

•Vessel Type: Wooden Bulk Propeller (converted to a Barge in 1921)

•Built: October 1887, Wheeler’s Shipyard, West Bay City, Michigan

•Original Dimensions:

•Length: 227.2 feet (69.3 meters)

•Beam: 40.4 feet (12.3 meters)

•Depth: 19.4 feet (5.9 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 1,680 tons

•Net Tonnage: 1,312 tons

•Final Dimensions (as Green River): Approximately 230 feet in length

•Depth at Wreck Site: 80 feet (26 meters)

•Location: Welcome Island, Thunder Bay, Lake Superior

•Coordinates: 48°21.932′ N, 89°8.575′ W

VESSEL DESCRIPTION

The Gogebic was a wooden bulk freighter designed to serve the robust trade routes of Lake Superior. Constructed with a sturdy wooden Hull and powered by an advanced triple-expansion steam engine, the vessel was emblematic of 19th-century Great Lakes shipbuilding. The Gogebic featured:

•Triple Expansion Engine: Cylinder sizes of 20, 32, and 52 inches with a 40-inch stroke.

•Boilers: Twin Scotch boilers measuring 10 x 12 feet, supplied by S.F. Hodge & Co., Detroit.

The ship’s robust design and machinery allowed it to handle bulk cargoes such as coal, iron ore, and grain. Initially owned by the Mills Transportation Co., it operated extensively in Lake Superior’s trade routes under Captain Alvin Neal.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Service (1887–1921)

The Gogebic was launched in October 1887 and immediately began service for the Mills Transportation Co., catering to the growing demands of the Great Lakes trade. Its advanced engine and significant cargo capacity made it an efficient and reliable vessel in transporting bulk goods across Lake Superior.

Conversion to Barge (1921)

By 1921, as steel-hulled ships became the industry standard, the Gogebic was deemed outdated as a powered freighter. The vessel was converted into a Barge and renamed Green River. Its registration was transferred to Canada (Official Number: C 138863), marking a new chapter in its operational life as a towed vessel.

Scuttling and Final Disposition (1932)

In 1932, after years of service, the Green River was dismantled and its Hull scuttled outside Welcome Island in Thunder Bay, Lake Superior. On November 5, 1932, the vessel was deliberately sunk to create an underwater resting place.

WRECK INFORMATION

Current Condition

The Green River’s remains lie at a depth of 80 feet (26 meters), outside Welcome Island in Thunder Bay. While the vessel was dismantled prior to scuttling, the wooden Hull is still partially intact. The wreck provides divers with an opportunity to explore remnants of a historic Great Lakes Barge.

Diving Conditions

•Depth: 80 feet (26 meters)

•Visibility: Conditions in Lake Superior are often favorable for exploration due to cold, clear water that helps preserve wreckage.

•Accessibility: The wreck site is suitable for recreational divers with moderate experience, given its depth and location in open water.

LEGACY

The Gogebic/Green River represents a transitional period in Great Lakes maritime history. Its construction reflected the dominance of wooden bulk freighters in the late 19th century, while its Conversion and eventual scuttling underscore the shift to more durable steel-hulled vessels in the 20th century.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Frank Wheeler & Co. Shipbuilding Records: A master list documenting vessels built by Wheeler’s Shipyard.

•Institute for Great Lakes Research (Perrysburg, Ohio): Historical data and ship specifications.

•Contemporary Newspaper Articles: The Marine Record and Port Huron Daily Times (October 1887).

•Great Lakes Shipwreck Database: Detailed records of scuttled and sunken vessels in Lake Superior.

•Shipwreck Explorers: Dive logs and insights on the Green River wreck.

KEYWORDS

Gogebic, Green River, Welcome Island, Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, wooden bulk freighter, Great Lakes shipwrecks, 19th-century maritime history, Barge Conversion, scuttled vessels.