IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Wreck Name: IRON CHIEF
• Type: Wooden Propeller (originally built as a Schooner, later converted to a bulk propeller)
• Date of Incident: October 3, 1904
• Location: Approximately 10 miles northeast of Point Au Barques, Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron
• Coordinates: 44° 05.612′  N 082° 42.575′ W
• Depth: Not specified, presumed deep enough to make salvage difficult
• Condition: Total Loss

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The IRON CHIEF was a wooden-hulled vessel built in 1881 as a Schooner. Later, it underwent Conversion into a bulk propeller, reflecting the growing demand for larger and more efficient vessels on the Great Lakes. Measuring 212 feet in length with a beam of 35 feet and a depth of 17 feet, the vessel was sizable for its time. It had a Gross Tonnage of 1,154 and a Net Tonnage of 996, making it capable of carrying substantial cargo loads, including coal, its cargo at the time of the sinking.

HISTORY

The IRON CHIEF had a long career, starting as a Schooner before being modified into a bulk propeller, a type of vessel optimized for carrying heavy bulk cargoes such as coal, iron ore, and grain. Owned by James Corrigan of Cleveland, the vessel played a role in the bustling maritime trade of the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

On October 3, 1904, while crossing Saginaw Bay en route to Fort William with a cargo of coal, disaster struck. The vessel’s Stern pipe broke, leading to rapid flooding of the Hull. Despite the crew’s attempts to control the flooding, the situation deteriorated, forcing them to abandon the ship.

The propeller ANDREW CARNEGIE arrived to assist, attempting to tow the stricken IRON CHIEF to safety. Unfortunately, the effort was unsuccessful, and the vessel eventually settled on the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of Lake Huron. Remarkably, the crew was safely rescued before the ship sank, avoiding any loss of life. The vessel, insured for $30,000, was considered a Total Loss.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The IRON CHIEF sank in Lake Huron northeast of Point Au Barques after its Stern pipe failed. The vessel could not be salvaged and remains submerged, adding to the numerous wrecks scattered across the Great Lakes.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

• Obstruction: No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) have been issued regarding the wreck of the IRON CHIEF.

• Advisories: Mariners navigating the waters near Point Au Barques are advised to exercise caution due to the region’s history of shipwrecks and challenging conditions.

RESOURCES & LINKS

Primary Sources:

• • Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• • David Swayze Shipwreck File
• • Great Lakes Shipwreck Research
• 3DShipwrecks – Iron Chief

Further Reading:

• “Great Lakes Shipwreck Stories” – A comprehensive account of wrecks, including the IRON CHIEF.

• Records from the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library, known for its extensive shipwreck archives.

3D Model – Iron Chief

Iron Chief by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

Iron Chief by diveprome on Sketchfab

CONCLUSION

The sinking of the IRON CHIEF highlights the perils of early 20th-century navigation on the Great Lakes. Despite its Conversion to a bulk propeller, the vessel was no match for the catastrophic failure of its Stern pipe. The crew’s safe evacuation is a testament to their preparedness and the timely intervention of the ANDREW CARNEGIE. Today, the wreck of the IRON CHIEF lies as a silent witness to the dangers faced by vessels navigating these vast inland seas.

KEYWORDS

#IRONCHIEF #LakeHuronShipwreck #PointAuBarques #SaginawBay #GreatLakesShipwrecks #JamesCorrigan #BulkPropeller #MaritimeHistory