IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• •Vessel Name: USCGC Mesquite
• •Vessel Type: U.S. Coast Guard Cutter
• •Year Built: 1943
• •Builder: Marine Iron and Shipbuilding, Duluth, Minnesota
• •Length: 180 feet
• •Wreck Location: Off the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, Lake Superior
• •Coordinates: Not publicly disclosed, but part of the Keweenaw Underwater Preserve
• •Depth: 82 to 112 feet

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The USCGC Mesquite was a 180-foot seagoing buoy tender (WLB), part of the U.S. Coast Guard fleet, built during World War II. Its primary mission was to maintain and position navigational aids, a vital role in ensuring safe passage for maritime traffic. The vessel was powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system and equipped to perform icebreaking duties.

HISTORY

The Mesquite served the U.S. Coast Guard for 47 years, primarily maintaining navigational aids on the Great Lakes. Its final assignment was retrieving buoys for the winter, a routine task complicated by the region’s severe weather.

On December 4, 1989, the Mesquite ran aground near the Keweenaw Peninsula. Efforts to free the vessel were unsuccessful due to the rapidly worsening winter weather. As ice and waves battered the Cutter, it sustained irreparable damage. Declared a Total Loss, the U.S. Coast Guard collaborated with local authorities to intentionally sink the Mesquite, transforming it into an Artificial Reef and dive site in 1990.

DIVING THE MESQUITE

The Mesquite is now the centerpiece of the Keweenaw Underwater Preserve, a popular destination for recreational divers. The wreck offers a unique combination of historical significance and underwater exploration opportunities.

Dive Features

•Exterior Exploration: Divers can view the Hull, Deck, and equipment, which remain largely intact.

•Interior Access: Experienced divers can explore the interior, including engine rooms and crew quarters.

•Pilot House: Part of the pilot house, removed during sinking preparations, lies near the Hull on the lakebed.

Depth Range

•Shallowest Point: 82 feet

•Deepest Point: 112 feet

Conditions

•Water Temperature: Cold, even during summer months, requiring proper thermal protection.

•Visibility: Excellent, typical of Lake Superior, though conditions may vary with weather.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WRECK

The sinking of the Mesquite turned a maritime tragedy into an ecological and recreational asset. The Artificial Reef provides a habitat for aquatic life while preserving the vessel’s historical legacy. It has become a premier destination for advanced divers, offering a safe yet challenging environment to explore.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Keweenaw Underwater Preserve: Official site with diving guidelines and additional resources.
• NOAA Maritime Heritage Program: Information on artificial reefs and their ecological impact.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society: Details on the Mesquite and other Great Lakes wrecks.
• Divers Alert Network (DAN): Safety tips for cold-water diving and wreck penetration.
• 3DShipwrecks – Mesquite

CONCLUSION

The USCGC Mesquite is more than just a wreck; it is a living underwater museum and reef. From its storied history as a buoy tender to its transformation into a dive site, the Mesquite offers a fascinating experience for divers while serving as a tribute to Great Lakes maritime heritage. Its excellent condition and accessible location make it a must-see site for advanced diving enthusiasts.

KEYWORDS

#USCGC Mesquite wreck #Keweenaw Peninsula shipwrecks #Lake Superior dive sites #Artificial Reef #Keweenaw Underwater Preserve #Great Lakes Coast Guard history

3D Model – Mesquite

Mesquite by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab