Wreck Report: SAINTE MARIE

Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: SAINTE MARIE

•Type: Wooden Car Ferry (converted to Barge)

•Year Built: 1893

•Builder: Detroit Dry Dock Co., Wyandotte, Michigan

•Original Operator: Mackinac Transportation Co.

•Dimensions:

•Length: 288 feet (90 meters)

•Beam: 53 feet (16.2 meters)

•Depth (Hull): 19.6 feet (6 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 1357 tons

•Coordinates:

•Primary Position: Latitude 45° 59.344’ N, Longitude 83° 53.848’ W

•Alternate Position: Latitude 45° 59.351’ N, Longitude 83° 53.792’ W

•Location: Near Frying Pan Island, Lake Huron, south of DeTour Village, Michigan

•Depth: 0–10 feet (0–3 meters)

Vessel Type Description

The SAINTE MARIE was originally a wooden passenger and rail car Ferry designed to transport passengers and rail cars between Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, Michigan. Built in 1893, it served as an essential link for commerce and travel across the Straits of Mackinac before the construction of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957.

Following its retirement in 1912, the vessel was repurposed into a Barge for salvage, dock, and dredging operations by T. L. Durocher of DeTour, Michigan. After years of service in this new role, the vessel was Abandoned in 1928 near Frying Pan Island.

History

•1893–1912: Operated as a passenger and rail car Ferry across the Straits of Mackinac.

•1912: Retired and sold to T. L. Durocher, who converted the vessel into a Barge for industrial purposes.

•1928: Officially Abandoned in DeTour Passage, near Frying Pan Island, Michigan.

After its abandonment, the SAINTE MARIE became a prominent feature of the DeTour shoreline. Its remains, visible above the waterline, serve as a tangible connection to the region’s maritime history.

Current Condition

The SAINTE MARIE is now in a state of advanced deterioration, with much of the wreck above the waterline. While accessible from the shore, its condition and location make it less appealing to divers due to the following:

•Above-water exposure: Large portions of the wreck are above the surface, limiting its underwater exploration potential.

•Hazards: The deteriorating structure poses risks such as sharp edges and unstable sections.

Dive Suitability

•Depth: 0–10 feet (0–3 meters), extremely shallow and largely above water.

•Accessibility: The wreck can be accessed via a nearby park in DeTour Village.

•Diving Suitability: The site is not ideal for diving but may interest snorkelers or history enthusiasts due to its Visibility and proximity to shore.

NOTMARs & Advisories

•Hazards to Navigation: The wreck is partially visible above the waterline and does not pose a significant hazard to navigation.

•Environmental Considerations: Efforts to preserve the site should focus on protecting it as a historical artifact rather than an ecological feature.

Tags

•SAINTE MARIE

•Lake Huron Wrecks

•Car Ferry to Barge

•Frying Pan Island

•DeTour Passage

•Great Lakes Maritime History

Conclusion

The SAINTE MARIE, now a prominent wreck near DeTour Village, tells a story of adaptation and maritime history on the Great Lakes. While unsuitable for divers due to its shallow and deteriorated state, the wreck remains a significant historical landmark visible from the water’s surface. Its story as a vital transport link and later as an industrial Barge makes it a fascinating piece of Lake Huron’s maritime heritage.