Shipwreck Report: RECRD 6312

Identification & Site Information

•Name: RECRD 6312

•Type: Wooden Rowboat (15 x 6 feet / 4.6 x 1.8 meters)

•Location:

•Current Coordinates: Latitude 46.251508, Longitude -84.182867

•Previous Charted Position: Latitude 46-15-06N, Longitude 84-10-58.2W

•Depth: 17 feet (5.2 meters)

•Status: Marked as a submerged dangerous wreck on nautical charts

•Hazard Classification: Dangerous to surface navigation

Vessel Type Description

The wreck is identified as a wooden rowboat, partially submerged and silt-covered. Measuring approximately 15 feet long and 6 feet wide, it likely served as a small utility or recreational vessel. Its simple construction and small size suggest it was not built for significant cargo or passenger transport.

Historical Background

The exact history of this wreck remains undocumented, with no records of its origin, purpose, or circumstances leading to its sinking.

•First Charted (1908):

•Originally added to Chart 14883 as a visible wreck with a least depth of 5 feet.

•This depth posed a significant hazard for surface navigation.

•Survey Update (1988):

•Fathometer and Diver Investigation: Identified the wreck as a wooden rowboat partially buried in silt.

•Updated the depth to 17 feet based on modern measurements.

•Adjusted the wreck’s position to latitude 46-15-05.37N and longitude 84-10-58.22W (NAD27).

Based on this data, the evaluator recommended removing the 5-foot wreck designation from charts and replacing it with the updated position and depth.

Current Condition

•Wreck Details:

•A wooden rowboat, partially submerged, with significant silt accumulation at the inshore end.

•The least depth at the site is 17 feet, based on leadline measurements.

•Navigation Hazard:

•Although deeper than initially charted, the wreck remains a marked hazard to navigation due to its location and potential obstruction risks for vessels operating in shallow waters.

NOTMARs & Advisories

•The wreck is prominently marked as a submerged dangerous wreck on nautical charts, requiring vessels to exercise caution in its vicinity.

Resources & Links

1.NOAA Nautical Charts: Updated charts reflecting the wreck’s position and depth.

NOAA Charts

2.David Swayze Shipwreck File: Additional data on wrecks in the Great Lakes.

Shipwrecks.com

3.Great Lakes Underwater Research: For insights into submerged hazards and navigational risks.

Conclusion

The wreck designated as RECRD 6312 serves as a reminder of the challenges of accurately documenting and charting underwater hazards. While its history remains unclear, the updated positioning and depth information ensure that it remains accounted for, mitigating risks for surface navigation. Mariners should exercise caution when approaching this area of Lake Superior, and the wreck continues to be marked on charts as a submerged hazard.

Keywords

#RECRD6312 #NavigationHazard #SubmergedWreck #WoodenRowboat #LakeSuperiorShipwrecks #NOAACharts