Shipwreck Report: Wasaga (aka Wissahickon)

Identification & Site Information

• Name(s): Wasaga (also known as Wissahickon)
• Registry: U.S.
• Official Number: 80598
• Vessel Type: Package Freighter
• Year Built: 1876
• Year Sank: 1910
• Hull Material: Wood
• Engines: None
• Dimensions
• Length: 238 ft (72.54 m)
• Width: 36 ft (10.97 m)
• Depth: 15 ft (4.57 m)

Vessel History

The Wasaga, originally named Wissahickon, was a wooden package freighter constructed in 1876. Package freighters were integral to Great Lakes commerce, transporting smaller, high-value cargo such as manufactured goods, agricultural equipment, and building materials.

The vessel met its fate in 1910, sinking in Lake Superior near Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. The exact circumstances of its sinking are unclear, but the wreck’s condition suggests a violent end, potentially exacerbated by the harsh weather conditions that are common in the region.

For more historical details:

• Great Lakes Historical Society Record
• Keweenaw Underwater Preserve
• 3DShipwrecks – Wasaga

Wreck Site Information

• Lake: Lake Superior
• State/Province: Michigan
• Depth: 35 ft (10.67 m)
• GPS Coordinates: 47° 28.215′ N, 087° 52.976′ W

Site Description:

The wreck of the Wasaga is highly disintegrated, with only a portion of the vessel’s bottom structure remaining intact on the lakebed. Notable features include:

• Ship Components:

• No recognizable marine machinery remains, as it was salvaged after the vessel sank.

• A section of the ship’s bottom structure is the primary identifiable remnant.

• Cargo:

• A large mound of bricks and another of ceramic pipe are prominent features of the site.

• Numerous farm implements, gears, and other remnants of its cargo remain scattered around the wreck.

• Additional cargo not included in the site model may still be present, partially buried in sediment.

Diving Notes & Advisories

• Depth Consideration:

At a depth of 35 ft (10.67 m), the site is easily accessible to snorkelers and recreational divers.

• Visibility:

Lake Superior’s cold, clear waters often offer excellent Visibility, though currents and weather conditions can affect clarity.

• Preservation Status:

The site is protected under Michigan law as part of the Keweenaw Underwater Preserve. Divers should refrain from disturbing or removing artifacts.

Site Significance

The Wasaga provides a window into the commerce of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its remaining cargo offering a tangible connection to the era’s industrial and agricultural economies. The scattered cargo, including farm implements and building materials, underscores the vessel’s role in transporting high-value goods across the Great Lakes.

Despite its disintegrated state, the wreck is an excellent site for divers interested in shipwrecks and underwater archaeology. Its location within the Keweenaw Underwater Preserve ensures its continued protection and accessibility for recreational exploration.

3D Model – Wasaga

Wasaga by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

Keywords:

Wasaga shipwreck, Wissahickon freighter, Lake Superior wrecks, Keweenaw Underwater Preserve, Great Lakes package freighters, shallow wreck dives.