Identification & Site Information:

• Name(s): Joseph S. Fay
• Registry: United States
• Official Number: 75315
• Vessel Type: Bulk Freighter
• Year Built: 1871
• Year Sank: 1905
• Hull Material: Wood
• Engines: Steeple Compound Steam Engine

• Dimensions:

• Length: 215.6 ft (65.7 m)
• Width: 33.6 ft (10.2 m)
• Depth: 14.8 ft (4.5 m)

Vessel Type

The Joseph S. Fay was a wooden-hulled bulk freighter, a type of Great Lakes vessel designed to transport large quantities of bulk cargo such as iron ore, grain, or coal.

Description

Built in 1871, the Joseph S. Fay represented the typical design of wooden bulk freighters of the time, optimized for heavy cargo transport. It was powered initially by a single-expansion steam engine, later upgraded to a steeple compound engine to improve efficiency. It operated primarily on the Great Lakes, a critical region for commercial shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

On October 19, 1905, the vessel met its demise during a fierce storm on Lake Huron near 40 Mile Point. While towing a Barge, the Fayencountered rough seas and ultimately grounded and broke apart. All crew members were rescued, but the vessel was lost, marking the end of its 34-year career. The storm also caused widespread damage across the region, claiming several other vessels.

Final Dispositions

The Joseph S. Fay remains in shallow water at 17 ft (5.2 m) in Lake Huron near 40 Mile Point Lighthouse. The site is noted for its accessible depth, making it a popular destination for recreational divers and snorkelers. The surviving portions of the wreck include the ship’s bottom and part of the port side, along with remnants of its machinery.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck has been well-documented due to its historical significance and shallow location, making it easily observable. It is part of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which preserves and interprets significant Great Lakes shipwrecks.

NOTMARs & Advisories

The site is shallow, with clear Visibility under calm conditions, allowing for exploration by divers and snorkelers. As a protected site, visitors are encouraged to respect its historical value and adhere to local preservation guidelines.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Historical Society: Joseph S. Fay
• NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
• 3D Shipwrecks – Joesph S Fay

3D Model Joesph S. Fay

Joseph Fay by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

Joseph S. Fay by BeckyKaganSchott on Sketchfab

Joseph S. Fay Shipwreck by BeckyKaganSchott on Sketchfab

Keywords, Categories, Glossary

Keywords: Lake Huron Shipwrecks, Joseph S. Fay, Great Lakes Freighters, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, Great Lakes Maritime History, Protected Wreck Sites

Glossary: Steeple Compound Engine, Shaft Log, Bulk Freighter, NOAA