Identification & Site Information

• Name(s): Egyptian
• Registry: Not documented
• Vessel Type: Wooden Propeller Bulk Freighter
• Year Built: 1873
• Builder: Quayle and Peck, Black River, Ohio
• Year Sank: December 1, 1897
• Hull Material: Wood
• Dimensions
• Length: 232 ft (70.71 m)
• Beam: 36 ft (10.97 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 1,429

Vessel History

The Egyptian was a pioneering wooden propeller bulk freighter, built in 1873 by Quayle and Peck in Black River, Ohio. Designed to transport large volumes of bulk cargo, such as coal, the Egyptian represented an early step in the evolution of Great Lakes shipping, paving the way for the massive bulk freighters used today.

A significant innovation on the Egyptian was its Fore-and-aft compound steam engine, the first of its kind on the Great Lakes. This engine improved efficiency and performance, making the vessel a technological prototype for modern bulk carriers.

On December 1, 1897, the Egyptian caught fire and sank 15 miles off Alpena, Michigan, near Black River. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but the crew managed to escape. The vessel was lost with its cargo of coal, marking the end of its 24-year service.

Wreck Site Information

• Lake: Lake Huron
• State/Province: Michigan
• Depth: 230 ft (70.10 m)
• Location: Approximately 15 miles off Alpena, Michigan
• Discovery: Found in 2010 by a team from the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the University of Texas-Austin.

Site Description:

The Egyptian lies in 230 ft of water, remarkably well-preserved due to Lake Huron’s cold and fresh environment. Notable features include:

• Hull and Structure:

• The wooden Hull is intact, showcasing the craftsmanship of its time.

• Evidence of fire damage near critical sections of the vessel.

• Machinery and Artifacts:

• Fore-and-aft compound steam engine: Still in place, offering a rare glimpse into early steam technology.

• Propeller and Shaft: Visible at the Stern, part of the vessel’s innovative propulsion system.

• Cargo: Coal remains in the hold, providing a tangible link to the vessel’s final voyage.

Diving Notes & Advisories

• Depth Consideration:

Resting at 230 ft (70.10 m), the site is accessible only to advanced technical divers with training in deep, mixed-gas diving.

• Visibility:

Lake Huron’s conditions at this depth often allow for excellent Visibility, ideal for documentation and exploration.

• Preservation Status:

The wreck is protected as part of Michigan’s maritime heritage. Divers must adhere to regulations that prohibit artifact removal or site disturbance.

Site Significance

The Egyptian is a historically and archaeologically significant wreck, representing a key transitional period in Great Lakes shipping. Its Fore-and-aft compound steam engine marks a major technological innovation, and its design serves as an early prototype for the modern bulk freighters that dominate Great Lakes shipping today.

The vessel’s intact condition and deep location preserve a wealth of artifacts and structural details, offering insights into 19th-century shipbuilding, propulsion technology, and the coal trade. Its discovery in 2010 has further enriched the narrative of Great Lakes maritime history.

Keywords:

Egyptian shipwreck, Lake Huron bulk freighters, early compound steam engine, Great Lakes maritime history, advanced wreck diving, Thunder Bay Sanctuary.

3D Model of Engine

Egyptian Engine by Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary on Sketchfab