SHIPWRECK REPORT: UNKNOWN WRECK (Record Number 14208)

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: Unknown

•Vessel Type: Unknown

•Location: Lake St. Clair

•Coordinates:

•Initial Position: 42.753694° N, -82.475139° W

•Updated Position (2008 Survey): 42°45’13.3”N, 82°28’30.5”W

•Depth: 14 feet (4.3 meters)

•Feature Type: Submerged, dangerous to surface navigation

•Geographical Position Quality (GP Quality): High

•Sounding Type: Feet and tenths

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The identity, type, and origin of the wreck remain unknown. Based on the depth and location, the vessel could potentially have been a small cargo vessel, fishing boat, or part of a larger ship’s debris. It is categorized as a hazardous wreck due to its position in shallow waters, posing a risk to surface navigation.

HISTORY

•Initial Charting: The wreck was first identified on a Lake Survey Chart prior to 1974, marked as a 14-foot submerged wreck. The source of the initial charting data is unknown.

•2008 Survey: A detailed survey (H11914) conducted under OPR-W408-NRT4-08 utilized Side Scan Sonar (SSS) and Single-Beam Echo Sounding (SBES) to locate and verify the wreck. The survey pinpointed the wreck’s updated coordinates at 42°45’13.3”N, 82°28’30.5”W.

•2010 Update: Following the survey, recommendations were made to delete the originally charted wreck position and replace it with the updated location. This change was implemented in the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CEH) records in 2010.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The wreck remains submerged at a depth of 14 feet, located at the updated coordinates. It is classified as dangerous to surface navigation, necessitating clear marking on nautical charts and continued monitoring to mitigate risks.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

•Condition: The wreck appears intact enough to pose a navigational hazard but may be deteriorating due to environmental factors. Its exact structure and material composition remain unknown.

•Accessibility: The wreck is in shallow waters, making it a potential site for exploration or further investigation, though it requires caution due to its classification as a navigational hazard.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•Mariners are advised to avoid the area near the wreck’s location unless equipped to navigate in shallow, hazardous waters.

•Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) have likely been issued to alert vessels about the updated coordinates and the dangers posed by this wreck.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Lake Survey Charts: Historic records of submerged hazards and chart updates.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Repository of shipwreck data and historical narratives.

•Canadian Hydrographic Service (CEH): Official updates and chart corrections for navigational safety.

CONCLUSION

The submerged wreck at 42°45’13.3”N, 82°28’30.5”W in Lake St. Clair poses a confirmed navigational hazard. Initially charted before 1974, its updated position and hazardous nature were confirmed in a 2008 survey. With a depth of only 14 feet, the wreck is particularly dangerous for vessels with deeper drafts. Mariners should exercise extreme caution in the area, and continued monitoring is recommended to ensure safe navigation.

KEYWORDS

Unknown wreck, Lake St. Clair, submerged hazard, Side Scan Sonar survey, navigation danger, Canadian Hydrographic Service, 14-foot wreck, shipwreck hazard.