SHIPWRECK REPORT: GOGEBIC / GREEN RIVER

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: GOGEBIC (later renamed GREEN RIVER)

• Type: Wooden Bulk Propeller (later converted to a Barge)

• Location: Welcome Island, Thunder Bay, Lake Superior

• Coordinates: N 48° 21.932’, W 89° 8.575’

• Depth of Wreck: 80 feet (26 meters)

• Dimensions:

• Length: 230 feet (70.1 meters)

• Beam: 40.4 feet (12.3 meters)

• Depth: 19.4 feet (5.9 meters)

CONSTRUCTION & OWNERSHIP

• Date Built: October 1887

• Builder: Wheeler’s Shipyard, West Bay City, Michigan

• Gross Tonnage: 1,680 tons

• Net Tonnage: 1,312 tons

• Engine: Triple expansion engine (20”, 32”, and 52” cylinders with a 40” stroke)

• Boilers: Scotch boilers (10 x 12 feet), supplied by S.F. Hodge & Co., Detroit

• Original Owner: Mills Transportation Co.

• Captain at Launch: Alvin Neal

HISTORY

The GOGEBIC was a wooden bulk propeller ship built in 1887, specifically designed for the Lake Superior trade. The vessel operated for Mills Transportation Co., primarily transporting goods across the Great Lakes.

In 1921, the ship was converted into a Barge and renamed GREEN RIVER, with its registration transferred to Canada (official number C 138863). The Conversion marked a shift from powered operations to being towed, reflecting changing economic conditions and the obsolescence of older steam-powered vessels.

By 1932, the vessel’s useful life had ended, and it was dismantled. The Hull was subsequently scuttled off Welcome Island in Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, on November 5, 1932.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The remains of the GOGEBIC/Green River were deliberately scuttled to dispose of the dismantled Hull. Today, the wreck lies intact at a depth of 80 feet (26 meters), making it a fascinating site for divers and a poignant reminder of the Maritime History of the Great Lakes.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

• Condition: The wreck is well-preserved for its age and provides divers with an opportunity to explore a historically significant wooden bulk propeller turned Barge. The structural integrity of the Hull and its large dimensions make it an impressive dive site.

• Depth: The site lies at a moderate depth of 80 feet (26 meters), suitable for recreational divers with advanced training.

• Location: Accessible from Welcome Island, the wreck is a popular destination for those exploring Thunder Bay’s rich underwater heritage.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Primary Sources:

• Shipbuilding Master List of Frank Wheeler & Co., West Bay City

• Institute for Great Lakes Research, Perrysburg, Ohio

• Newspaper archives: The Marine Record and Port Huron Daily Times (October 1887)

• Local Diving Clubs: For guided dives and additional site information.

• Historical Societies: Thunder Bay historical archives and the Great Lakes Maritime Museum may have more records.

This wreck serves as an important piece of Great Lakes maritime history, representing the transition from powered freighters to barges and the challenges faced by vessels in the early 20th century.