Shipwreck Report: 1920s Motor Yacht in the St. Clair Flats

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: Unknown

• Type: Motor Yacht

• Length: 48 feet (14.6 meters)

• Construction Date: 1920s

• Location: St. Clair Flats, Lake St. Clair

• Depth: Unknown, assumed shallow to moderate

VESSEL DESCRIPTION

• Design:

• A 48-foot motor yacht built in the 1920s, featuring a wooden Hull.

• Equipped with twin engines mounted side-by-side, located approximately 15-19 feet aft of the bow, unusual for this type of vessel.

• Long drive shafts and exhaust pipes extend toward the Stern.

• Despite being a twin-screw vessel (two propellers), it was fitted with a single rudder, which may have impacted its maneuverability.

• Features:

• Brass hardware is still present on the wreck, offering an intriguing glimpse into the vessel’s fittings and construction quality.

HISTORY

The vessel was likely used as a pleasure craft or private yacht during the 1920s, an era when motorized yachts began to gain popularity among the affluent for leisure activities. These yachts were commonly seen navigating the Great Lakes and surrounding waterways.

• Incident Details:

• The motor yacht burned to the waterline before sinking in the St. Clair Flats.

• The cause of the fire is unknown, but such incidents were not uncommon during the early 20th century, often caused by fuel leaks, engine malfunctions, or onboard heating systems.

• The wreck lies largely intact despite its fiery demise, with engines, drive shafts, and rudder still visible.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

• Condition:

• The Hull is largely burned, with significant fire damage evident throughout.

• Twin engines and other components, including long drive shafts and brass hardware, are identifiable and provide interesting exploration opportunities.

• The Stern area with the single rudder remains partially intact.

• Accessibility:

• Exact location and depth are not specified, but the St. Clair Flats are typically shallow and navigable for divers and small vessels.

• The site is suitable for experienced divers due to the presence of debris and the potential for entanglement hazards.

• Visibility: Likely variable depending on weather, water conditions, and sediment levels.

SIGNIFICANCE

• Historical Value: The wreck is an example of early 20th-century motor yacht design and reflects the craftsmanship and leisure culture of the period.

• Archaeological Interest: The twin-engine configuration and single rudder provide unique design characteristics for study.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Local Dive Shops: Contact for information on diving opportunities and conditions in the St. Clair Flats.

NOTES FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

1. Historical Records: Search local archives or vessel registries for details about motor yachts in the area during the 1920s.

2. Dive Survey: Conduct a detailed underwater survey to document the wreck’s layout and condition.

3. Community Input: Local mariners and historians may have oral histories or photographs related to the vessel.

CONCLUSION

The burned and sunken 1920s motor yacht in the St. Clair Flats offers an exciting dive site for exploration and study. With its twin engines, long drive shafts, and single rudder, the wreck provides a fascinating snapshot of early motor yacht engineering. Though its identity and full history remain unknown, the wreck preserves a piece of the region’s maritime legacy, waiting to be further uncovered by divers and researchers.