Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Montana
- Type: Steam screw freighter
- Year Built: 1872
- Builder: Port Huron, Michigan
- Dimensions: 236.3 ft × 36.5 ft × 13.0 ft (72 × 11.1 × 4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,212 gross tons / 952 net tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 12 m / 40 ft
- Location: Lake Huron, near Sulphur Island, Michigan
- Coordinates: 44°59'03.33"N, 83°16'01.39"W
- Official Number: 90501
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Montana was a steam screw freighter, representative of a transitional period in Great Lakes shipping when sail gave way to mechanical propulsion. Propelled by a single screw and powered by a 500 horsepower steam engine, she was capable of hauling heavy bulk cargoes between major lake ports. Her robust iron and timber construction made her well-suited for long-distance freight service. The vessel had a traditional straight-deck design, with amidships machinery and aft steering gear. Primary operations involved cargo movement across Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron, with home operations centered out of Buffalo, New York.
Description
The Montana was a steam screw freighter, representative of a transitional period in Great Lakes shipping when sail gave way to mechanical propulsion. Propelled by a single screw and powered by a 500 horsepower steam engine, she was capable of hauling heavy bulk cargoes between major lake ports. Her robust iron and timber construction made her well-suited for long-distance freight service. The vessel had a traditional straight-deck design, with amidships machinery and aft steering gear. Primary operations involved cargo movement across Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron, with home operations centered out of Buffalo, New York.
History
Launched in 1872 from Port Huron, Michigan, Montana served as a general freight carrier for over four decades. She was active during a pivotal era in industrial shipping, providing key logistical support to the mining, lumber, and grain industries. Her long service record reflected both her rugged construction and the reliability of steam-powered shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
On the evening of September 6, 1914, a fire broke out aboard the vessel while she was navigating near Sulphur Island in Lake Huron. Despite best efforts to extinguish the flames, the fire spread rapidly. The crew abandoned ship and escaped without injury. Unable to control the fire, Montana was left to burn and sink. She ultimately settled upright on the lakebed in two major sections.
Significant Incidents
- Fire broke out on September 6, 1914, while navigating near Sulphur Island.
- The crew abandoned ship and all 14 aboard survived.
- The vessel burned and sank, settling upright in two major sections.
Final Disposition
The wreck of Montana lies in 40 feet (12 meters) of water and remains remarkably intact. The bow and stern sections are both accessible, though the midship area is badly damaged due to the fire and collapse. Seasonal NOAA mooring buoys mark the wreck for divers. The site is considered hazardous to surface navigation and is charted accordingly.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is noted in official Notices to Mariners as a submerged hazard. Buoys are in place for diver safety and to prevent vessel strikes. All mariners should consult updated charts and NOAA advisories when operating near Sulphur Island.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”montana-us-90501″ title=”References & Links”]
For full documentation of the Montana shipwreck, including construction, operational history, wreck analysis, and dive guidance, refer to the full article: NOAA Thunder Bay Sanctuary – Montana Wreck Report
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Identification Card (Site)
Other Names: None known
Official Number: 90501
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Steam screw freighter
Builder: Port Huron, Michigan
Year Built: 1872
Dimensions: 236.3 ft × 36.5 ft × 13.0 ft (72 × 11.1 × 4 m)
Tonnage: 1,212 gross tons / 952 net tons
Cargo on Final Voyage: Unknown
Date of Loss: 6 September 1914
Location: Lake Huron, near Sulphur Island, Michigan
Coordinates: 44°59’03.33″N, 83°16’01.39″W
Depth: 40 ft (12 m)
Home Port: Buffalo, New York (inferred)
Owners: Unknown
Crew: 22
Casualties: None – all 14 aboard survived
Description
The Montana was a steam screw freighter, representative of a transitional period in Great Lakes shipping when sail gave way to mechanical propulsion. Propelled by a single screw and powered by a 500 horsepower steam engine, she was capable of hauling heavy bulk cargoes between major lake ports. Her robust iron and timber construction made her well-suited for long-distance freight service. The vessel had a traditional straight-deck design, with amidships machinery and aft steering gear. Primary operations involved cargo movement across Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron, with home operations centered out of Buffalo, New York.
History
Launched in 1872 from Port Huron, Michigan, Montana served as a general freight carrier for over four decades. She was active during a pivotal era in industrial shipping, providing key logistical support to the mining, lumber, and grain industries. Her long service record reflected both her rugged construction and the reliability of steam-powered shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
On the evening of September 6, 1914, a fire broke out aboard the vessel while she was navigating near Sulphur Island in Lake Huron. Despite best efforts to extinguish the flames, the fire spread rapidly. The crew abandoned ship and escaped without injury. Unable to control the fire, Montana was left to burn and sink. She ultimately settled upright on the lakebed in two major sections.
Final Disposition
The wreck of Montana lies in 40 feet (12 meters) of water and remains remarkably intact. The bow and stern sections are both accessible, though the midship area is badly damaged due to the fire and collapse. Seasonal NOAA mooring buoys mark the wreck for divers. The site is considered hazardous to surface navigation and is charted accordingly.
Located By & Date Found
Montana‘s location was confirmed by Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary surveys using multibeam sonar (Kongsberg 3002) and dive confirmation. The wreck is listed under AWOIS 14560, correcting earlier misidentifications under AWOIS 2496.
NOTMARs & Advisories
The wreck is noted in official Notices to Mariners as a submerged hazard. Buoys are in place for diver safety and to prevent vessel strikes. All mariners should consult updated charts and NOAA advisories when operating near Sulphur Island.
Image Gallery – NOAA
Full Wreck Report
For full documentation of the Montana shipwreck, including construction, operational history, wreck analysis, and dive guidance, refer to the full article:
NOAA Thunder Bay Sanctuary – Montana Wreck Report
3D Models
Resources & Links
- NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary – Montana Wreck Profile
- Sketchfab – Montana by 3DShipwrecks
- Sketchfab – Montana by Thunder Bay NMS
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: None
Official Number: 90501
Coordinates: 44°59’03.33″N, 83°16’01.39″W
Depth: 40 ft (12 m)
Location Description: Lake Huron, near Sulphur Island; upright in two sections
Vessel Type: Steam screw freighter
Material: Wood hull with iron and steel machinery
Dimensions: 236.3 ft × 36.5 ft × 13.0 ft (72 × 11.1 × 4 m); 1,212 GRT / 952 NRT
Condition: Broken into bow and stern; engine, shaft, boiler, and propeller intact
Cause of Loss: Fire aboard; burned and sank
Discovery Date: Prior to 2001 (surveyed by NOAA during early Thunder Bay Sanctuary assessments)
Discovered By: Thunder Bay NMS / NOAA sonar and dive teams
Method: Side-scan sonar, multibeam, diver verification
Legal Notes: Site protected under U.S. sanctuary regulations; listed under AWOIS 14560
Hazards: Submerged wreck, shallow depth; marked by NOAA mooring buoys
Permits Required: Required for research; recreational diving permitted under sanctuary rules
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