IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Montana was a steam screw freighter, a type of vessel characterized by its use of a screw propeller powered by steam engines. Built in 1872 in Port Huron, Michigan, the Montana was designed to handle significant freight loads across the Great Lakes. With a length of 236.3 feet and a gross tonnage of 1,212 tons, it was a sizable vessel for its time, primarily engaged in transporting goods between ports, with Buffalo, New York, serving as its home port.
HISTORY #
The Montana had been in service for over four decades when it met its tragic end. On September 6, 1914, while operating near Sulphur Island in Lake Huron, the Montana caught fire. At the time of the incident, 14 individuals were aboard the vessel, including the crew and possibly some passengers. Despite the severity of the fire, all 14 individuals were able to evacuate the ship safely, and no lives were lost.
The fire left the Montana in a wrecked condition. The vessel eventually sank and came to rest on the bottom of Lake Huron, where it remains submerged at a depth of 40 feet. The wreck of the Montana is split into two pieces, with the bow and stern marked by buoys to assist divers in locating and exploring the site.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Montana lies in two pieces on the lakebed of Lake Huron, at a depth of approximately 40 feet. The wreck site is marked by buoys, with one buoy indicating the position of the bow and another marking the stern. The vessel’s remains are a point of interest for divers, providing a unique opportunity to explore a piece of Great Lakes maritime history.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the Montana has been identified and verified at coordinates Latitude 44°59’03.33″N and Longitude 83°16’01.39″W. This identification has been corroborated by personnel from the NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary using Multibeam Echo Sounder (MBES) data from a Kongsberg 3002 survey, confirming the position as AWOIS 14560. An earlier reference to the Montana at a different location (AWOIS 2496) is believed to be in error.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
The wreck of the Montana is noted as a potential navigational hazard due to its relatively shallow depth and location near Sulphur Island. Mariners should consult current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) for any advisories related to this wreck. The buoy markers at the site provide guidance for divers and help prevent accidental collisions by surface vessels.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
CONCLUSION #
The wreck of the Montana stands as a testament to the perils faced by early 20th-century freighters on the Great Lakes. Despite the devastating fire that led to its sinking, the crew’s successful evacuation highlights the resilience and preparedness of the sailors. Today, the Montana‘s wreck provides a fascinating site for divers, offering a glimpse into the past and an opportunity to explore a well-preserved piece of maritime history.
KEYWORDS #
- Montana shipwreck
- Lake Huron freighter
- Steam screw freighter
- Great Lakes maritime history
- Shipwreck diving site
- Sulphur Island wreck
GPS COORDINATES & ADDITIONAL INFO #
The wreck of the Montana is located at Latitude 44°59’03.33″N, Longitude 83°16’01.39″W, submerged at a depth of 40 feet in Lake Huron. Divers and mariners should exercise caution when navigating near the wreck site, and should refer to current surveys and NOTMARs for updated information.
