Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Barge No. 1
- Type: Wooden Railroad Car Ferry Barge
- Year Built: 1895
- Builder: James Davidson, West Bay City, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length 309.75 ft (94.4 m); Beam 44.16 ft (13.5 m); Depth 12.00 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,544.78 gross tons / 1,463.13 net tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 13 m / 43 ft
- Location: North Point, Thunder Bay
- Coordinates: N45°00.919′, W83°18.238′
- Official Number: [To be researched]
- Original Owners: Kreeton & Company (final)
- Number of Masts: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Barge No. 1 was a large wooden barge built to carry railroad cars and bulk freight. Outfitted with deck rails after her launch in Chicago, she initially served the Wisconsin & Michigan Railroad and later adapted for general cargo transport under multiple owners.
Description
Barge No. 1 was a large wooden barge built to carry railroad cars and bulk freight. Outfitted with deck rails after her launch in Chicago, she initially served the Wisconsin & Michigan Railroad and later adapted for general cargo transport under multiple owners.
History
From 1895 to 1918, the barge supported Great Lakes transportation, shifting from railroad ferry service to bulk cargo work. In 1918, under Kreeton & Company of Drummond Island, she was employed carrying lumber and livestock.
Significant Incidents
- On 8 November 1918, caught in a storm near Thunder Bay, Barge No. 1 was stranded and battered by waves off North Point. She broke apart and sank in 43 ft of water. All seven crew survived.
Final Disposition
The vessel was declared a total loss. Her remains now rest fragmented and partially buried in the lakebed.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The site has been recognized for decades. Specific discovery details are not well documented. No current NOTMARs issued. Divers should note underwater hazards and fluctuating visibility in the area.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”barge-no-1-us-00070″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
Access to the wreck is by boat, with entry points near North Point, Thunder Bay. Conditions include strong currents and variable visibility. Remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories while diving.
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.
Lead Image
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
Other Names: —
Official Number: [To be researched]
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Wooden Railroad Car Ferry Barge
Builder: James Davidson, West Bay City, Michigan
Year Built: 1895
Dimensions: Length 309.75 ft (94.4 m), Beam 44.16 ft (13.5 m), Depth 12.00 ft (3.7 m)
Tonnage: 1,544.78 gross tons / 1,463.13 net tons
Cargo on Final Voyage: Lumber and live chickens
Date of Loss: 8 November 1918
Location: North Point, Thunder Bay, Lake Huron
Coordinates: N45°00.919′, W83°18.238′
Depth: 43 ft (13 m)
Home Port: [To be researched]
Owners: Kreeton & Company (final)
Crew: 7
Casualties: None (all survived)
Description
Barge No. 1 was a large wooden barge built to carry railroad cars and bulk freight. Outfitted with deck rails after her launch in Chicago, she initially served the Wisconsin & Michigan Railroad and later adapted for general cargo transport under multiple owners.
History
From 1895 to 1918, the barge supported Great Lakes transportation, shifting from railroad ferry service to bulk cargo work. In 1918, under Kreeton & Company of Drummond Island, she was employed carrying lumber and livestock.
Final Voyage & Wreck
On 8 November 1918, caught in a storm near Thunder Bay, Barge No. 1 was stranded and battered by waves off North Point. She broke apart and sank in 43 ft of water. All seven crew survived.
Final Disposition
The vessel was declared a total loss. Her remains now rest fragmented and partially buried in the lakebed.
Located By & Date Found
The site has been recognized for decades. Specific discovery details are not well documented.
Notmars & Advisories
No current NOTMARs issued. Divers should note underwater hazards and fluctuating visibility in the area.
Dive Information
Access: Boat
Entry Point: Near North Point, Thunder Bay
Conditions: Strong currents, variable visibility
Depth Range: 43 ft (13 m)
Emergency Contacts: USCG Sector Sault Ste. Marie
Permits: Required for artifact removal
Dive Support: Charters available from Alpena
Crew & Casualty Memorials
All seven crew survived. Crew lists may exist in port records or regional maritime archives.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“The vessel succumbed to pounding waves and split in two… all hands escaped before she was claimed by Lake Huron.” — Thunder Bay accounts, 1918
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Final ownership under Kreeton & Company, Drummond Island. Registry and enrollment files may be held in state or National Archives. Insurance details to be verified.
Site Documentation & Imaging
Documented by NOAA and Sketchfab 3D model surveys. Mooring buoy marks wreck. Available for viewing at 3DShipwrecks.org.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Ships Database
- BGSU Maritime Collection
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- 3DShipwrecks.org – Barge No. 1
References
- Thunder Bay NMS wreck archive
- Sketchfab/3DShipwrecks model of Barge No. 1
- NOAA Thunder Bay site documentation
NOAA Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: —
Official Number: [TBD]
Coordinates: N45°00.919′, W83°18.238′
Depth: 43 ft (13 m)
Location Description: North Point, Thunder Bay, Lake Huron
Vessel Type: Wooden Railroad Car Ferry Barge
Material: Wood
Dimensions: 309.75 ft × 44.16 ft × 12 ft
Condition: Fragmented
Cause of Loss: Storm stranding and breakup
Discovery Date: [Historical]
Discovered By: [Unknown]
Method: Visual survey
Legal Notes: Site within Thunder Bay NMS
Hazards: Wood, current
Permits Required: Yes (sanctuary jurisdiction)