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.

Description

The City of St. Joseph, initially constructed in 1890 as the sidewheel steamer City of Chicago, was later converted into a steel barge with no engines, repurposed for heavy freight hauling across the Great Lakes. It was subsequently cut down to serve as a lumber barge ([turn0search4]).

Today, the wreck lies at a depth of approximately 35 ft (10.67 m) in Lake Superior, north of Eagle Harbor, Michigan. The hull is largely flattened and fragmented, yet several structural elements remain recognizable:

• Intact forecastle and aft decks
• A worm-gear driven windlass at the bow
• Presence of rudder post and steering quadrant aft
• Multiple winches or winch components scattered on site
• An anchor chain extending into the distance, though the anchor is buried
• Bitts on the aft deck and a hawse pipe on the forecastle deck
  (3DShipwrecks.org, Sketchfab, 3DShipwrecks.org)

History

On the evening of September 21, 1942, the City of St. Joseph was being towed by the tug John Roen, alongside another barge named Transport, when a northwest gale struck off the Keweenaw Peninsula. Laden with a deck cargo of pulpwood (originating from Grand Marais, Minnesota and bound for Port Huron, Michigan), the barge suffered catastrophic failure when her rudder chains snapped, rendering her unsteerable. The towline parted, and both the St. Joseph and Transport were left adrift in storm conditions

By dawn, both barges had run aground on a reef just outside Little Grand Marais Harbor. Surging surf breached their hulls, sealing their fate. Tragically, the captain’s wife, Katherine McLeod, was killed during the wreck, becoming the only known fatality from the incident

Both barges were deemed total losses and were ultimately scrapped on site. Machinery and salvageable components were removed from shore in the months following the wreck .

Final Dispositions

• Cause of Loss: Failure of steering system (broken rudder chains) during a gale caused loss of control, grounding, and wreck on reef with fatal surf impacts
• Wreck Condition: Hull flattened, decks partially intact, and equipment such as windlass and rudder components remain visible in shallow water
• Casualties: One known fatality — the captain’s wife, Katherine McLeod .
• Salvage & Final Handling: On-site dismantling and salvage of machinery and metal began soon after stranding (1942–1943) .

Located By & Date Found

This wreck was not discovered in the modern sense—it ran ashore visibly on the date it was lost (September 21, 1942) and was immediately documented by lifesaving and local agencies. No subsequent remote discovery is recorded ([turn0search1]).

Notmars & Advisories (NOTMARs)

There are no active Notices to Mariners regarding this wreck, as it lies in shallow water and no submerged hazards remain—most of the wreck has been scrapped. Nonetheless, caution is advised around the site due to sharp metal debris and exposed structural remains ([turn0search5], [turn0search1]).

Dive Information

• Access Type: Boat-supported dive, with launch from nearby Eagle Harbor, MI.
• Entry Point: Eagle Harbor, short distance north to the wreck site.
• Conditions: Typical Lake Superior caveats—water temperatures under 40 °F (4–5 °C), visibility around 35 ft, and frequent surface chop.
• Hazards: Sharp wreckage, cold water, and possible surge exposure.
• Permits & Rules: No submerged protected structure remains. General state regulations for diving apply; divers should confirm current regulations with Michigan’s underwater preserves.

Crew & Casualty Memorials

Crew Details: Records of individual crew members are not readily available in accessible databases. However, one fatality is confirmed—Katherine McLeod, the captain’s wife. No memorial listings or cemetery records were located in sources reviewed.

Further archival research (e.g., local newspapers, Coast Guard logs, cemetery registries, Find A Grave) may provide additional crew information and commemoration narratives.

Documented Statements & Extracts

“The barge City of St. Joseph’s rudder chains broke, making her unmanageable… she was at the mercy of the gale.”
(baillod.com, Sketchfab)

“One crew… was killed in the stranding. Parts of the barges were salvaged from shore.”
(Facebook)

These contemporary quotes capture the dynamics of the incident and subsequent salvage efforts.

Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails

• Official Number: U.S. #126627
• Registry: United States
• Original Name: City of Chicago (later City of St. Joseph)
  (3DShipwrecks.org, 3DShipwrecks.org)

Insurance documents and registry data likely exist in U.S. maritime archives or Nicholson Transit company logs but were not located in available online sources.

Site Documentation & Imaging

A 3D photogrammetric model of the wreck is available from 3DShipwrecks.org, created in July 2024 by Ken Merryman using over 2,800 high-resolution stills. The model, available under CC BY‑ND licensing, provides an immersive digital exploration of the wreck.
(wisconsinshipwrecks.org, 3DShipwrecks.org)

Image Gallery

Resources & Links

• 3DShipwrecks.org: City of St. Joseph – Comprehensive model and technical data
  (3DShipwrecks.org)
• Baillod.com: City of St. Joseph & Transport – Loss narrative and wreck circumstances
  (baillod.com)
• Michigan Underwater Preserves (EGLE) – Dive site designation and general info
  (Michigan)
• Wrecksite.eu – Collateral details of the wreck and salvage
  (Sketchfab)

References

1. Wreck structure, description, and photogrammetry – 3DShipwrecks.org database and model
2. Loss circumstances, towing, rudder failure, abandonment – Baillod.com site entry on City of St. Joseph and Transport
3. Fatality, salvage, and wreck handling – Extended loss narrative, including fatality and salvage details
4. Dive site popularity and underwater preserve context – Michigan EGLE underwater preserves listing
5. General historical note of crew fatality – GLSPS Facebook summary

NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card

3D Model – City of St Joesph

Keywords:

City of St. Joseph, City of Chicago, Barge, Lake Superior, Steel Hull, Shipwreck, Keweenaw Underwater Preserve, Michigan.

For detailed mapping and planning, input the provided GPS coordinates into a navigation tool or Google Maps to view the precise wreck location. Divers should confirm conditions with local operators before planning their visit.