Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Colorado
- Type: Wooden propeller steamer
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: Buffalo, New York (Mason & Bidwell)
- Dimensions: ~254 ft (77 m) – width & depth not recorded; tonnage unspecified
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 10.7 m / 35 ft
- Location: Sawtooth Reef, east of Eagle River, Michigan
- Coordinates: 47° 25.46′ N, 88° 18.02′ W
- Original Owners: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Colorado was a wooden propeller-driven steamer, approximately 254 ft long, built in 1867 in Buffalo and equipped with one of the earliest compound steeple engines on the Great Lakes.
Description
The wreck lies in 25–35 ft of water, flattened by ice and scattered across Sawtooth Reef, yet much of the machinery remains intact. It sits intermingled with the wreckage of the Fern.
History
The Colorado, a seasoned vessel of over 30 years, was en route from Port Huron to Duluth with a cargo of flour when, on September 19, 1898, she grounded on Sawtooth Reef—near the wreck of the James Pickands. Poor visibility due to heavy smoke from forest fires, combined with possible magnetic anomalies from iron-laden vessels that had lightered nearby, likely contributed to the navigational error leading to her stranding.
Efforts to offload her cargo over three days were underway when a storm struck and broke her apart—destroying the 30-year-old wooden steamer.
Significant Incidents
- Grounding on Sawtooth Reef amid smoky, low-visibility conditions.
- Subsequently broken up by storm and ice.
Final Disposition
Cause of Loss: Grounding on Sawtooth Reef amid smoky, low-visibility conditions; subsequently broken up by storm and ice.
Wreck Condition: Broken, flattened, debris and machinery dispersed over reef; intermingled with Fern wreckage.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck has been documented in local guidebooks and regional shipwreck records, though no modern survey attribution or discovery date is recorded. Reference includes “An Underwater Guide to Lake Superior’s Keweenaw Peninsula” by Mark and Kathy Roberts.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”colorado-1867″ title=”References & Links”]
No specific navigational markers exist for the site. The reef remains hazardous, particularly under poor visibility and during inclement seasons due to forest fire smoke and early storm conditions.
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.
Type: Wooden propeller steamer, 254 ft
Builder: Buffalo, New York (Mason & Bidwell)
Build Year: 1867 (compound steeple engine installed)
Construction Location: Buffalo, NY
Dimensions: ~254 ft (77 m) – width & depth not recorded; tonnage unspecified
Cargo on Final Voyage: Flour
Date of Loss: September 19, 1898
Location of Loss: Sawtooth Reef, east of Eagle River, Michigan (Lake Superior)
Coordinates: 47° 25.46′ N, 88° 18.02′ W
Depth: 25 to 35 ft (7.6 to 10.7 m)
Owner(s): Unknown
Home Port: En route Port Huron to Duluth
Description
The Colorado was a wooden propeller-driven steamer, approximately 254 ft long, built in 1867 in Buffalo and equipped with one of the earliest compound steeple engines on the Great Lakes :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}. The wreck lies in 25–35 ft of water, flattened by ice and scattered across Sawtooth Reef, yet much of the machinery remains intact. It sits intermingled with the wreckage of the Fern :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
History
The Colorado, a seasoned vessel of over 30 years, was en route from Port Huron to Duluth with a cargo of flour when, on September 19, 1898, she grounded on Sawtooth Reef—near the wreck of the James Pickands :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}. Poor visibility due to heavy smoke from forest fires, combined with possible magnetic anomalies from iron‑laden vessels that had lightered nearby, likely contributed to the navigational error leading to her stranding :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
Efforts to offload her cargo over three days were underway when a storm struck and broke her apart—destroying the 30-year-old wooden steamer :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
Final Dispositions
Cause of Loss: Grounding on Sawtooth Reef amid smoky, low-visibility conditions; subsequently broken up by storm and ice.
Wreck Condition: Broken, flattened, debris and machinery dispersed over reef; intermingled with Fern wreckage.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck has been documented in local guidebooks and regional shipwreck records, though no modern survey attribution or discovery date is recorded. Reference includes “An Underwater Guide to Lake Superior’s Keweenaw Peninsula” by Mark and Kathy Roberts :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
Notmars & Advisories
No specific navigational markers exist for the site. The reef remains hazardous, particularly under poor visibility and during inclement seasons due to forest fire smoke and early storm conditions.
Dive Information
Access Type: Boat
Entry Point: Near Eagle River, Keweenaw Peninsula
Conditions: Visibility may be limited by sediment or seasonal debris; ice can affect wreck integrity.
Depth Range: 25–35 ft (7.6–10.7 m)
Emergency Contacts: U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie; local dive operators in Eagle Harbor.
Permits & Rules: Site lies within Keweenaw Underwater Preserve—adhere to preserve regulations and “look but don’t touch” policies.
Local Dive Support: Keweenaw Underwater Preserve or local outfitting services in Eagle Harbor.
Crew & Casualty Memorials
No loss of life reported. Crew names and memorials remain undocumented in sources consulted.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“The wooden propeller Colorado was built in March of 1867 at Buffalo, NY… ground on Sawtooth Reef on September 19, 1898… navigation was hampered by smoky weather and magnetic anomalies…” – Baillod.com summary :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
“Her 1848 hull bed is among the oldest nautical relics on Lake Superior… The wreck is easily accessible to both snorkelers and scuba divers.” – MiningGazette reconstruction of Baillod’s reporting :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
No official number or registry records were found in consulted sources. Further research in Buffalo ship registries, Lloyd’s lists, and U.S. registry archives is recommended.
Site Documentation & Imaging
No modern surveys, VR imagery, or 3D models have been located. Existing information derives from guidebooks and local archives.
Image Gallery
No known images.
Resources & Links
- Baillod.com – Colorado wreck summary
- Great Lakes Vessel History – Colorado summary
- “An Underwater Guide to Lake Superior’s Keweenaw Peninsula” by Mark and Kathy Roberts
References
- Baillod.com summary of Colorado grounding and engine details
- Great Lakes Vessel History summary of grounding details
- MiningGazette reporting on accessibility and relic remarks
- Listing in Great Lakes Shipwreck files including depth and proximity to the Fern
NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card
Wreck Name: Colorado
Other Names: None recorded
Coordinates: 47° 25.46′ N, 88° 18.02′ W
Depth: 25–35 ft (7.6–10.7 m)
Location Description: Grounded on Sawtooth Reef, east of Eagle River, Lake Superior
Vessel Type: Wooden propeller steamer
Material: Wood
Dimensions: ~254 ft length; beam and draft not documented
Condition: Broken, flattened by ice, machinery remains scattered; intermingled with Fern
Cause of Loss: Grounding due to smoky visibility and possible magnetic interference; storm/ice breakup
Discovery Date: Unknown (documented in historical guides and records)
Discovered By: Historical accounts and guide documentation
Method: Archival records; no modern dive survey noted
Legal Notes: Within Keweenaw Underwater Preserve
Hazards: Submerged reef; scattered wreckage; ice damage
Permits Required: Follow preserve regulations—no removal or disturbance