Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

De Soto US 6441

Explore the remains of the De Soto, a 19th-century bark shipwreck in Lake Superior, accessible for divers and snorkelers.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: De Soto
  • Type: Wooden-hulled, three-masted bark
  • Year Built: 1856
  • Builder: Peck & Masters, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Dimensions: 161 ft x 34 ft x 11 ft (approx. 49.1 m x 10.4 m x 3.4 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 583 gross tons (approx. 529 metric tonnes)
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 3 m / 10 ft
  • Location: Marquette, Michigan, Lake Superior
  • Coordinates: Not specified
  • Official Number: 6441
  • Original Owners: R.K. Winslow, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Number of Masts: Three

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The De Soto was a wooden-hulled, three-masted bark, a common type of sailing vessel in the mid-19th century Great Lakes trade. Barks were known for their cargo capacity and were often employed in transporting bulk goods such as iron ore.

Description

Constructed in 1856 by Peck & Masters in Cleveland, Ohio, the De Soto measured 161 feet in length, 34 feet in beam, and 11 feet in depth (approx. 49.1 m x 10.4 m x 3.4 m), with a gross tonnage of 583 tons (approx. 529 metric tonnes). Designed for durability and cargo capacity, she was a robust vessel suited for the rigors of Great Lakes navigation.

History

The De Soto served in the Great Lakes maritime trade for 13 years under the ownership of R.K. Winslow of Cleveland, Ohio. On November 19, 1869, while lying at anchor in Marquette, Michigan, during a gale, the vessel dragged her anchors and collided with the schooner Athenian, resulting in the loss of her jibboom and bowsprit. Subsequently, she was laid up at a dock in Marquette awaiting repairs. On December 12, 1869, a nor’easter tore her loose from the dock, causing her to drag ashore just south of the Cleveland dock, where she was pounded to pieces by the storm. No casualties were reported in the incident.

Significant Incidents

  • November 19, 1869: Collided with the schooner Athenian while at anchor during a gale.
  • December 12, 1869: Torn loose from dock by a nor’easter and dragged ashore, resulting in total loss.

Final Disposition

The De Soto was declared a total loss after the December 12, 1869, storm. The wreckage settled in shallow waters near Marquette, Michigan. Today, remnants of the vessel’s framing and planking lie in approximately 10 feet (3 meters) of water, making it accessible to divers and snorkelers.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The remains of the De Soto are located within the Marquette Underwater Preserve. While the exact date of discovery is not specified, the site is documented and monitored by the preserve.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The De Soto serves as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Her remains offer a tangible connection to this rich history and provide an accessible site for divers and maritime enthusiasts to explore.