Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Delaware
- Type: Schooner Barge
- Year Built: 1868
- Builder: Campbell and Owen Shipyard, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Dimensions: Length: 173.6 ft (52.9 m); Beam: 30.4 ft (9.3 m); Depth of hold: 13.6 ft (4.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 547 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 6 m / 20 ft
- Location: Sturgeon Bay, Drummond Island, Michigan
- Coordinates: 45° 59.920’N, 83° 49.500’W
- Official Number: (not conclusively documented in Canadian registry; US official numbers used)
- Original Owners: Various, including Winslow fleet, Wilson fleet, and Blodgett fleet
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Delaware was a classic Great Lakes schooner barge, built for bulk freight. These vessels were frequently towed behind steam-powered tugs to haul iron ore, coal, grain, and timber. In later years, she was converted to a “lumber hooker” — a vessel dedicated to hauling timber cargoes.
Her wooden construction with iron and copper fastenings represented late-19th-century barge design adapted for rugged service on the upper lakes.
Description
The Delaware was launched in 1868 and served primarily in the iron ore and coal trade. She was an important part of bulk transport on the Great Lakes, joining various fleets throughout her service life.
History
Early Years (1868–1885):
Launched in 1868 by Campbell and Owen Shipyard in Detroit, Delaware entered the iron ore and coal trade between Cleveland, Buffalo, and Lake Superior ports. By 1871, she joined the Winslow fleet of Buffalo, becoming an important part of bulk transport on the Great Lakes.
Mid-Career (1885–1898):
In 1885, the Delaware became part of the Wilson fleet out of Cleveland. In 1887, she wrecked near Hammond Bay, Michigan, while carrying pig iron. She was raised and rebuilt, a testament to the durability and salvage value of these rugged wooden barges.
The Lumber Hooker Era (1898–1926):
In 1898, Delaware joined the Blodgett fleet, working as a “lumber hooker” moving timber. She remained active in this trade for nearly three decades, adapting to shifts in the Great Lakes economy.
Final Years (1926–1927):
In 1926, Samuel Shields and Earl Weston of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, acquired Delaware with the plan of converting her into a crib for dock construction at Sturgeon Bay, Drummond Island. The project never materialized, and by 1927 she was abandoned in place.
Significant Incidents
- Wrecked near Hammond Bay, Michigan in 1887 while carrying pig iron; raised and rebuilt.
Final Disposition
The Delaware was left to decay in shallow water at Sturgeon Bay. Her lower hull remains preserved in cold freshwater, while her upper works gradually collapsed. There is no evidence she was ever formally scuttled.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Substantial lower hull sections remain; deck and cabins are collapsed or missing. Marine life includes perch, crayfish, and freshwater sponges. Very easy snorkeling and kayak exploration; clear water in calm weather.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”delaware-1868″ title=”References & Links”]
The Delaware is a vivid illustration of the adaptability of 19th-century schooner barges. From iron ore to lumber, she served the Great Lakes trade for nearly 60 years, undergoing rebuilds and surviving multiple ownership changes. Her final abandonment as a crib project that never happened leaves a quiet but fascinating historical marker in Sturgeon Bay. Today, she offers snorkellers and kayakers a tangible link to Great Lakes shipping heritage.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name(s): Delaware
- Official Number: (not conclusively documented in Canadian registry; US official numbers used)
- Year Built: 1868
- Builder: Campbell and Owen Shipyard, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Vessel Type: Schooner Barge
- Dimensions:
- Length: 52.9 m (173.6 feet)
- Beam: 9.3 m (30.4 feet)
- Depth of Hold: 4.1 m (13.6 feet)
- Gross Tonnage: 547 tons
- Final Resting Place: Sturgeon Bay, Drummond Island, Michigan (Lake Huron)
- Coordinates: 45° 59.920’N, 83° 49.500’W
- Depth: Shallow water (less than 6 m / 20 feet), accessible to snorkelers and kayakers
- Date Lost / Abandoned: Circa 1927
Vessel Type Description
The Delaware was a classic Great Lakes schooner barge, built for bulk freight. These vessels were frequently towed behind steam-powered tugs to haul iron ore, coal, grain, and timber. In later years, she was converted to a “lumber hooker” — a vessel dedicated to hauling timber cargoes.
Her wooden construction with iron and copper fastenings represented late-19th-century barge design adapted for rugged service on the upper lakes.
History
Early Years (1868–1885):
Launched in 1868 by Campbell and Owen Shipyard in Detroit, Delaware entered the iron ore and coal trade between Cleveland, Buffalo, and Lake Superior ports. By 1871, she joined the Winslow fleet of Buffalo, becoming an important part of bulk transport on the Great Lakes.
Mid-Career (1885–1898):
In 1885, the Delaware became part of the Wilson fleet out of Cleveland. In 1887, she wrecked near Hammond Bay, Michigan, while carrying pig iron. She was raised and rebuilt, a testament to the durability and salvage value of these rugged wooden barges.
The Lumber Hooker Era (1898–1926):
In 1898, Delaware joined the Blodgett fleet, working as a “lumber hooker” moving timber. She remained active in this trade for nearly three decades, adapting to shifts in the Great Lakes economy.
Final Years (1926–1927):
In 1926, Samuel Shields and Earl Weston of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, acquired Delaware with the plan of converting her into a crib for dock construction at Sturgeon Bay, Drummond Island. The project never materialized, and by 1927 she was abandoned in place.
Final Dispositions
The Delaware was left to decay in shallow water at Sturgeon Bay. Her lower hull remains preserved in cold freshwater, while her upper works gradually collapsed. There is no evidence she was ever formally scuttled.
Located By & Date Found
Local residents have known the wreck’s location since abandonment in the 1920s, and recreational divers and snorkellers have periodically documented it since the 1980s. No formal archaeological survey has been published.
Notmars & Advisories
No current Notmar (Notice to Mariners) warnings apply. However, shallow hull remains could pose a hazard to small craft in very low water conditions.
Shore Dive Information
- Shore Access Location: Sturgeon Bay, Drummond Island, MI
- Entry Type: Kayak or shallow wading/snorkel
- Depth Range: 0–6 m (0–20 feet)
- Current & Conditions: Calm; minimal current but can be silty after storms
- Points of Interest: Partially intact hull bottom, fastenings, and metal fittings
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Safety & Emergency Info:
- Nearest hyperbaric chamber: Sault Area Hospital, Sault Ste. Marie, ON
- U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie VHF 16
- Nearest 911 address: Drummond Island, MI
- Local Regulations: Michigan Historic Preservation laws apply — removal of artifacts prohibited
- Best Time to Dive: June–September
- Driving Directions: Google Maps to Drummond Island
- Additional Resources: Local kayak rentals, Drummond Island visitor centres
Current Condition & Accessibility
- Condition: Substantial lower hull sections remain; deck and cabins are collapsed or missing.
- Marine Life: Perch, crayfish, freshwater sponges
- Accessibility: Very easy snorkeling and kayak exploration; clear water in calm weather
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships Database – BGSU
- Save Ontario Shipwrecks
- Visit Drummond Island
- Shotline Diving – Delaware
- Library of Congress Historic Ship Files
Conclusion
The Delaware is a vivid illustration of the adaptability of 19th-century schooner barges. From iron ore to lumber, she served the Great Lakes trade for nearly 60 years, undergoing rebuilds and surviving multiple ownership changes. Her final abandonment as a crib project that never happened leaves a quiet but fascinating historical marker in Sturgeon Bay. Today, she offers snorkellers and kayakers a tangible link to Great Lakes shipping heritage.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
- Keywords: Delaware, schooner barge, lumber hooker, Great Lakes shipwreck, Drummond Island, Lake Huron
- Categories: Michigan shipwrecks, shallow wrecks, wooden freighters, 19th-century Great Lakes trade
- Glossary Terms: schooner barge, crib, lumber hooker, salvage, abandonment