Dunderburgh US 6151

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Dunderburgh
• Type: Three-masted schooner
• Year Built: 1867
• Builder: James M. Jones, Detroit, Michigan
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 596 tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 45.7 m / 150 ft
• Location: Approximately 4 miles off Harbor Beach, Michigan
• Official Number: U.S. No. 6151
• Number of Masts: Three

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Empire State: A propeller-driven steamer constructed to carry general cargo across the Great Lakes. No specific details about its build or specifications are available. The vessel was known for its capacity and service in regional trade.

Dunderburgh:

• Official Number: U.S. No. 6151
• Build Year: 1867
• Builder: James M. Jones, Detroit, Michigan
• Specifications: Tonnage: 596 tons; Type: Wooden three-masted schooner
• Cargo at Time of Incident: 40,000 bushels of grain
• Design Features: Notable for its unique river alligator figurehead, a distinct feature of its construction.

Description

The Dunderburgh was a wooden three-masted schooner built in 1867, known for its cargo capacity and distinctive figurehead. It was involved in a collision with the Empire State on August 13, 1868, leading to its eventual sinking off Harbor Beach, Michigan.

History

On August 13, 1868, the Empire State collided with the Dunderburgh during a routine voyage on Lake Huron. The incident occurred in the early hours under unclear visibility, attributed to human error on the part of the Empire State’s mate.

Collision Outcome:

Empire State:

• Sank within 10 minutes.
• Aboard was Mrs. Wilcox, the owner’s wife, who tragically drowned, marking the only known fatality.
• Wreck location remains undiscovered.

Dunderburg:

• Severely damaged but managed to limp to Sarnia, Ontario, in a sinking condition.
• Eventually sank off Harbor Beach, Michigan, where it rests today.

Significant Incidents

Empire State: Sank rapidly following the collision. Its wreck remains undiscovered, and its cargo is presumed lost.

Dunderburg: The schooner was scuttled near Harbor Beach after being abandoned as a total loss. The site is preserved remarkably well, including its alligator figurehead, and has become a popular technical diving location.

Final Disposition

The Dunderburgh wreck is well-preserved and sits upright in 150 feet (45.7 meters) of water. It is accessible to technical divers, with visible artifacts including the figurehead and structural elements.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Empire State:

• Status: Unlocated
• Access: Not applicable.

Dunderburg:

• Status: Well-preserved; sits upright in 150 feet (45.7 meters) of water.
• Accessibility: Suitable for technical divers due to depth and visibility. Artifacts, including the figurehead and structural elements, remain visible and intact.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”dunderburgh-us-6151″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The collision of the Empire State and Dunderburg on Lake Huron represents one of the dramatic maritime disasters of the Great Lakes. While the wreck of the Empire State remains undiscovered, the Dunderburg offers a tangible link to this history. The site serves as a compelling destination for divers and historians alike, preserving a critical chapter in the narrative of Great Lakes shipping.