Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Emma Nielson (1883)

Explore the wreck of the Emma Nielson, a three-masted schooner sunk in 1911, resting at 190 ft in Lake Huron, showcasing remarkable preservation and historical artifacts.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Emma Nielsen
  • Type: Three-Masted Schooner
  • Year Built: 1883
  • Builder: Manitowoc, Wisconsin
  • Dimensions: Length: Not documented; Width: Not documented; Depth: Not documented
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 57.91 m / 190 ft
  • Location: Near Port Austin, Michigan
  • Coordinates: Not disclosed
  • Number of Masts: Three masts, all down

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Emma Nielsen was a wooden three-masted schooner designed for cargo transport, playing a vital role in Great Lakes shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Description

The wreck of the Emma Nielsen lies on the lakebed at 190 ft, preserved in remarkable detail due to the cold, fresh waters of Lake Huron:

  • Hull and Bow: The bow is cracked open from the collision, with the damage still clearly visible. The wooden hull remains largely intact.
  • Artifacts and Features: The wooden wheel is still in place, showcasing the craftsmanship of the era. An anchor lies near the bow on the lakebed. All three masts are down but remain near the wreck, with one mast suspended off the wreck, still attached to the crow’s nest.

History

The Emma Nielsen was launched in 1883 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. In 1911, it sank near Port Austin, Michigan, after a collision with the steamship Wyandotte during heavy fog. The schooner struck the side of the Wyandotte, causing catastrophic damage to its bow. The crew quickly abandoned ship and escaped to safety using a yawl boat.

Significant Incidents

  • 1911: The Emma Nielsen sank after a collision with the steamship Wyandotte in heavy fog.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Emma Nielsen remains on the lakebed, providing a significant historical site for divers and maritime historians.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is accessible only to technical divers trained in deep decompression diving. At 190 ft (57.91 m), divers should use rebreathers and trimix gas mixtures to optimize their dive. Visibility in Lake Huron is generally excellent, enhancing the appeal for underwater photography.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”emma-nielson-1883″ title=”References & Links”]

The Emma Nielsen wreck offers a vivid glimpse into the dangers of maritime travel on the Great Lakes. Its preserved artifacts and the dramatic evidence of its collision provide a tangible connection to its tragic story, making it one of Lake Huron’s most fascinating wrecks.

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.

Shipwreck Report: Emma Nielsen

Identification & Site Information

  • Name(s): Emma Nielsen
  • Registry: U.S.
  • Vessel Type: Three-Masted Schooner
  • Year Built: 1883
  • Place Built: Manitowoc, Wisconsin
  • Year Sank: 1911
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Dimensions
  • Length: Not documented
  • Width: Not documented
  • Depth: Not documented

Vessel History

The Emma Nielsen was a wooden three-masted schooner launched in 1883 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Designed for cargo transport, vessels like the Emma Nielsen were essential to Great Lakes shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In 1911, the Emma Nielsen sank near Port Austin, Michigan, after a tragic collision with the steamship Wyandotte during heavy fog. The schooner struck the side of the Wyandotte, causing catastrophic damage to its bow. The crew quickly abandoned ship and escaped to safety using a yawl boat.

Wreck Site Information

  • • Lake: Lake Huron
  • • State/Province: Michigan
  • • Depth: 190 ft (57.91 m)
  • • GPS Coordinates: Not disclosed

3D Model – Emma Nielsen

Shipwreck Emma Nielson by BeckyKaganSchott on Sketchfab

Site Description:

The wreck of the Emma Nielsen lies on the lakebed at 190 ft, preserved in remarkable detail due to the cold, fresh waters of Lake Huron:

• Hull and Bow:

• The bow is cracked open from the collision, with the damage still clearly visible.

• The wooden hull remains largely intact.

• Artifacts and Features:

• Wooden Wheel: Still in place, showcasing the craftsmanship of the era.

• Anchor: Lies near the bow on the lakebed.

• Masts:

• All three masts are down but remain near the wreck.

• One mast is suspended off the wreck, with the crow’s nest still attached.

Diving Notes & Advisories

• Depth Consideration:

At 190 ft (57.91 m), the wreck is accessible only to technical divers trained in deep decompression diving.

• Dive Equipment Used:

• Rebreathers: To extend bottom time and reduce gas requirements.

• Trimix 14/55: A mix of oxygen, helium, and nitrogen optimized for deep dives.

• Bottom Time: Approximately 30 minutes of exploration, requiring 55 minutes of decompression.

• Visibility: Lake Huron’s clear waters provide excellent visibility, enhancing the site’s appeal for underwater photography.

Significance

The Emma Nielsen wreck offers a vivid glimpse into the dangers of maritime travel on the Great Lakes. Its preserved artifacts, including the wooden wheel and anchor, along with the dramatic evidence of its collision, provide a tangible connection to its tragic story.

The suspended mast with its crow’s nest remains a unique feature, making the Emma Nielsen a compelling site for technical divers and maritime historians. The combination of its depth, intact structure, and historical significance makes it one of Lake Huron’s most fascinating wrecks.

Keywords:

Emma Nielsen shipwreck, Lake Huron schooners, three-masted schooner, Great Lakes maritime history, technical diving, deep wreck dives.

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