Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Excelsior (George)

Explore the remains of the Excelsior, a historic stern-wheeler scuttled in 1909, now resting in Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Excelsior (George)
  • Type: Stern-Wheeler
  • Year Built: 1901
  • Builder: M. J. Godfrey and Sons, with George Day
  • Dimensions: Length: 125 ft (38.1 m); Width: 22 ft (6.7 m); Depth: Not documented
  • Registered Tonnage: Not Applicable
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 15.2 m / 50 ft
  • Location: Lake Minnetonka, near Big Island, Minnesota
  • Official Number: Not Applicable
  • Original Owners: Twin City Rapid Transit Company
  • Number of Masts: Not Applicable

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The vessel was a stern-wheeler designed primarily for passenger excursions. Stern-wheelers were common for inland waterways due to their ability to navigate shallow waters.

Description

The George, later known as the Excelsior, was a wooden-hulled stern-wheeler built in 1901 for operation on Lake Minnetonka, a scenic waterbody popular for leisure and tourism near Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its primary purpose was as an excursion vessel, ferrying passengers for sightseeing and social outings.

In 1904, the vessel underwent significant reconstruction and was renamed Excelsior, reflecting its evolution into a more refined excursion steamer. In 1906, it became part of the Twin City Rapid Transit Company fleet, which sought to capitalize on the growing demand for leisure activities around the lake. However, this boom was short-lived, and the decline in tourism made the vessel increasingly unprofitable.

History

By 1909, the demand for excursion services on Lake Minnetonka had diminished. To generate revenue, the vessel’s owners decided to turn its demise into a spectacle. On August 9, 1909, approximately 5,000 spectators gathered as the Excelsior was towed to the middle of Lake Minnetonka, where it was ceremoniously burned and scuttled. This event marked the end of the vessel’s operational history.

Significant Incidents

  • The vessel was ceremoniously burned and scuttled on August 9, 1909, in front of approximately 5,000 spectators.

Final Disposition

The wreck site lies at a depth of 50 ft (15.2 m) in Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota, near Big Island. The site has been documented, revealing remnants of the vessel’s deck, truss-rods, and the stern-wheel support beams. The bow area still retains features like the flag pole and H bitt.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck site is generally accessible to divers and is noted for its historical significance. There are no marked obstructions in the area. However, due to the fragile nature of the remnants, divers should exercise caution to avoid damaging the site.

Resources & Links

Overall, the Excelsior serves as a significant piece of maritime history, representing the era of excursion vessels on Lake Minnetonka and the spectacle of its final demise.