Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Fedora
• Type: Propeller-driven freighter
• Year Built: 1889
• Builder:
• Dimensions: Length 282.2 ft (86 m); Beam 41.5 ft (12.6 m); Depth of hold 20.1 ft (6.1 m)
• Registered Tonnage:
• Depth at Wreck Site: 3 m / 10 ft
• Location: Near Apostle Islands, Lake Superior, Wisconsin
• Official Number: 120746

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Fedora was a wooden-hulled propeller freighter, a common vessel type for transporting goods across the Great Lakes during the late 19th century.

Description

Built in 1889, the Fedora served as a significant cargo carrier during a time when wooden freighters were being pushed to their limits in size and capability. Measuring over 282 ft, the vessel was among the larger wooden freighters of its era. However, advancements in steel-hulled shipbuilding were already signaling the decline of wooden freighters like the Fedora.

In 1901, while carrying a cargo of iron ore, the Fedora caught fire near the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. The fire destroyed the vessel, and it was eventually scuttled in shallow water. Its demise highlighted the vulnerability of wooden ships to fire, particularly when carrying heavy or combustible cargoes.

History

The wreck of the Fedora lies in 10 ft (3 m) of water near the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior, Wisconsin. The remains, comprising the lower hull and portions of the sides, rest on a sandy, silty bottom. The hull is largely intact but heavily impacted by ice damage and scavenging over the years.

Significant Incidents

• The starboard side of the hull was burned down to the bilge level, while the port side retains some of its structure above the turn of the bilge.
• Iron cross braces and futtocks are visible protruding from the wreck site.
• Machinery and other surface artifacts were salvaged shortly after the vessel’s loss, and the site has been subjected to further scavenging.

Final Disposition

The wreck is well-documented due to its accessibility and historical importance. Its location near the Apostle Islands has made it a notable site for both researchers and recreational divers.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The shallow depth and proximity to the Apostle Islands make the wreck site accessible to divers, snorkelers, and even kayakers under calm conditions. However, ice damage during winter months has continually altered the site. Visitors are encouraged to respect the wreck’s historical significance and avoid disturbing its remnants.

Resources & Links

Overall, the Fedora serves as a reminder of the maritime history of the Great Lakes and the transition from wooden to steel vessels.