Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Gogebic (later renamed Green River)
• Type: Wooden Bulk Propeller (converted to a barge in 1921)
• Year Built: 1887
• Builder: Wheeler’s Shipyard, West Bay City, Michigan
• Dimensions: Length 227.2 ft (69.3 m); Beam 40.4 ft (12.3 m); Depth of hold 19.4 ft (5.9 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 1,680 tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 26 m / 80 ft
• Location: Welcome Island, Thunder Bay
• Coordinates: 48°21.932′ N, 89°08.575′ W
• Official Number: C 138863
• Original Owners: Mills Transportation Co.
• Number of Masts: N/A

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Gogebic was a wooden bulk freighter designed to serve the robust trade routes of Lake Superior. Constructed with a sturdy wooden hull and powered by an advanced triple-expansion steam engine, the vessel was emblematic of 19th-century Great Lakes shipbuilding.

Description

The Gogebic featured:

• Triple Expansion Engine: Cylinder sizes of 20, 32, and 52 inches with a 40-inch stroke.
• Boilers: Twin Scotch boilers measuring 10 x 12 feet, supplied by S.F. Hodge & Co., Detroit.

The ship’s robust design and machinery allowed it to handle bulk cargoes such as coal, iron ore, and grain. Initially owned by the Mills Transportation Co., it operated extensively in Lake Superior’s trade routes under Captain Alvin Neal.

History

Construction and Early Service (1887–1921)
The Gogebic was launched in October 1887 and immediately began service for the Mills Transportation Co., catering to the growing demands of the Great Lakes trade. Its advanced engine and significant cargo capacity made it an efficient and reliable vessel in transporting bulk goods across Lake Superior.

Conversion to Barge (1921)
By 1921, as steel-hulled ships became the industry standard, the Gogebic was deemed outdated as a powered freighter. The vessel was converted into a barge and renamed Green River. Its registration was transferred to Canada (Official Number: C 138863), marking a new chapter in its operational life as a towed vessel.

Scuttling and Final Disposition (1932)
In 1932, after years of service, the Green River was dismantled and its hull scuttled outside Welcome Island in Thunder Bay, Lake Superior. On November 5, 1932, the vessel was deliberately sunk to create an underwater resting place.

Significant Incidents

• The Gogebic was converted to a barge in 1921 due to the rise of steel-hulled vessels.
• It was scuttled in 1932 to create an artificial reef.

Final Disposition

The Green River was scuttled in 1932 after being dismantled, marking its final resting place in Lake Superior.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Green River’s remains lie at a depth of 80 feet (26 meters), outside Welcome Island in Thunder Bay. While the vessel was dismantled prior to scuttling, the wooden hull is still partially intact. The wreck provides divers with an opportunity to explore remnants of a historic Great Lakes barge.

Resources & Links

The Gogebic/Green River represents a transitional period in Great Lakes maritime history. Its construction reflected the dominance of wooden bulk freighters in the late 19th century, while its conversion and eventual scuttling underscore the shift to more durable steel-hulled vessels in the 20th century.