Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Golspie
- Type: Wooden-hulled steamer
- Year Built: 188?–1906
- Builder:
- Dimensions: ~200 ft (61 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Brulé Bay, near Michipicoten Island, Lake Superior
- Original Owners: MacKay Company, Sault Ste. Marie, ONT
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled steamer
Description
The Golspie was a wooden steamer approximately 200 feet in length, owned by the MacKay Company based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It was registered on the Canadian side of Lake Superior.
History
On December 4, 1906, the Golspie was on a charter for package and passage freight, carrying oats and barley. It ran aground broadside on a rocky shoreline near Old Woman Bay in Brulé Bay, close to Michipicoten Island during a blizzard-strength gale with heavy seas. The vessel remained hard aground and broke up against the rocks, with the hull completely shattered by December 7, resulting in a total loss.
Significant Incidents
- No crew fatalities reported during the wreck.
- Five crewmen suffered severe frostbite, with some losing hands or feet due to exposure.
Final Disposition
The Golspie was deemed a total loss, breaking apart over several days. No salvage was possible, and the wreck site lies in the shallows of Brulé Bay, visibly wrecked on the rocky beach.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Golspie is located in shallow waters and is visible on the rocky beach of Brulé Bay. The condition of the wreck is deteriorating due to exposure to the elements.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”golspie” title=”References & Links”]
The Golspie serves as a reminder of the perils faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, particularly during severe weather conditions. Its wreck is a site of interest for divers and historians alike.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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