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.
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.
(wooden steamer, 188?–1906)
Vessel Specifications
- Type: Wooden-hulled steamer
- Length: ~200 ft
- Owned by: MacKay Company, Sault Ste. Marie, ONT
- Registry: Canadian side of Lake Superior (inferred from owner location) (J. Rowe Heritage Consulting, Thieves River)
Final Voyage & Wreck – December 4, 1906
- Route & Cargo: On charter for package/passage freight; carried oats and barley
- Incident Location: Ran aground broadside on a rocky shoreline near Old Woman Bay, Brûlé Bay, near Michipicoten Island, Lake Superior (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, J. Rowe Heritage Consulting)
- Storm Conditions: Caught in blizzard-strength gale with heavy seas
- Fate: Remained hard aground and broke up against the rocks; by December 7 the hull was shattered and lost (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia)
Casualties & Crew Injuries
- No crew fatalities reported during the wreck
- Sadly, five crewmen suffered severe frostbite, with some losing hands or feet due to exposure (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Aftermath & Wreck Status
- The Golspie was deemed a total loss, breaking apart over several days
- No salvage was possible; the wreck site lies in the shallows of Brûlé Bay, visibly wrecked on the rocky beach
Sources & Citation Summary
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files extract: details loss by navigational error, location at Brûlé Bay, and crew frostbite cases (J. Rowe Heritage Consulting, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Great Lakes Vessel History – Osceola page notes: stranded Dec 4, no fatalities, but crew severely injured from exposure (greatlakesvesselhistory.com)
- J. Rowe Heritage Consulting / Sault Star coverage confirms grounding at Old Woman Bay and 200-ft length (J. Rowe Heritage Consulting)
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Ship Name | Golspie |
| Type | Wooden steamer (~200 ft) |
| Owner | MacKay Co., Sault Ste. Marie, ON |
| Final Voyage | December 4, 1906 – charter freight |
| Location of Loss | Brûlé Bay / Old Woman Bay, Michipicoten Island |
| Cause | Grounded broadside in gale (navigational error) |
| Crew Casualties | 0 fatalities; 5 crew frostbite injuries |
| Outcome | Broke up over 3 days; total loss |
Suggested Research Next Steps
- Charter logs & manifests from MacKay Company’s freight operations for cargo details
- Local newspaper archives (Sault Star, Wawa Sentinel, 1906 Dec) covering the grounding and rescue activities
- Crew medical records or reports for frostbite cases—hospital or company logs may exist
- Maritime agency records for navigational assessments or charts noting Brûlé Bay hazards