Gray Oak – Lake Superior Schooner Shipwreck (1911)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Gray Oak
• Type: Wooden Scow Schooner-Barge
• Year Built: 1885
• Builder: F. D. Maynard, Bayfield, Wisconsin
• Dimensions: Length 133.7 ft (40.8 m); Beam 31.7 ft (9.7 m); Depth of hold 9.01 ft (2.7 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 290.97 tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 29 m / 95 ft
• Location: Near Welcome Island, Thunder Bay, Lake Superior
• Coordinates: 48°20.745'N, 89°06.390'W
• Official Number: 85916
• Original Owners: R. D. Pike, J.V. Lutts, Daniel H. Wilcox
• Number of Masts: Two masts (removed during conversion)

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Gray Oak was a two-masted wooden schooner-barge, designed for transporting bulk materials across the Great Lakes.

Description

The Gray Oak was constructed in 1885 and featured a single deck and a wooden hull. It had a length of 133.7 feet (40.8 meters), a beam of 31.7 feet (9.7 meters), and a depth of 9.01 feet (2.7 meters). The vessel had a gross tonnage of 290.97 tons and a net tonnage of 277.25 tons, with a cargo capacity of 500,000 feet of lumber or sandstone.

History

The Gray Oak primarily transported sandstone from the Apostle Islands to ports in Wisconsin, including Ashland and Bayfield. It was towed by larger steamers throughout its operational years:

• 1887: Towed by the ONIEDA, alongside the R.N. RICE and R.J. CARNEY.
• 1888: Worked with the MAY DORR and HALSTED, carrying railroad ties.
• 1889: Towed by the ROBERT HOLLAND with the S.M. STEPHENSON and ANNIE SHERWOOD.
• 1892: Ownership changed to J.V. Lutts of Port Clinton, Ohio, towed by YOSEMITE and later the LELAND.

Significant Incidents

In 1893, the Gray Oak was purchased by Daniel H. Wilcox of Buffalo and converted into a lighter for transferring cargo. Its masts were removed, and it transported flour and other goods between St. Paul and Duluth.

By 1911, the vessel was scuttled in Thunder Bay, near the Welcome Islands, at a depth of 100 feet. In 1912, it was sold to Canadian interests, marking its final ownership transition.

Final Disposition

The Gray Oak was deliberately scuttled in 1911 near the Welcome Islands in Thunder Bay, Lake Superior. Its remains rest at a depth of 95 feet (29 meters), providing an accessible dive site for enthusiasts interested in Great Lakes shipwreck history.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Wreck Condition: The wooden structure is relatively well-preserved, thanks to the cold, fresh waters of Lake Superior. Key features such as the hull and cargo areas may still be visible.

Depth: At 95 feet, the wreck is accessible to experienced recreational divers using standard scuba equipment.

Marine Life: The wreck provides habitat for a variety of freshwater fish and other aquatic species.

Access: The site is a popular dive location, with nearby Thunder Bay serving as a base for dive expeditions.

Resources & Links

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The Gray Oak served as a hardworking schooner-barge in the Great Lakes for over two decades, adapting to changing commercial demands and ownership. Its final scuttling near Welcome Island adds to the storied underwater landscape of Lake Superior, offering divers and historians a tangible connection to the region’s rich maritime history.