Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Green River C 138863 (Gogebic)

Explore the well-preserved wreck of the Green River, a historical wooden bulk propeller turned barge, lying at 80 feet in Thunder Bay, Lake Superior.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: GOGEBIC (later renamed GREEN RIVER)
  • Type: Wooden Bulk Propeller (later converted to a Barge)
  • Year Built: October 1887
  • Builder: Wheeler’s Shipyard, West Bay City, Michigan
  • Dimensions: Length 230 ft (70.1 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, Lake Superior
  • Coordinates: N 48° 21.932′, W 89° 8.575′
  • Official Number: C 138863
  • Original Owners: Mills Transportation Co.
  • Number of Masts: Not specified

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The GOGEBIC was a wooden bulk propeller ship designed for the Great Lakes trade, later converted into a barge.

Description

The GOGEBIC, later renamed GREEN RIVER, was built in 1887 and served primarily in the transportation of goods across the Great Lakes. It was converted into a barge in 1921, reflecting the economic changes of the time.

History

The GOGEBIC was constructed in October 1887 at Wheeler’s Shipyard in West Bay City, Michigan. Initially operated by Mills Transportation Co., it was designed for the Lake Superior trade. In 1921, it was converted into a barge and registered in Canada as GREEN RIVER. By 1932, the vessel was dismantled and scuttled off Welcome Island on November 5, 1932.

Significant Incidents

  • Converted to a barge in 1921, marking a shift from powered operations to being towed.
  • Dismantled and scuttled in 1932 after its useful life ended.

Final Disposition

The remains of the GOGEBIC/GREEN RIVER were deliberately scuttled to dispose of the dismantled hull. The wreck lies intact at a depth of 80 feet (26 meters), serving as a significant dive site.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is well-preserved and offers divers a chance to explore a historically significant site. Its structural integrity and large dimensions make it an impressive dive location, accessible from Welcome Island.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”green-river-c-138863-gogebic” title=”References & Links”]

This wreck represents an important piece of Great Lakes maritime history, illustrating the transition from powered freighters to barges and the challenges faced by vessels in the early 20th century.

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.

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

  • Name: GOGEBIC (later renamed GREEN RIVER)
  • Type: Wooden Bulk Propeller (later converted to a Barge)
  • Location: Welcome Island, Thunder Bay, Lake Superior
  • Coordinates: N 48° 21.932′, W 89° 8.575′
  • Depth of Wreck: 80 feet (26 meters)
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 230 feet (70.1 meters)
    • Beam: 40.4 feet (12.3 meters)
    • Depth: 19.4 feet (5.9 meters)
  • Date Built: October 1887
  • Builder: Wheeler’s Shipyard, West Bay City, Michigan
  • Gross Tonnage: 1,680 tons
  • Net Tonnage: 1,312 tons
  • Engine: Triple expansion engine (20″, 32″, and 52″ cylinders with a 40″ stroke)
  • Boilers: Scotch boilers (10 x 12 feet), supplied by S.F. Hodge & Co., Detroit Original Owner: Mills Transportation Co.
  • Captain at Launch: Alvin Neal

HISTORY

The GOGEBIC was a wooden bulk propeller ship built in 1887, specifically designed for the Lake Superior trade. The vessel operated for Mills Transportation Co., primarily transporting goods across the Great Lakes.

In 1921, the ship was converted into a barge and renamed GREEN RIVER, with its registration transferred to Canada (official number C 138863). The conversion marked a shift from powered operations to being towed, reflecting changing economic conditions and the obsolescence of older steam-powered vessels.

By 1932, the vessel’s useful life had ended, and it was dismantled. The hull was subsequently scuttled off Welcome Island in Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, on November 5, 1932.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The remains of the GOGEBIC/Green River were deliberately scuttled to dispose of the dismantled hull. Today, the wreck lies intact at a depth of 80 feet (26 meters), making it a fascinating site for divers and a poignant reminder of the maritime history of the Great Lakes.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

  • Condition: The wreck is well-preserved for its age and provides divers with an opportunity to explore a historically significant wooden bulk propeller turned barge. The structural integrity of the hull and its large dimensions make it an impressive dive site.
  • Depth: The site lies at a moderate depth of 80 feet (26 meters), suitable for recreational divers with advanced training.
  • Location: Accessible from Welcome Island, the wreck is a popular destination for those exploring Thunder Bay’s rich underwater heritage.

RESOURCES & LINKS

  • Shipbuilding Master List of Frank Wheeler & Co., West Bay City
  • Institute for Great Lakes Research, Perrysburg, Ohio
  • Newspaper archives: The Marine Record and Port Huron Daily Times (October 1887)
  • Local Diving Clubs: For guided dives and additional site information.
  • Historical Societies: Thunder Bay historical archives and the Great Lakes Maritime Museum may have more records.

This wreck serves as an important piece of Great Lakes maritime history, representing the transition from powered freighters to barges and the challenges faced by vessels in the early 20th century.

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