Grenada (Drednaught)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: DREDNAUGHT (also referred to as GRENADA)
• Type: Wooden-Hulled Schooner
• Year Built:
• Builder:
• Dimensions: 150 ft (45.7 m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Near Duncan City, Lake Michigan

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The DREDNAUGHT, also known as GRENADA, is classified as a wooden-hulled schooner, designed for carrying bulk cargo across the Great Lakes.

Description

The schooner DREDNAUGHT, known by some as GRENADA, was constructed to carry bulk cargo, particularly iron ore, across the Great Lakes. On December 2, 1875, the ship foundered near Duncan City, Michigan, succumbing to the treacherous waters of Lake Michigan. The vessel’s wooden hull and iron ore cargo settled on the lakebed, marking its place in the annals of Great Lakes maritime tragedies.

History

Disputes over the wreck’s name emerged in subsequent years, as historical records and divers debated its identity. Despite the confusion, the wreck is now known as part of the Alger Underwater Preserve, a renowned dive site celebrated for its shipwrecks.

Significant Incidents

• On December 2, 1875, the DREDNAUGHT foundered in Lake Michigan.
• Captain Nickerson of Cleveland led salvage efforts to raise the vessel, which was successfully recovered and towed for repairs.
• The estimated cost for repairs was $200, a modest amount for the era.

Final Disposition

While the schooner was temporarily raised and repaired, its ultimate fate has faded into history. Its legacy lives on as part of the underwater landscape of Lake Michigan, serving as a point of intrigue for divers and historians.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the DREDNAUGHT/GRENADA lies within the Alger Underwater Preserve, where it has become an iconic dive site. Its wooden hull and remnants of its cargo offer a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century maritime life. The site is popular among divers and is accessible for exploration under proper dive conditions.

Resources & Links

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The DREDNAUGHT/GRENADA stands as a testament to the resilience of maritime communities and their determination to preserve the history and stories of the Great Lakes. It continues to capture the imagination of those who venture beneath the surface to uncover its mysteries.