H.D. Coffinberry – Lake Superior Steamer Shipwreck (1917)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: H.D. Coffinberry
• Type: Wooden steam screw cargo ship
• Year Built: 1874
• Builder: Thomas Arnold, East Saginaw, Michigan
• Dimensions: 191.4 ft (58.3 m) × 33.5 ft (10.2 m) × 13.4 ft (4.1 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 778 gross tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 1 m / 3 ft
• Location: Red Cliff Bay, Bayfield County, WI
• Coordinates: N 46° 53.007′, W 090° 45.789′
• Official Number: 95285
• Original Owners: C.G. King & D.K. Clint (Rust, King & Company, original); later Rust, King & Co., Cleveland, OH
• Number of Masts: None

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type

Wooden steam screw cargo ship.

Description

Description

The H.D. Coffinberry was a large wooden steam screw freighter built in 1874 at East Saginaw, Michigan, by shipbuilder Thomas Arnold. At 191 feet long, she was a versatile cargo carrier designed to haul coal, iron ore, grain, and later lumber. She was initially paired with the schooner-barges D.K. Clint and L.C. Butts in the coal and corn trades. Over her long career, she underwent significant rebuilding and engine upgrades, reflecting her owners’ attempts to keep her competitive in the rapidly modernizing Great Lakes fleet.

History

History

• 1874 – Launched at East Saginaw, MI, for Rust, King & Company. Primarily engaged in coal and grain trade, towing large schooner-barges.
• 1879 – Repaired; tonnage revised to 858 gross / 706 net.
• 1881 – Overhauled and painted.
• 1887 (Jun) – Collision with schooner Mary D. Ayer off Chicago.
• 1890 (May) – Stranded in Shingle Bay, St. Mary’s River.
• 1891 – Rebuilt at a cost of $40,000; insurance rating A2.
• 1892 – Reboilered by Phoenix Iron Works, Port Huron.
• 1892 (Aug 25) – Grounded on Lake Huron with iron ore cargo.
• 1893 – New double steeple compound engine installed, 625 hp.
• 1894 (May) – Collision with schooner Wave Crest on Lake Ontario.
• 1898 (Oct) – Grounded near Duluth, MN, Lake Superior.
• 1900 (May) – Grounded near Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron, with consort Chetocah.
• 1900 (Oct) – Collided with and sank the steamer F.E. Spinner in St. Mary’s River.

Significant Incidents

Significant Incidents

• Collision with schooner Mary D. Ayer off Chicago in 1887.
• Stranded in Shingle Bay, St. Mary’s River in 1890.
• Grounded on Lake Huron with iron ore cargo in 1892.
• Collision with schooner Wave Crest on Lake Ontario in 1894.
• Grounded near Duluth, MN, Lake Superior in 1898.
• Collided with and sank the steamer F.E. Spinner in St. Mary’s River in 1900.

Final Disposition

Final Disposition

By 1912, the Coffinberry’s owners were in financial crisis. The vessel was abandoned at Ashland, Wisconsin, after her crew and captain struck, libeled the vessel, and assigned their claims to local attorneys. She sank at the dock, and by 1917 was partially raised by Duluth wreckers for possible salvage. Ultimately, she was towed to Red Cliff Bay, north of Bayfield, and abandoned. Her enrollment was formally surrendered at Toledo, Ohio, on December 31, 1917, listed as “abandoned.”

Current Condition & Accessibility

Current Condition & Accessibility

Today, the Coffinberry lies in 3–6 ft of water at the base of a clay slope on the north side of Red Cliff Bay. The remains consist primarily of the lower hull, including keel, keelson, floors, stringers, and exterior planking. Bow and stern are missing, though boilers are present at the eastern end of the site, confirming hull orientation. The wreck lies parallel to shore, with the bow bearing 285° magnetic. Much of the site is buried under sand and silt.

Resources & Links

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Closing Summary

The H.D. Coffinberry serves as a historical reminder of the challenges faced by Great Lakes shipping in the early 20th century. Its remains are protected under Wisconsin law, and the site is sensitive to erosion and visitor disturbance.