Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Iron Chief
- Type: Wooden Propeller
- Year Built: 1881
- Builder:
- Dimensions: 212 ft (64.62 m); Beam: 35 ft; Depth of hold: 17 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 1,154 gross; 996 net
- Location: Approximately 10 miles northeast of Point Au Barques, Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron
- Coordinates: 44° 05.612′ N 082° 42.575′ W
- Original Owners: James Corrigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The IRON CHIEF was a wooden-hulled vessel built in 1881 as a schooner. Later, it underwent conversion into a bulk propeller, reflecting the growing demand for larger and more efficient vessels on the Great Lakes.
Description
Measuring 212 feet in length with a beam of 35 feet and a depth of 17 feet, the vessel was sizable for its time. It had a gross tonnage of 1,154 and a net tonnage of 996, making it capable of carrying substantial cargo loads, including coal, its cargo at the time of the sinking.
History
The IRON CHIEF had a long career, starting as a schooner before being modified into a bulk propeller, a type of vessel optimized for carrying heavy bulk cargoes such as coal, iron ore, and grain. Owned by James Corrigan of Cleveland, the vessel played a role in the bustling maritime trade of the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
On October 3, 1904, while crossing Saginaw Bay en route to Fort William with a cargo of coal, disaster struck. The vessel’s stern pipe broke, leading to rapid flooding of the hull. Despite the crew’s attempts to control the flooding, the situation deteriorated, forcing them to abandon the ship.
The propeller ANDREW CARNEGIE arrived to assist, attempting to tow the stricken IRON CHIEF to safety. Unfortunately, the effort was unsuccessful, and the vessel eventually settled on the bottom of Lake Huron. Remarkably, the crew was safely rescued before the ship sank, avoiding any loss of life. The vessel, insured for $30,000, was considered a total loss.
Significant Incidents
- October 3, 1904: The stern pipe of the IRON CHIEF broke, leading to flooding and abandonment of the vessel.
- The ANDREW CARNEGIE attempted to tow the IRON CHIEF to safety but was unsuccessful.
Final Disposition
The IRON CHIEF sank in Lake Huron northeast of Point Au Barques after its stern pipe failed. The vessel could not be salvaged and remains submerged, adding to the numerous wrecks scattered across the Great Lakes.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the IRON CHIEF is submerged and remains a total loss. Divers are encouraged to respect the site and engage in no-touch documentation methods, leaving only bubbles and taking only memories.
Resources & Links
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The sinking of the IRON CHIEF highlights the perils of early 20th-century navigation on the Great Lakes. Despite its conversion to a bulk propeller, the vessel was no match for the catastrophic failure of its stern pipe. The crew’s safe evacuation is a testament to their preparedness and the timely intervention of the ANDREW CARNEGIE. Today, the wreck of the IRON CHIEF lies as a silent witness to the dangers faced by vessels navigating these vast inland seas.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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