John W. Cullen – Lake Huron Shipwreck (1932)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: JOHN W. CULLEN (formerly GEORGE C. MARKHAM)
• Type: Wooden bulk carrier; originally a lumber carrier, later converted to sand dredge
• Year Built: 1883
• Builder: Milwaukee Shipyard Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Dimensions: Length 141 ft (43 m); Beam 28 ft (8.5 m); Depth of hold 10.4 ft (3.2 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 309 GT
• Depth at Wreck Site: 12 m / 40 ft
• Location: Approximately 600 ft north of Frying Pan Island
• Coordinates: 45.98918, -83.89653
• Official Number: US 85779
• Original Owners: Fitzgerald family of Milwaukee; later owned by Thomas Munroe and George A. Douglas
• Number of Masts: Not specified

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The vessel began life as a wooden-hulled steam-powered lumber carrier, later retrofitted as a sand dredge, reflecting resource transport demands on the Great Lakes in the early 20th century.

Description

The John W. Cullen measured 141 ft in length and originally carried lumber, later configured for dredging sand. It had a shallow hull (10.4 ft hold depth) and compact beam (28 ft), designed for nearshore industrial use. The machinery was removed post-sinking, leaving a largely intact hull.

History

• 1883: Launched as GEORGE C. MARKHAM, serving as a lumber carrier under Milwaukee ownership.
• 1899: Sold to Thomas Munroe, Muskegon, Michigan; continued in lumber transport.
• 1914–1917: Purchased by George A. Douglas of Detroit and converted to sand dredge; later sold to Cadillac Builders Supply.
• 1923: Renamed JOHN W. CULLEN.
• Late 1920s/Early 1930s: Sunk off Frying Pan Island under uncertain circumstances; machinery later salvaged. Wreck belonged to DeTour Passage area and is now a protected dive preserve.

Significant Incidents

• Wrecked and sank near Frying Pan Island, with machinery salvaged post-sinking.

Final Disposition

The hull rests submerged approximately 600 ft (183 m) north of Frying Pan Island. Machinery—engine, boiler, and dredging equipment—has been removed, but the wooden hull remains largely intact in shallow depths ranging from 5–40 ft (1.5–12 m).

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is part of the DeTour Passage Underwater Preserve, well-documented and accessible for divers. The site is in shallow, sheltered water, typically offering good visibility.

Resources & Links

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The John W. Cullen (ex-George C. Markham) reflects the evolving use of Great Lakes vessels—from lumber carrier to sand dredge—now preserved in Michigan’s underwater heritage. Its shallow, accessible wreck site offers a compelling dive experience, enriched by the presence of neighbouring wrecks and relics. While machinery removal simplifies navigation, structure and debris may still challenge divers. This well-known but underexplored wreck contributes meaningfully to regional maritime history and recreational diving.