Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Kreetan
- Type: Gas-screw passenger vessel (wooden hull)
- Year Built: 1919
- Builder: Johnswood (presumably Johnsburg), Michigan
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Approximately 1 mile south of Grand Haven, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 218060
- Original Owners: I. J. Lyons (-1960s), Grand Haven, Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
The Kreetan was a gas-screw passenger vessel constructed with a wooden hull, designed for utility and passenger transport.
Description
Description
Built in 1919, the Kreetan served primarily in the Grand Haven area. The vessel was involved in towing operations at the time of its loss.
History
History
The Kreetan was owned by I. J. Lyons and operated from Grand Haven, Michigan. It was primarily used for passenger transport and utility services on Lake Michigan.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- On November 15, 1939, while engaged in a towing operation, the Kreetan was crushed between two scows, resulting in immediate sinking.
- There were four crew members aboard at the time, all of whom escaped unharmed, with no recorded casualties.
- The incident occurred without any cargo on board, categorizing it as a towing accident.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The Kreetan sank quickly and is presumed to be a total loss. No formal salvage or archaeological work has been documented, and it is likely that the wreck remains submerged and unmapped in Lake Michigan.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site of the Kreetan is currently undocumented underwater, representing a potential target for future nautical archaeology and heritage documentation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”kreetan-us-218060″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion
The Kreetan was a small wooden gas-screw passenger vessel that sank in 1939 after a towing accident. The wreck site offers opportunities for research and exploration to enhance understanding of its history and construction.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Kreetan
- Official Number: 218060
- Type: Gas‑screw passenger vessel (wooden hull)
- Built: 1919, Johnswood (presumably Johnsburg), Michigan
- Owner & Homeport: Grand Haven, Michigan; owned by I. J. Lyons (-1960s) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Date of Loss: November 15, 1939
- Location of Incident: Approximately 1 mile south of Grand Haven, Lake Michigan (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Incident Details
- While underway in a towing operation, Kreetan was crushed between two scows, an accident in which the vessel was severely damaged and sank immediately.
- There were four crew aboard, all of whom escaped unharmed—no casualties were recorded (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- The incident occurred without any recorded cargo aboard and categories the event as a “towing accident.”
Wreck & Aftermath
- The Kreetan sank quickly and appears to have been an unrecoverable total loss.
- No formal salvage, survey, or archaeological work has been documented. It is likely the vessel remains submerged and unmapped within Lake Michigan, approximately 1 mile down-current from Grand Haven’s maritime channel.
Archival Sources & Research Notes
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“K” list): Core incident summary indicating type, date, operator, loss of life, and accident description (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Research Gaps & Suggested Next Steps
| Research Area | Proposed Methodology |
|---|---|
| Crew identities & testimonies | Search Grand Haven Tribune (Nov–Dec 1939) for incident reports, crew interviews, or rescue details. |
| Salvage operations | Investigate harbor logbooks and Coast Guard records for any subsequent recovery attempts. |
| Ownership and vessel history | Consult Ottawa County maritime registries and Lyons family records via local historical societies for build details and service life. |
| Wreck location survey | Deploy side-scan sonar in Lake Michigan, south of Grand Haven channel, to locate hull debris or shovel artifacts. Coordinates from harbor records may assist. |
Conclusion
The Kreetan was a small wooden gas-screw passenger or utility vessel built in 1919 and operated from Grand Haven, MI, under the ownership of I. J. Lyons. On November 15, 1939, while under tow, she was crushed between two scows and sank near Grand Haven with no loss of life.
Currently undocumented underwater, the wreck site and any associated artifacts represent a potential target for nautical archaeology and heritage documentation. Archival research and remote-sensing surveys would significantly enhance our understanding of the vessel’s construction, operational history, and final resting place.
kreetan-us-218060 1939-11-15 00:39:00