Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Metropole, also known as Sakie Shephard
- Type: Steambarge
- Year Built: 1883
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length 118 ft (35.9 m); Beam 22 ft (6.7 m); Depth of hold 7 ft (2.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 45.7 m / 150 ft
- Location: Lake Huron
- Coordinates: Exact GPS coordinates not disclosed
- Official Number: 115935
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Metropole was a wooden steambarge, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes, designed to transport cargo while utilizing steam propulsion. These vessels often carried bulk goods such as lumber, coal, or grain.
Description
Built in 1883, the Metropole served as a workhorse on the Great Lakes for two decades, ferrying cargo across the region’s vital trade routes. The vessel was powered by a steam engine and featured two masts, likely used for auxiliary sails to assist in propulsion and stability.
In 1903, the Metropole sank in Lake Huron under circumstances not well-documented. Despite the loss, the vessel remains in exceptional condition, likely due to the cold, fresh waters of Lake Huron, which slow the decomposition process and preserve shipwrecks.
History
The wreck of the Metropole lies at a depth of 150 ft (45.7 m) in Lake Huron.
Significant Incidents
- The shipwreck sits upright and is nearly totally intact, a rarity among Great Lakes wrecks.
- Both the bow and stern cabins are complete.
- The pilot house remains intact, offering a glimpse into the vessel’s operational areas.
- The wreck still retains its two masts, adding to its historical and archaeological value.
Final Disposition
The exact GPS coordinates of the wreck have not been disclosed to protect the site from unauthorized exploration and potential looting. The wreck is well-known among advanced divers and maritime historians as one of the best-preserved steambarges in the Great Lakes.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The depth of the Metropole requires advanced diving skills and appropriate equipment, including technical diving certification, due to the 150 ft depth. The site is protected as an underwater cultural resource, and divers are encouraged to avoid disturbing the wreck or removing artifacts.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”metropole-sakie-shephard-us-115935″ title=”References & Links”]
Overall, the Metropole represents a significant piece of maritime history, showcasing the design and functionality of steambarges in the Great Lakes trade.
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.
Identification & Site Information:
- Name(s): Metropole, also known as Sakie Shephard
- Registry: United States
- Official Number: 115935
- Vessel Type: Steambarge
- Year Built: 1883
- Year Sank: 1903
- Hull Material: Wood
- Engines: Steam-powered
- Dimensions:
- Length: 118 ft (35.9 m)
- Width: 22 ft (6.7 m)
- Depth: 7 ft (2.1 m)
Vessel Type
The Metropole was a wooden steambarge, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes, designed to transport cargo while utilizing steam propulsion. These vessels often carried bulk goods such as lumber, coal, or grain.
Description
Built in 1883, the Metropole served as a workhorse on the Great Lakes for two decades, ferrying cargo across the region’s vital trade routes. The vessel was powered by a steam engine and featured two masts, likely used for auxiliary sails to assist in propulsion and stability.
In 1903, the Metropole sank in Lake Huron under circumstances not well-documented. Despite the loss, the vessel remains in exceptional condition, likely due to the cold, fresh waters of Lake Huron, which slow the decomposition process and preserve shipwrecks.
Final Dispositions
The wreck of the Metropole lies at a depth of 150 ft (45.7 m) in Lake Huron.
• The shipwreck sits upright and is nearly totally intact, a rarity among Great Lakes wrecks.
• Both the bow and stern cabins are complete.
• The pilot house remains intact, offering a glimpse into the vessel’s operational areas.
• The wreck still retains its two masts, adding to its historical and archaeological value.
Located By & Date Found
The exact GPS coordinates of the wreck have not been disclosed to protect the site from unauthorized exploration and potential looting. The wreck is well-known among advanced divers and maritime historians as one of the best-preserved steambarges in the Great Lakes.
Notmars & Advisories
The depth of the Metropole requires advanced diving skills and appropriate equipment, including technical diving certification, due to the 150 ft depth. The site is protected as an underwater cultural resource, and divers are encouraged to avoid disturbing the wreck or removing artifacts.
Resources & Links
3DModel – Metropole
Metropole by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab
Keywords, Categories, Glossary
Keywords: Metropole, Sakie Shephard, Lake Huron Shipwrecks, Steambarge, Intact Wrecks
Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Steam-Powered Vessels
Glossary: Steambarge, Pilot House, Bow Cabin, Stern Cabin, Intact Masts
metropole-sakie-shephard-us-115935 1903-03-14 07:54:00