Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Minneapolis
- Type: Wooden propeller-driven freighter (bulk steamer)
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: Marine City, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length X ft; Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 38 m / 125 ft
- Location: Approximately four miles east of McGulpin Point, Straits of Mackinac, Lake Huron
- Original Owners: Sold in 1888 to A A Parker et al., Detroit, Michigan; Transferred in 1890 to Parker Transportation Co., Detroit (home port Hamtramck, MI)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller-driven freighter (bulk steamer) built in 1873.
Description
The Minneapolis was a wooden freighter that sank in the Straits of Mackinac after sustaining damage from ice flows. It is now a dive site located approximately four miles east of McGulpin Point.
History
Ownership of the Minneapolis changed hands in 1888 when it was sold to A A Parker et al. in Detroit, Michigan. In 1890, it was transferred to Parker Transportation Co., with its home port in Hamtramck, Michigan. The vessel was engaged in transporting coal and was towing two schooner-barges, Red Wing and San Diego, on its last voyage.
Significant Incidents
- On April 4, 1894, the Minneapolis struck ice flows off McGulpin Point, which caused it to become holed and begin leaking.
- The vessel sank at approximately 3:30 AM, with the crew being rescued by the consort vessel San Diego.
Final Disposition
The Minneapolis sank in approximately 125 feet of water and was rediscovered in 1963. Artifacts, including an 1864 Smith & Wesson revolver, were recovered and conserved for display at the Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Museum.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Minneapolis is located about 500 feet from the South Tower of the Mackinac Bridge and is part of the Underwater Preserve, making it an accessible recreational dive site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”minneapolis-1873″ title=”References & Links”]
The Minneapolis serves as a significant example of the hazards faced by vessels navigating the Straits during spring break-up and highlights the early enforcement culture among crew aboard Great Lakes steam freighters.
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: Minneapolis
- Built: 1873, Marine City, Michigan
- Type: Wooden propeller-driven freighter (bulk steamer)
- Loss Date: April 4 1894
- Loss Location: Approximately four miles east of McGulpin Point, Straits of Mackinac, Lake Huron (Wikipedia, Great Lakes Vessel History, Drummond Island Tourism Association)
- Condition: Foundered after ice damage, sank in ~125 ft (38 m) of water (Wikipedia)
Vessel Specifications & Propulsion
- Hull: Wood
- Propulsion: Single screw propeller powered by steam
- Engine/Power: Not explicitly documented; typical for bulk steamers of era
- Length & Tonnage: Not specified in sources
Service History & Operations
- Ownership:
- Sold in 1888 to A A Parker et al., Detroit, Michigan
- Transferred in 1890 to Parker Transportation Co., Detroit (home port Hamtramck, MI) (Great Lakes Vessel History)
- Cargo on Last Voyage: Tow of two schooner-barges (Red Wing and San Diego) carrying coal (Great Lakes Vessel History)
- Ice Damage & Loss:
- Struck ice flows on April 4, 1894, off McGulpin Point
- Became holed (“cut by ice”) and began leaking
- Sank at ~3:30 AM; crew rescued by San Diego (Great Lakes Vessel History, Facebook, YouTube)
Crew & Casualties
- Crew Safety: All crew survived—rescued without reported casualties by the consort vessel San Diego (Wikipedia)
Wreck & Discovery
- Site Details: Resting in ~125 ft (~38 m) of water in the Straits, about 500 ft from the South Tower of the Mackinac Bridge (Mackinac State Historic Parks)
- Rediscovery: Located in 1963; noted for preserving items like an 1864 Smith & Wesson revolver recovered by Mackinac Island State Park artifacts team (Mackinac State Historic Parks)
- Artifact Conservation: Revolver treated and conserved in 2014 for Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Museum (Mackinac State Historic Parks)
SS Minneapolis sinking & recovery story (Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Museum)
Archival & Research Gaps
- Builder Records: Shipyard logs from Marine City, MI (1873)
- Technical Specs: Beam, tonnage, engine details beyond generic data
- Crew List: Names and roles, manifested via enrolment/crew documentation
- Insurance & Marine Court Records: Post-1894 enrollment surrender and claims
- Voyage Logs: Coal shipment origin/destination, tow arrangements
Wreck Significance
- A classic example of ice hazard in the Straits during spring break-up—the “Witch of April.”
- The artifact recovery (Smith & Wesson revolver) highlights early enforcement culture among crew aboard Great Lakes steam freighters.
- Now part of the Underwater Preserve, it’s an accessible recreational dive site—diver education and archaeology resource.
Recommended Next Steps
- Archive Visits: Marine City shipyard records; Detroit shipping registries; crew manifests
- Newspaper Review: Local press (St. Ignace, Mackinac, Detroit papers) April 1894
- Validate Enrolment: Review USCG & Customs records; note enrolment surrender on June 11 1894 (Straits Preserve, HMDB, Mackinac State Historic Parks, Drummond Island Tourism Association, Great Lakes Vessel History)
- Field Survey: If not yet done, commission dive/sonar mapping with Mackinac Preserve agreement