Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mischief
- Type: Wooden Steambarge
- Year Built: 1900
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 39.62 m / 130 ft
- Location: Rocky shore in Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A wooden steambarge repurposed for hauling bulk cargo—iron ore—on the Great Lakes, lacking independent propulsion and reliant on steam tugs.
Description
The Mischief was built of wood in 1900, likely reinforced for heavy bulk cargo. Precise measurements are not available; typical steambarges of the era ranged from 150 to 250 feet. It was a flat-deck bulk carrier, designed to be towed in consort with steamers.
History
Operating on Lake Michigan–Superior routes, Mischief was a regularly towed cargo carrier, transporting iron ore with steam consorts like William Edenborn.
Significant Incidents
- Cause of Loss: A spring gale ripped Mischief free from William Edenborn‘s towline; the barge was blown ashore on a rocky shoreline and broke into pieces.
- Date & Conditions: Occurred during a violent spring storm in 1909 (exact date unspecified).
- Casualties: None—crew were safely carried ashore after a crew member bravely secured a rope to the cliff, enabling their rescue.
Final Disposition
The bow now lies in shallow water, while the stern rests in approximately 130 feet depth under good conditions. The wreck site is frequently dived by local technical divers, with partial remains—most notably the bow—visible.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No official navigation hazard notices recorded; the site is not in commercial traffic. Dive conditions include rocky, shallow-sunny bow area, moving to deeper water near stern. Wreck remains scattered, posing moderate underwater hazards.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mischief-1900″ title=”References & Links”]
Mischief represents a chapter in early 20th-century Great Lakes freight tow practices—lost not to collision or sinking, but to the brutal forces of a spring gale. Her partial remains, notably the bow visible in shallow water and stern at depth, offer compelling dive opportunities and tangible links to a dramatic crew rescue. As a frequently visited wreck, it’s well documented among divers but remains under-researched in formal archival records.
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.
Wooden Steambarge – Built 1900, Lost Spring 1909
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mischief
- Built: 1900 (wooden-hulled steambarge)
- Lost: Spring 1909, driven ashore by a gale after being torn from her tow, on a rocky shore in Michigan
- Tow Vessel: Being towed by steamer William Edenborn—both bound for Duluth, hauling iron ore (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Vessel Type
A wooden steambarge repurposed for hauling bulk cargo—iron ore—on the Great Lakes, lacking independent propulsion and reliant on steam tugs.
Construction & Description
- Hull: Built of wood in 1900, likely reinforced for heavy bulk cargo
- Tonnage & Size: Precise measurements not available; typical steambarges of the era ranged from 150 to 250 feet
- Configuration: Flat-deck bulk carrier, designed to be towed in consort with steamers
Operational History
Operating on Lake Michigan–Superior routes, Mischief was a regularly towed cargo carrier, transporting iron ore with steam consorts like William Edenborn.
Final Incident & Casualties
- Cause of Loss: A spring gale ripped Mischief free from William Edenborn‘s towline; the barge was blown ashore on a rocky shoreline and broke into pieces (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Date & Conditions: Occurred during a violent spring storm in 1909 (exact date unspecified)
- Casualties: None—crew were safely carried ashore after a crew member bravely secured a rope to the cliff, enabling their rescue (YouTube)
Site Condition & Discoveries
- Wreck Site: Bow now lies in shallow water; stern rests in approximately 130 ft depth under good conditions (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Dive Interest: Frequently dived by local technical divers; partial remains—most notably the bow—are visible
- Noted Feature: A harrowing rescue story—one crewman leapt to shore with a rope, facilitating the survival of all aboard (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Notices & Warnings
- No official navigation hazard notices recorded; site is not in commercial traffic.
- Dive conditions include rocky, shallow-sunny bow area, moving to deeper water near stern. Wreck remains scattered, posing moderate underwater hazards.
Sources & References
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (M) listing for Mischief provides incident details, towing vessel, dive observations, and rescue narrative (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Further Research & Exploration Opportunities
- Crew & Tow Records: Look into William Edenborn logs and Coast Guard filing for crew lists and voyage manifest.
- Weather Logs: Spring 1909 storm conditions can be traced via local meteorological and newspaper archives (e.g., Detroit Free Press).
- Diver Survey Logs: Contact local dive clubs for site mapping, photographs, and structural condition reports.
- Sonar Mapping: A side-scan or photogrammetry survey could document the stern’s deeper portion and assess artifact preservation.
Conclusion
Mischief represents a chapter in early 20th-century Great Lakes freight tow practices—lost not to collision or sinking, but to the brutal forces of a spring gale. Her partial remains, notably the bow visible in shallow water and stern at depth, offer compelling dive opportunities and tangible links to a dramatic crew rescue. As a frequently visited wreck, it’s well documented among divers but remains under-researched in formal archival records.
Would you like assistance obtaining tow-line logs for Edenborn, locating spring 1909 storm reports, or reviewing dive survey data for a site assessment?
mischief-1900 1883-04-16 20:33:00