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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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