Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Miss Stephanie II (formerly Big Bertha; renamed in 1994)
- Type: Welded-steel commercial fishing boat
- Year Built: 1956
- Builder: Toledo, Ohio
- Dimensions: ≈ 51 × 13 × 3 ft (15.5 × 4.0 × 0.9 m); 16 gross tons
- Registered Tonnage: 16 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 14 m / 45 ft
- Location: Lake Huron, about 2.5 mi (4 km) northeast of Kettle Point, ON
- Official Number: C817104
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Miss Stephanie II is classified as a welded-steel commercial fishing boat, originally named Big Bertha before its renaming in 1994.
Description
The vessel was built in 1956 in Toledo, Ohio, and was lengthened by 10 feet after capsizing in 1988. It measured approximately 51 feet in length, 13 feet in beam, and 3 feet in depth, with a registered tonnage of 16 gross tons.
History
Miss Stephanie II had a service history typical of commercial fishing vessels, engaging in the catch of whitefish in the Great Lakes region. The vessel was involved in fishing operations until its loss in 1994.
Significant Incidents
- On 11 August 1994, while hauling traps, water entered the lazaret (storage area) of the vessel.
- The bilge pumps failed, leading to the vessel taking on water and ultimately sinking stern-first.
- Of the 7 crew members aboard, 2 drowned when the cabin flooded, while 5 were successfully rescued.
Final Disposition
Miss Stephanie II sank stern-first in approximately 45 feet (14 m) of water off Kettle Point. The wreck was located and recovered on 17 August 1994, shortly after the sinking.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The vessel was marked and recovered within a week of sinking, resulting in no long-term underwater presence remaining.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”miss-stephanie-ii-c-817104-big-bertha” title=”References & Links”]
Miss Stephanie II, formerly known as Big Bertha, was a mid-20th-century fishing vessel that tragically sank in 1994 due to flooding. The incident resulted in the loss of two lives, but the vessel was recovered shortly after sinking, leaving no wreck to explore today.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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