Shotline Diving

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Miss Stephanie II C 817104 (Big Bertha)

Explore the site of the Miss Stephanie II, a fishing vessel that sank in 1994, resulting in a tragic loss of life.

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.

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

Final Voyage & Loss

Final Disposition

Miss Stephanie II sank stern-first in approximately 45 ft (14 m) of water off Kettle Point. The wreck was located and recovered on 17 August 1994 .

Located By & Date Found

The sunken vessel was marked and subsequently recovered within a week of sinking—no long-term underwater presence remains .

Casualties

Two fatalities (exact identity undisclosed) occurred when the cabin flooded—a tragic loss given the largely swift and successful rescue operation of the remaining crew .

Archival & Investigation Resources

  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (M‑section) entry provides technical details and casualty count (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
  • Source data includes official transport safety investigation (TSBC) documents, NOAA reports, and radio communications—a rich starting point for follow-up .

Summary

Miss Stephanie II, a formerly named Big Bertha, was a mid‑20th-century fishing vessel. On 11 August 1994, she foundered northeast of Kettle Point when water flooded her lazaret during trap hauling, overwhelming pumps. With tragic loss of two lives, the vessel sank in shallow water. Recovery occurred shortly thereafter, so no wreck remains today, but extensive official records are available owing to its status as a recent maritime incident.

miss-stephanie-ii-c-817104 1994-08-11 15:07:00