Mission Springs (Unidentified)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Vesslterms Unknown
• Type: Wooden sailing vessel (likely a schooner or sloop)
• Year Built:
• Builder:
• Dimensions: Approximately 30-50 ft (9-15 m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Lake Superior, near Port Wing, Wisconsin
• Coordinates: 46° 36.2716′ N, 90° 56.8271′ W

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

This is an unidentified wooden sailing vessel, possibly a small coastal schooner or sloop, reinforced with steel plating on its hull. Such vessels were common on Lake Superior in the 19th and early 20th centuries, often used for fishing, local cargo, or lumber towing.

Description

The wreck is unrecorded in shipping registers and was therefore assigned the placeholder name “Vesslterms Unknown” by charting authorities. It is consistent in size and construction with regional workboats and small sailing schooners from the late 19th century, but no conclusive identity has been matched in wreck databases.

Historic survey records:

• 1978–1980 Hydrographic Survey: Wreck first classified as Class 1 (visible). Height measured at 1.2 m (4 feet) above the lakebed; scale 1:15,000.
• 1983 Hydrographic Resurvey: Confirmed as visible, height measured at 2.4 m (7.9 feet) above lakebed at LWD. Initial position was questioned by a later evaluator.
• 1984–1985 Resurvey: Confirmed a corrected position at 46° 36.2716′ N, 90° 56.8271′ W, with a measured height of 1.8 m (6 feet) above lakebed.
• Subsequent chart updates have maintained this location as a visible wreck feature.

History

Remains visible on the lakebed, with partial structural framing still intact. Charting authorities have accepted its status as a high-quality, confirmed visible feature. No salvage reported.

Significant Incidents

First documented by hydrographic surveys in 1978, with position refinement in 1983–1985. Modern NOAA and Canadian Hydrographic Service data confirm its chart location.

Final Disposition

No current navigation warnings beyond standard visible wreck notation on Lake Superior charts. Mariners are advised to avoid anchoring in the immediate vicinity due to possible hull hazards.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Hull visible, partially intact with framing exposed. Typical Lake Superior marine life includes crayfish and small fish. Suitable for shallow exploration by snorkellers or kayak-based observers.

Resources & Links

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Though its identity remains unknown, this wreck is a rare and easily accessible example of a small wooden sailing vessel on Lake Superior. Its documented surveys, steel-sheathed construction, and intact framing offer a valuable snapshot of local 19th-century or early 20th-century workboats. The feature is charted, monitored, and protected as a visible archaeological site.