Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Monohansett (formerly Ira H. Owen)
- Type: Wooden steam barge
- Year Built: 1872
- Builder: Gibraltar, Michigan
- Dimensions: 174 ft (53 m) × 32 ft (9.8 m) × 12 ft (3.6 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 771 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 6.5 m / 21 ft
- Location: Southwest of Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron
- Coordinates: N 45° 01.650′, W 083° 09.517′
- Official Number: 125585
- Original Owners: Commercial operators (Ira H. Owen > renamed Monohansett under later ownership)
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Monohansett is classified as a wooden steam barge, a type of vessel designed for bulk cargo transport on the Great Lakes.
Description
The Monohansett, originally launched as the Ira H. Owen in 1872 at Gibraltar, Michigan, was a wooden steam barge designed for bulk cargo trade on the Great Lakes. Measuring 174 feet in length and over 770 gross tons, she was a typical hybrid vessel of the period—part freighter, part tow-barge—adapted to haul coal, lumber, and other bulk commodities. Renamed Monohansett later in her career, she remained in regular commerce for over three decades, carrying general freight and supporting timber operations around the lakes.
History
The vessel began life as the Ira H. Owen, operating in bulk cargo service during the lumber and coal trade expansion of the 1870s. She was renamed Monohansett in her later years and continued trading on Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. Despite being considered somewhat outdated by the early 20th century, she remained active in freight service until her loss.
On 23 November 1907, while cruising southwest of Thunder Bay Island, fire broke out aboard the Monohansett. The blaze spread rapidly through the wooden superstructure, and although the crew of 12 attempted to fight the flames, they were forced to abandon ship. All escaped safely to lifeboats, but the fire consumed the vessel, which burned to the waterline before foundering in shallow water.
Significant Incidents
- 23 November 1907: The Monohansett caught fire while southwest of Thunder Bay Island, leading to her sinking.
Final Disposition
The Monohansett was declared a total loss. The wreck settled in 18–21 ft of water southwest of Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron. Today, the charred lower hull and machinery remain preserved in the cold freshwater of Lake Huron, making it one of the better-documented accessible wrecks in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is known since the sinking in 1907. Surveys by the NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary have fully documented the wreck with diver access and underwater photography. The wreck is reported to have a heavily charred but stable structure.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”monohansett-ira-h-owen-us-125585″ title=”References & Links”]
With no fatalities reported and the wreck lying within a protected sanctuary, the Monohansett serves as a significant site for divers and maritime historians alike, showcasing the rich maritime heritage of the Great Lakes.
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.
Identification Card (Site Style)
Other Names: Ira H. Owen
Official Number: 125585
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Wooden steam barge
Builder: Gibraltar, Michigan
Year Built: 1872
Dimensions: 174 ft (53 m) × 32 ft (9.8 m) × 12 ft (3.6 m)
Tonnage: 771 gross tons
Propulsion: Steam screw, single engine
Cargo on Final Voyage: Light (no major cargo recorded)
Date of Loss: 23 November 1907
Cause of Loss: Fire
Final Location: Southwest of Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron
Coordinates: N 45° 01.650′, W 083° 09.517′ (Google Maps link)
Depth: ~18–21 ft (5–6.5 m)
Home Port: Detroit, Michigan
Owners: Commercial operators (records list Ira H. Owen > renamed Monohansett under later ownership)
Crew: 12
Casualties: None
Description
The Monohansett, originally launched as the Ira H. Owen in 1872 at Gibraltar, Michigan, was a wooden steam barge designed for bulk cargo trade on the Great Lakes. Measuring 174 feet in length and over 770 gross tons, she was a typical hybrid vessel of the period—part freighter, part tow-barge—adapted to haul coal, lumber, and other bulk commodities. Renamed Monohansett later in her career, she remained in regular commerce for over three decades, carrying general freight and supporting timber operations around the lakes.
History
The vessel began life as the Ira H. Owen, operating in bulk cargo service during the lumber and coal trade expansion of the 1870s. She was renamed Monohansett in her later years and continued trading on Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. Despite being considered somewhat outdated by the early 20th century, she remained active in freight service until her loss.
On 23 November 1907, while cruising southwest of Thunder Bay Island, fire broke out aboard the Monohansett. The blaze spread rapidly through the wooden superstructure, and although the crew of 12 attempted to fight the flames, they were forced to abandon ship. All escaped safely to lifeboats, but the fire consumed the vessel, which burned to the waterline before foundering in shallow water.
Final Disposition
The Monohansett was declared a total loss. The wreck settled in 18–21 ft of water southwest of Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron. Today, the charred lower hull and machinery remain preserved in the cold freshwater of Lake Huron, making it one of the better-documented accessible wrecks in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck was known since the sinking in 1907. Surveys by the NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary have fully documented the wreck with diver access and underwater photography.
Notmars & Advisories
No active Notices to Mariners. The site lies within a protected sanctuary. Divers must follow NMS rules regarding non-disturbance.
Dive Information
Access: Boat dive from Alpena or Thunder Bay Island
Entry Point: Within Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Conditions: Cold water, variable visibility; wreck lies shallow and accessible
Depth Range: 18–21 ft (5–6.5 m)
Emergency Contacts: USCG Sector Sault Ste. Marie; NOAA Thunder Bay NMS
Permits: No artifact removal; sanctuary protection laws apply
Dive Support: Alpena-area charters and NOAA partner dive shops
Crew & Casualty Memorials
No fatalities. No known dedicated memorials exist, though the wreck is featured in Thunder Bay’s cultural heritage programs.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“The wooden steamer Monohansett was burned to the waterline and sank off Thunder Bay Island. Her crew escaped without injury, abandoning ship in lifeboats as the fire raged.” — *Great Lakes Casualty Reports, 1907*
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Official Number 125585. Built at Gibraltar, MI, 1872. Initially enrolled as Ira H. Owen. Later renamed Monohansett. Final enrollment surrendered 1907 following destruction by fire. Insurance records indicate she was covered, but payout details are not yet located.
Site Documentation & Imaging
The Monohansett is featured in the NOAA Thunder Bay VR Dive Series. High-resolution underwater imaging shows the intact hull, lower decks, and machinery remains. Divers report a heavily charred but stable structure.
Resources & Links
- NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary – VR Dive Tour
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
References
- NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary wreck files.
- David Swayze, *Shipwreck! A Comprehensive Directory of Great Lakes Losses 1679–1990.*
- U.S. Enrollment Records, Official No. 125585.
- BGSU Historical Collections of the Great Lakes vessel card file.
NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: Ira H. Owen
Official Number: 125585
Coordinates: N 45° 01.650′, W 083° 09.517′ (Google Maps link)
Depth: 18–21 ft (5–6.5 m)
Location Description: Southwest of Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron
Vessel Type: Wooden steam barge
Material: Wood
Dimensions: 174 × 32 × 12 ft; 771 gross tons
Condition: Burned, wreckage intact at lakebed
Cause of Loss: Fire, 23 Nov 1907
Discovery Date: 1907 (loss)
Discovered By: Known since sinking
Method: Historical and diver survey
Legal Notes: Protected under Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Hazards: Cold water, reduced visibility
Permits Required: Yes (sanctuary regulations)
3D Model – Monohansett
Monohansett by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab
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unknown-shipwreck-23071 1907-11-23 07:53:00