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 Despite being considered somewhat outdated by the early 20th century, she remained active in freight service until her loss.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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →