Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Neshoto
- Type: Wooden bulk freighter
- Year Built: 1889
- Builder: Thomas Quayles & Sons, Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: 284.2 ft (86.6 m); Beam: 42.5 ft; Depth of hold: 22 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 2,255.11 gross / 1,904.58 net
- Location: Crisp Point, Lake Superior, Michigan
- Official Number: 130440
- Number of Masts: Four masts
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Neshoto was a wooden bulk freighter, characterized by its single deck and four masts, designed for carrying bulk cargoes such as iron ore.
Description
Built in 1889 by Thomas Quayles & Sons in Cleveland, Ohio, the Neshoto measured 284.2 feet in length, with a beam of 42.5 feet and a depth of 22 feet. It had a registered tonnage of 2,255.11 gross tons and was capable of carrying approximately 2,250 tons of bulk ore.
History
The Neshoto was enrolled in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 3, 1889, and became active in the iron-ore trade between Superior, Wisconsin, and Buffalo, New York. Throughout its operational history, the vessel encountered several notable incidents, including grounding off Keweenaw Point in September 1892 and at Spectacle Reef in October 1894.
Significant Incidents
- May 1890: Sank barge O. J. Hale near Port Sanilac, MI.
- September 1892: Grounded off Keweenaw Point, Lake Superior.
- October 1894: Grounded at Spectacle Reef, Lake Huron.
- September 1898: Aground in Detroit River.
Final Disposition
The Neshoto met its demise on September 28, 1908, when it stranded at Crisp Point, Lake Superior, due to thick smoke and poor visibility caused by nearby forest fires. The vessel was subsequently pounded to pieces by waves before salvage operations could commence. At the time of its loss, it was carrying approximately 2,822 tons of iron ore, valued at around $3 per ton, with the vessel itself valued at approximately $50,000. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties among the crew of 16.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is located along the shoreline off Crisp Point, known as the ‘Shipwreck Coast.’ The current condition of the wreck is largely destroyed and scattered, with reports indicating that it has likely been reduced to wreckage fragments in shallow surf, and no intact hull remains are present. Debris such as wooden hatch covers and a section of the pilot house have been reported washing ashore.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”neshoto-us-130440″ title=”References & Links”]
The Neshoto serves as an exemplar of late-19th-century wooden bulk freighters operating on Lake Superior. Its wreck highlights the seasonal hazards of navigation, particularly the impact of fire-generated fog. Crisp Point, named for its life-saving station, is historically significant and is part of Michigan’s Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve.
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 & Vessel Profile
- Name: Neshoto
- Official Number: 130440
- Year Built: 1889, Cleveland, Ohio by Thomas Quayles & Sons (shipbuildinghistory.njscuba.net)
- Type: Wooden bulk freighter, single deck with four masts
- Propulsion: Triple-expansion steam engine (20″, 31″ & 52″ × 40″; 900 hp; 79 rpm) with two scotch boilers (Wikipedia)
- Dimensions: 284.2 ft length × 42.5 ft beam × 22 ft depth
- Tonnage: 2,255.11 gross / 1,904.58 net
- Cargo Capacity: Approx. 2,250 tons of bulk ore
Operational History
- May 3, 1889: Enrolled in Cleveland, OH by Cleveland Ship Building Co. (shipbuildinghistory.njscuba.net)
- Active in the iron-ore trade between Superior, WI, and Buffalo, NY
- Notable incidents:
- May 1890, sank barge O. J. Hale near Port Sanilac, MI
- September 1892, grounded off Keweenaw Point, Lake Superior
- October 1894, grounded at Spectacle Reef, Lake Huron
- September 1898, aground in Detroit River (shipbuildinghistory.njscuba.net, us-data.org)
The Final Voyage & Wreck
- Date of Wreck: September 28, 1908
- Location: Crisp Point, Lake Superior, Michigan
- Cause: Stranded in thick smoke and poor visibility due to forest fires; later pounded to pieces by waves before salvage could take place (Wikipedia)
- Cargo: Loaded with iron ore (~2,822 tons), valued at roughly $3 per ton; vessel valued at approximately $50,000 (us-data.org)
- Casualties: None reported among crew of 16
Wreck Site Conditions
- Site: Shoreline off Crisp Point (“Shipwreck Coast”)
- Current Condition: Largely destroyed and scattered; likely reduced to wreckage fragments in shallow surf—no intact hull remains
- Remains: Reports mention scattered debris like wooden hatch covers and a pilot house section washing ashore (destinationeatdrink.com, Facebook)
Historical & Maritime Significance
- An exemplar of late-19th-century wooden bulk freighters plying Lake Superior
- The wreck highlights seasonal hazards—particularly fire-generated fog impacting navigation
- Crisp Point, named for its life-saving station, is historically rich and today forms part of Michigan’s Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve (Wikipedia, Wikipedia)
Summary Table
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | 1889, Cleveland, OH |
| Type | Wooden bulk freighter (4 masts) |
| Tonnage | 2,255 gross tons |
| Final Voyage | Ran aground, Sept 28 1908 |
| Location | Crisp Point, Lake Superior |
| Cause | Stranding in fire/smoke, worsened by storm |
| Cargo | 2,822 t iron ore |
| Crew | 16—no casualties |
| Status | Broken wreck, debris scattered along shore |
Sources & Citations
- List of shipwrecks in 1908: wrecked at Crisp Point, smoke-fog, then destroyed by storm (shipbuildinghistory.njscuba.net, Minnesota Historical Society, Wikipedia, YouTube, Wikipedia, tahquamenoncountry.com)
- Vessel Losses – Beeson text (1908): Full details of tonnage, ownership, grounding, and loss (us-data.org)
- ShipbuildingHistory.com (Quayles): Build and registry info (shipbuildinghistory.njscuba.net)
- Great Lakes Shipwreck File et al.: Loss of life statement (manitouislandsarchives.org)
- Eyewitness account of debris on shore
- Crisp Point Underwater Preserve context (Wikipedia)
Further Research Opportunities
- Local Newspaper Archives (Sept–Oct 1908): Escanaba Daily Press, Duluth News Tribune, Newberry News may hold eyewitness or official reports
- Life-Saving Service Logs: Records from Crisp Point Station could offer rescue or shore crew operational detail
- Archaeological Survey: Shallow coastal and nearshore debris field mapping could trace distribution of remains, assist in interpretive signage