Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: SS North Wind
- Type: Steel-hulled Package Freighter
- Year Built: 1888
- Builder: Globe Iron Works, Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: 312 ft (95.1 m); Beam: 40.5 ft (12.3 m); Depth of hold: 24.5 ft (7.5 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 2,476 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 36.576 m / 120 ft
- Location: North Channel, Lake Huron
- Coordinates: Approximate coordinates: 46°03′ N, 82°13′ W
- Original Owners: Northern Steamship Company, Mutual Transit Company, Great Lakes Transit Corporation, U.S. Shipping Board, Buckeye Steamship Company
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The SS North Wind was a steel-hulled package freighter designed for carrying general cargo across the Great Lakes.
Description
The SS North Wind was built in 1888 and measured 312 feet in overall length, with a beam of 40.5 feet and a hull depth of 24.5 feet. She had a gross tonnage of 2,476 tons and was powered by a coal-fired triple-expansion steam engine.
History
The SS North Wind was launched on July 31, 1888, and initially served under the Northern Steamship Company. Over the years, she changed ownership several times, including service during World War I as a naval auxiliary freighter. After the war, she returned to Great Lakes service until her sinking in 1926.
Significant Incidents
- Grounded near Sault Ste. Marie in 1888 but was successfully recovered.
- Sank on July 1, 1926, after striking Robertson’s Rock in the North Channel.
Final Disposition
The North Wind sank in over 100 feet of water, becoming a significant addition to the Great Lakes shipwreck roster. No major salvage was attempted, and the wreck remains largely intact.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is upright on a silty-clay lakebed, with extensive penetration opportunities for qualified divers. The site is known for its remarkable preservation, with many artifacts still in place.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”north-wind” title=”References & Links”]
The SS North Wind serves as a historical monument and a popular dive site, offering insights into 19th-century maritime life and shipbuilding.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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