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.

SS NORTH WIND

• Type: Steel-hulled Package Freighter
• Lengths: 312 ft (95.1 m) overall; 299 ft (91.1 m) between perpendiculars
• Deaths: Unknown / Not Recorded
• Location: North Channel, Lake Huron
• GPS: TBD

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: SS North Wind
• Type: Steel-hulled Package Freighter
• Built: 1888, Globe Iron Works, Cleveland, Ohio (Hull No. 19)
• Length: 312 ft (95.1 m) overall
• Beam: 40.5 ft (12.3 m)
• Hull Depth: 24.5 ft (7.5 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 2,476 tons
• Powerplant: Triple-expansion steam engine, 1,200 IHP; coal-fired boilers
• Registered Port: Likely Cleveland or another major Lake Erie port
• Propulsion: Single screw

Historical Background

The SS North Wind was a steel-hulled Great Lakes package freighter built in 1888 at Cleveland, Ohio by the Globe Iron Works (Hull No. 19). Launched on July 31, 1888, she measured about 312 feet in overall length (299 feet between perpendiculars), with a beam of 40.5 feet and a hull depth of 24.5 feet. Her gross tonnage was around 2,476 tons. The vessel was equipped with coal-fired boilers and a triple-expansion steam engine of 1,200 indicated horsepower, giving her the power needed for Great Lakes service. North Wind was one of six near-identical sister ships built in 1888–1889; by the mid-1920s she was the last of these “six sisters” still operating on the Great Lakes (the others either sank or were sold off to saltwater service).

Originally owned by the Northern Steamship Company of Duluth (a shipping enterprise tied to the Great Northern and Northern Pacific Railways), North Wind entered service in late 1888 carrying general cargo (known as “package freight”) across the lakes. In 1903, she and her fleet-mates were sold to the Mutual Transit Company of Buffalo, and later, in 1916, transferred to the newly formed Great Lakes Transit Corporation as the railroads were forced to divest their vessel fleets under the Panama Canal Act of 1912. Throughout these early years, North Wind served as a workhorse on the Great Lakes, hauling goods between ports and enduring the typical challenges of Great Lakes navigation. (One account notes that North Wind even grounded near Sault Ste. Marie in 1888, though she was successfully recovered to continue service, illustrating the hazards of early sailing on the Lakes.)

During World War I, North Wind was pressed into saltwater duty. In 1917 the U.S. Shipping Board acquired the freighter for wartime service outside the Great Lakes. To accomplish this, the vessel was literally cut in two at Cleveland by the American Ship Building Company, then the sections were towed via inland waterways to the Atlantic coast where she was rejoined for ocean service. North Wind spent about six years (1917–1923) in saltwater trade under the Shipping Board, supporting the war effort and post-war commerce. After World War I, she returned “home” to the Great Lakes: on June 10, 1923 the ship was sold to the Buckeye Steamship Company of Cleveland. Once again the stout freighter was cut apart, this time at Montreal by Canadian Vickers Ltd., to be towed through the St. Lawrence/Great Lakes lock system back into the lakes, where Great Lakes Engineering Works rejoined her hull at Ashtabula, Ohio. Reunited and refitted for lake service (with her original dimensions and steam machinery intact), North Wind resumed cargo operations on the Great Lakes in the early 1920s. By this time she was an aging vessel, but notably still an active part of the Great Lakes fleet while many of her contemporaries had been retired or lost.

Sinking of 1926 – Circumstances and Impact

On July 1, 1926, the North Wind met her demise under dramatic circumstances. That day, the steamer was passing through the Little Current passage by Manitoulin Island, Ontario, navigating the North Channel of Lake Huron. In the vicinity of Clapperton Island, just after clearing the port of Little Current, North Wind struck a hidden hazard – the infamous Robertson’s Rock (sometimes called Robinson’s Shoal) – which lies just beneath the surface. The impact tore open the ship’s hull. The crew, realizing the vessel was fatally damaged, abandoned ship and escaped to safety; fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident.

Initially, North Wind was stranded on the rock, perched in a precarious position. Attempts to save the ship were futile – shortly after the grounding, the stricken freighter slipped off Robertson’s Rock and plunged into deep water, coming to rest at the bottom of the North Channel. Because the wreck ultimately sank in over 100 feet of water, it did not remain a navigational hazard to other ships (the channel was effectively cleared when she slid off the shoal). However, the loss of the North Wind was a significant event: it marked the end of the line for the last of the great 1880s “Northern Steamship” freighters on the Great Lakes. Contemporary reports indicate the weather was fair, making the accident a perplexing case of navigational error or misjudgment of the channel’s clearance. The immediate impact of the sinking was mostly economic – the vessel and her cargo (if any aboard) were lost. There was no loss of life, and within a short time the North Wind became another addition to the Great Lakes’ roster of shipwrecks. No major salvage was attempted, likely due to the depth and cost involved, so the ship was left to the depths. Over time, the location of the wreck became known to locals and historians, and eventually to sport divers as technology improved.

Technical Specifications and Modifications

SS North Wind was a typical late-19th-century Great Lakes freighter in design, but she also underwent unusual modifications during her lifetime due to her ventures beyond the lakes. Below are key technical specifications and notes on her design and changes over time:

• Type & Construction: Steel-hulled package freighter (a cargo ship designed to carry miscellaneous packaged goods rather than bulk ore or grain). She had two continuous decks and multiple cargo hatches for loading freight. The hull was riveted steel, reflecting the shipbuilding technology of the 1880s.
• Dimensions: Approximately 312 ft long overall (about 299 ft at the waterline), 40.5 ft in beam, with a 21.6 ft draft when loaded. Her depth of hold was 24.5 ft, and she measured 2,476 gross tons. This sizable capacity made her one of the larger freighters on the lakes when built.
• Propulsion: Coal-fired Scotch boilers powering a triple-expansion steam engine (rated about 1,200 IHP). This gave North Wind a reliable if not particularly fast performance. (Typical service speeds for such freighters were around 10–12 knots.) She featured a single screw (propeller) for propulsion.
• Builder and Launch: Built by Globe Iron Works Co. in Cleveland, Ohio, she was launched on July 31, 1888. Globe Iron Works was a prominent shipbuilder of the era, and North Wind was their Hull No. 19.
• Ownership Timeline: North Wind‘s registry history highlights the shifting economics of Great Lakes shipping: originally owned by Northern Steamship Co. (1888), then Mutual Transit Co. (1903), then Great Lakes Transit Corp. (1916) when railroad-owned vessels were reorganized. In 1917 she was sold to the U.S. Shipping Board for WWI service, and later returned to private Great Lakes service under Buckeye Steamship Co. in 1923. Each ownership change often coincided with refits or changes in trade routes.
• Major Modifications: Uniquely, North Wind was cut and reassembled twice during her career to allow transit between the Great Lakes and the ocean. In 1917, her hull was sawed in half in Cleveland and the sections were towed to the East Coast, where she was rejoined for use in the Atlantic war effort. After the war, in 1923, the process was reversed: she was cut apart again (in Montreal) and brought back into the Great Lakes, then reassembled at Ashtabula, Ohio. These extraordinary operations did not significantly change her dimensions or appearance, but they underscore the lengths taken to utilize Great Lakes ships in wider service. Aside from these cut-and-join operations, North Wind does not appear to have been heavily retrofitted – she likely retained her original steam engine and basic configuration throughout her 38-year life. Minor updates (such as navigation equipment or crew accommodations) would have been made as needed, but no major conversions (e.g. to oil fuel) are recorded.
• Sister Ships: North Wind was part of a group of six sister ships built by Globe Iron Works in 1888–89 (others included North Star and Northern Light, among others). These ships were essentially identical in size and design. Most of her sisters left the Great Lakes for saltwater service; by 1926, North Wind was the sole survivor on the Lakes, making her something of a last representative of that class. (For example, North Star sank earlier, and Northern Light ended up sinking off the Florida Keys in 1930 after a stint at sea.) This context highlights North Wind‘s longevity and the historical significance of her design.

Dive Site Profile

Today, the wreck of the North Wind rests on the bottom of Lake Huron’s North Channel, offering experienced divers a fascinating glimpse into Great Lakes history. Exact Location: The site lies just north of Clapperton Island (near Manitoulin Island, Ontario), very close to the navigation hazard known as Robertson’s Rock which caused her sinking. The approximate coordinates are around 46°03′ N, 82°13′ W, placing the wreck in Canadian waters of the North Channel. Access is only by boat; the nearest harbor is Little Current, Ontario, though many dive expeditions depart from farther ports (even as far as Tobermory) given the remote location.

Some key characteristics of the North Wind dive site include:

• Depth Range: The wreck lies in moderate-to-deep water. The shallowest parts (the bow section) are in about 70–75 feet of water, while the deepest point (around the stern and internal lower decks) reaches roughly 120 to 140 feet in depth. Most of the main deck lies around the 100 ft level. This range means the dive straddles recreational and technical depths; many divers visit the site on twin tanks or with technical gear to maximize bottom time.
• Orientation & Condition: North Wind sits upright on a silty-clay lakebed, and the wreck is remarkably intact for its age. Divers are often astonished to find a near-complete 19th-century freighter still largely in one piece. The hull and lower decks are intact from bow to stern, with large open cargo holds accessible. The bow features the windlass and anchor chains still in place, and the ship’s name “North Wind” can reportedly be read on both sides of the bow in raised letters. The wheelhouse and some upper deck structures were torn off during the sinking (the wheelhouse blew or floated off and is no longer present on the wreck). The stern is the most impressive section: the stern cabins and companionways are still upright, and in some places original paint can even be seen on interior walls. The propeller is partially buried in the bottom sediment, but notably there is a spare propeller lying on the aft deck, a feature that immediately catches divers’ attention. The ship’s single funnel (smokestack) has fallen; it lies on the starboard side near the stern, creating an interesting swim-through scenario along the deck. Overall, the structural integrity of the wreck makes it feel like a time capsule.
• Penetration and Features: Because of its intactness, the North Wind offers extensive penetration opportunities for qualified wreck divers. There are multiple entry points into the interior, including cargo hold openings, companionway doors, and skylights. Below decks, divers can explore the engine room, crew quarters, galley, mess hall, and other compartments in the stern section. Many artifacts and shipboard items remain in place. For example, divers have observed portholes with glass intact, light bulbs still screwed into fixtures, bunks with metal bed frames, washroom fixtures (sinks, toilets), and even kitchen cookware such as pots, pans, and a walk-in freezer in the galley area. These features provide a rare glimpse into everyday life on a 1920s freighter. It is important to note that penetrating the wreck requires caution – there is silt inside that can easily be stirred up, and tight corridors and doorways that demand good buoyancy control and proper training.
• Visibility and Water Conditions: The water of the North Channel is cold and can be dark at depth. Visibility on the North Wind typically ranges from about 15 to 60 feet, varying with season and weather. The best visibility is often reported in early summer (June and July) before mid-summer algae blooms; during these times, divers might enjoy 50+ foot viz on a good day. In late summer, visibility can drop as warmer water and plankton reduce clarity. Notably, inside the wreck’s enclosed spaces, the water tends to be very clear (since it’s undisturbed), often better than the outside. There is little to no ambient light below 100 feet, so divers use powerful lights to illuminate the interior. Water temperature in this depth zone stays quite low (often around 4°C/40°F at the bottom even in summer), so drysuits and cold-water gear are standard. There is usually minimal current at the site, but occasional surge or currents can be present depending on wind conditions in the channel.
• Marine Life and Encrustation: The wreck has become an artificial reef of sorts, though in freshwater the type of growth differs from ocean wrecks. Notably, the North Wind is not heavily encrusted with zebra or quagga mussels at present. This is somewhat fortunate – many shallower Great Lakes wrecks are thickly covered in invasive mussels (which, while improving water clarity, can obscure details under a carpet of shells). On North Wind, divers report that much of the deck machinery, hull lettering, and artifacts remain plainly visible, with only a light coating of silt or small colonies of mussels. The reason could be the wreck’s depth and the lower density of mussels in that colder environment. Aquatic life around the wreck includes the occasional fish common to the Great Lakes – burbot (freshwater cod), bass, trout or salmon, and sculpin can be seen lurking around the hull. Often, lake whitefish or suckers might shelter near the structure. However, marine life is generally sparse; the attraction of this site is more the shipwreck itself rather than an abundance of sea life.
• Access and Diving Logistics: Because of its remote location in the North Channel (a part of Lake Huron bordered by Manitoulin Island to the south and the Ontario mainland to the north), North Wind is accessible only by boat. There is no shore access. Most divers visit the site via charter boat. Local dive operators sometimes run trips out of Little Current or other ports on Manitoulin Island, which is closest to the site. Additionally, some dive charters from Tobermory (at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, Lake Huron) organize special multi-day excursions to the North Channel that include the North Wind among other wrecks. For example, a liveaboard dive vessel (such as the MS Dawnlight, a converted tug based in Tobermory) has been used to reach the North Wind, allowing divers to stay onboard for several days and do multiple dives on the wreck. Given the depth, divers often plan for decompression dives or use nitrox/trimix mixes to extend their bottom time safely. There is usually a mooring or shot-line installed by dive operators on the wreck for descent and ascent, since the site is not frequented daily (it may not have a permanent buoy due to ice in winter). Divers should be self-sufficient and prepared due to the isolated nature of the location – emergency services are far, and weather can change quickly on the Great Lakes.
• Hazards and Safety: North Wind is considered an advanced dive. The combination of depth, cold water, and potential overhead environments (if entering the wreck) means that only experienced and properly trained divers should attempt to explore it. Wreck penetration should be done only by those certified in overhead environment diving, using guidelines and appropriate gear, as underscored by dive experts. Silt outs are a primary hazard inside the ship – the fine clay on the lake bottom and rust sediment can reduce visibility to zero if fin kicks or bubbles dislodge it. There are also physical hazards like entanglement in wires/ropes, or sharp metal edges on the aging hull. Because the site is deep, exceeding no-decompression limits is easy; careful dive planning with redundancy (such as twin cylinders or staged decompression gases) is advised. Despite these challenges, with proper precautions the North Wind can be dived safely and enjoyably, and it remains a favorite adventure for the Great Lakes diving community.

Historical and Diving Significance

The wreck of the North Wind holds significant historical value as well as being a prized diving destination. Historically, this shipwreck represents a bygone era of Great Lakes shipping. Built in the late 19th century, North Wind was among the early generation of large steel steamers that replaced wooden schooners and paddlewheelers on the Lakes. Her story mirrors major developments in maritime history: she was part of a railroad-owned fleet during a time when rail and lake transport were integrated, she served in World War I as a naval auxiliary freighter, and she outlived most of her sister ships only to be lost on the very inland waters she called home. The fact that North Wind was the last of her class on the Great Lakes by 1926 is historically poignant – her sinking marked the end of an era. Additionally, her career involved extraordinary measures (literal cutting and reassembling) which speaks to the lengths taken to project Great Lakes vessels onto the world stage during wartime. In sum, North Wind is an artifact of Great Lakes maritime heritage, and her wreck site serves as an underwater museum of 1880s shipbuilding and 1920s shipping life.

For divers and maritime archaeologists, North Wind is significant as a dive site because of its exceptional state of preservation and the insights it offers. Many shipwrecks from the 1800s are broken up or heavily encrusted, but North Wind remains largely intact and relatively free of obfuscation, providing a clear window into the past. The presence of well-preserved artifacts (from machinery down to personal items) makes the wreck a rich source of information on shipboard life and the construction of the vessel. Divers often describe the site as eerie and awe-inspiring – swimming through the corridors of an old freighter, with light bulbs still in their sockets and the helm missing from its station, truly feels like stepping back in time. Because of this, North Wind has become a favorite dive among those who venture to the North Channel. It is frequently cited as one of the best wreck dives in Lake Huron, and even in all the Great Lakes, for advanced divers.

The North Wind wreck also holds educational and scientific importance. It offers researchers a chance to study the long-term effects of freshwater immersion on a steel shipwreck, and to monitor ecological succession on artificial structures in the Great Lakes. Being in cold, deep water, the wreck has been naturally preserved against rapid corrosion, so it stands as an underwater time capsule. Efforts by local dive groups and historical societies help document the site – photos and videos from the North Wind contribute to public awareness of Great Lakes history. The wreck is protected under Ontario law (as an underwater cultural heritage site over 50 years old), meaning removal of artifacts is prohibited – this protection ensures that the historical integrity remains for future generations of divers and researchers.

In conclusion, the SS North Wind shipwreck is a remarkable convergence of history and recreational diving. From her construction in the 1880s, through decades of service and a dramatic sinking in 1926, to her modern role as a dive site, North Wind‘s story continues to captivate. Whether one approaches it as a historian interested in Great Lakes shipping or as a diver seeking an adventurous penetration into a ghostly freighter, the North Wind offers a wealth of interest. It stands as a silent monument on the lakebed – commemorating the industrious spirit of Great Lakes commerce and providing a thrilling underwater playground that brings that history to life for those bold enough to explore it.

Sources:

• Great Lakes Vessel History: North Wind (1888-1926) – vessel registry details and career timeline.
• Wrecks and Reefs – “North Wind” dive site description and history, Wreck Diving Magazine Issue 5 (excerpts).
• The Scuba News – “Diving The Northwind Shipwreck” (Sept 28, 2020), dive profile and historical summary.
• Diver accounts and regional shipwreck databases (Shotline Diving, NOAA Great Lakes wreck registry) for location and environmental details.

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