Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Oden
- Type: Wooden-hulled steambarge
- Year Built: 1890
- Builder: Holmes & Olson
- Dimensions: 88.5 ft × 26.6 ft × 6.6 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 95.95 gross / 62.97 net tons
- Location: Near Park Point, Superior, Wisconsin
- Coordinates: Approximately 46°44.096′ N, 91°54.818′ W
- Official Number: 155186
- Original Owners: Mary M. Leach, Ole Olson, John Shea, John H. Hanson, James Magee
- Number of Masts: Single deck
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A broad-beamed steambarge—designed for cargo and towing—common in the upper Great Lakes timber and aggregate trade. Its steam-screw propulsion with high-pressure machinery reflected mid-19th-century working vessel design.
Description
The Oden was a wooden-hulled steambarge built in 1890, primarily used for transporting cargo across the Great Lakes. With dimensions of 88.5 feet in length, 26.6 feet in beam, and a depth of 6.6 feet, it was designed for stability and efficiency in towing and cargo operations.
History
Initially owned by Mary M. Leach in 1891, the Oden changed hands several times throughout its service history. It was sold to Ole Olson in 1892 and later owned by John Shea, who experienced a sinking incident in 1896 after hitting an obstruction. The vessel was salvaged and continued to operate until it was transferred to John H. Hanson in 1898. In 1903, its enrollment was formally abandoned, and in 1907, it was salvaged and rebuilt by James Magee as a shallow-draft scow of identical dimensions.
Significant Incidents
- 1896: Sinking incident after hitting an obstruction; vessel was raised.
- 1907: Foundered near Superior shortly after conversion.
Final Disposition
In July 1907, shortly after her conversion, Oden foundered near Superior. The hull was ultimately beached on Park Point by August and left abandoned or used as harbor fill. While sometimes described as ‘scuttled,’ the exact method—whether towing beyond the breakwall or partial dismantlement ashore—is ambiguous. No lives were lost.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No documented surveys exist for the wreck of Oden. The hull likely deteriorated, buried in sediment, or dispersed nearshore. It is unregistered as an underwater preserve, and its remains are uncertain and potentially fragmented.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”oden-us-155186″ title=”References & Links”]
The Oden reflects the lifecycle of a typical Great Lakes workboat—launched, sunk, salvaged, rebuilt, and ultimately scuttled within a span of 17 years. Her broad-beamed design and repeated repurposing underscore the economic pragmatism of regional maritime operations. The absence of a formal wreck record highlights a gap in Lake Superior maritime heritage. A targeted archival and remote sensing investigation of the Park Point site would provide valuable documentation and heritage preservation.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Built: 1890 at Fond du Lac, Minnesota by Holmes & Olson
- Official Number: 155186
- Type: Wooden-hulled steambarge, single deck, steam screw propulsion
- Dimensions: 88.5 ft × 26.6 ft × 6.6 ft
- Tonnage: 95.95 gross / 62.97 net tons
- Final Location: Foundered and scuttled near Park Point, Superior, Wisconsin, in Lake Superior
- Loss Date: July 7, 1907 (foundered); reported beached by August 20, 1907 (Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Shotline Diving)
Vessel Type & Construction
A broad-beamed steambarge—designed for cargo and towing—common in the upper Great Lakes timber and aggregate trade. Its steam-screw propulsion with high-pressure machinery reflected mid‑19th-century working vessel design (Shotline Diving).
Ownership & Service History
- 1891: Owned by Mary M. Leach (Superior, WI)
- 1892: Sold to Ole Olson (Duluth, MN)
- 1896: Under John Shea (Duluth); suffered a sinking after hitting an obstruction on August 9 but was raised (Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Shotline Diving)
- 1898: Transferred to John H. Hanson (Duluth)
- 1903: Enrollment formally abandoned; documentation surrendered
- 1907: Salvaged and rebuilt by James Magee (Duluth) as a shallow-draft scow of identical dimensions (Shotline Diving, Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Final Disposition
In July 1907, shortly after her conversion, Oden foundered near Superior. The hull was ultimately beached on Park Point by August and left abandoned or used as harbor fill. While sometimes described as “scuttled,” the exact method—whether towing beyond the breakwall or partial dismantlement ashore—is ambiguous. No lives were lost (Wisconsin Shipwrecks).
Site Status & Archaeology
- GPS Estimate: Approximately 46°44.096′ N, 91°54.818′ W (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- Wreck Condition: No documented surveys exist. The hull likely deteriorated, buried in sediment, or dispersed nearshore.
- Designation: Unregistered as an underwater preserve; remains uncertain and potentially fragmented.
Research Gaps & Recommendations
- Primary machinery & rebuild logs: Investigation in Duluth and Superior harbor archives for conversion plans under James Magee.
- Salvage records (1907): Harbormaster logs or salvage permits may show whether the hull was deliberately sunk offshore or used as fill.
- Local notices: Examine Superior Telegram (August 1907) and trade publications for incident coverage.
- Field survey: A side-scan sonar sweep off Park Point could confirm remains; magnetometer may detect fasteners or hardware.
Conclusion
The Oden reflects the lifecycle of a typical Great Lakes workboat—launched, sunk, salvaged, rebuilt, and ultimately scuttled within a span of 17 years. Her broad-beamed design and repeated repurposing underscore the economic pragmatism of regional maritime operations. The absence of a formal wreck record highlights a gap in Lake Superior maritime heritage. A targeted archival and remote sensing investigation of the Park Point site would provide valuable documentation and heritage preservation.
Keywords
Wooden steambarge, steam screw, Duluth-Superior, high-pressure steam, Lake Superior wreck, Park Point, rebuilding, early 1900s maritime archaeology.
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