Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Oscoda
- Type: Wooden steambarge
- Year Built: 1878
- Builder: Simon Langell, St. Clair, MI
- Dimensions: Length: 175 ft (53.34 m); Beam: 32.4 ft; Depth of hold: 13.3 ft
- Registered Tonnage: Gross: 529.7 tons; Net: 345.2 tons; Cargo Capacity: ~800 tons
- Location: Pelkie Reef, ~2 miles off Epoufette, MI
- Official Number: 155012
- Original Owners: Henry Fish & Co., St. Clair, MI; Edward Hines Lumber Co., Chicago
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden steambarge with 1 deck and 2 masts, designed for the lumber trade.
Description
The Oscoda was a wooden steambarge built in 1878, primarily used for transporting lumber. It featured a single high-pressure engine and was notable for its combination of steam propulsion and traditional sailing elements.
History
Originally owned by Henry Fish & Co., the Oscoda underwent several ownership changes and upgrades throughout its service life. Significant modifications included an engine upgrade in 1885 and a new boiler installation in 1893. The vessel was ultimately owned by Edward Hines Lumber Co. by 1901.
Significant Incidents
- 1885: Engine upgraded (steepled) by Globe Iron Works; ~500 hp.
- 1887–1889: Ownership changed hands; stranded on Horseshoe Reef (1889).
- 1914: Final stranding during early-November storm; vessel abandoned.
Final Disposition
The Oscoda was wrecked on November 8, 1914, after being stranded in a gale and snowstorm while carrying lumber. The enrollment was surrendered on November 20, 1914.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Oscoda lies approximately 2 miles off Epoufette, MI, in Lake Michigan. It is part of the underwater landscape that divers can explore, although specific conditions may vary.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”oscoda-us-155012″ title=”References & Links”]
The Oscoda wreck serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by mariners on the Great Lakes and the historical significance of wooden steambarges in the lumber trade.
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.
Year Built: 1878
Official #: 155012
Type: Wooden steambarge (1 deck, 2 masts)
Builder: Simon Langell, St. Clair, MI
Original Owner: Henry Fish & Co., St. Clair, MI
Propulsion: Single High‑Pressure Engine (42″×32″ by Dry Dock Engine Works)
Dimensions:
- Length: 175′
- Beam: 32.4′
- Depth: 13.3′
Tonnage & Capacity:
- Gross: 529.7 tons
- Net: 345.2 tons
- Cargo Capacity: ~800 tons
Final Disposition:
- Date: November 8, 1914
- Location: Pelkie Reef, ~2 mi off Epoufette, MI (Lake Michigan)
- Cause: Stranded in gale & snowstorm while carrying lumber
- Fate: Wrecked and enrollment surrendered on November 20, 1914 (Wikipedia, Wikipedia, Wikipedia, Wikipedia, WTTW Chicago)
Historical Timeline:
- 1885: Engine upgraded (steepled) by Globe Iron Works; ~500 hp
- 1887–1889: Ownership changed hands; stranded on Horseshoe Reef (1889) (Wikipedia)
- 1893: New boiler installed (WTTW Chicago)
- 1901: Owned by Edward Hines Lumber Co., Chicago
- 1914: Final stranding during early-November storm; vessel abandoned (Wikipedia)
Context & Related Wrecks in Lake Michigan
- Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes overall contain 6,000–10,000 shipwrecks, with nearly 1,500 within Michigan waters alone (Michigan).
- Many wrecks tech divers explore today are in underwater preserves, such as Thumb and Alger Underwater Preserves, featuring notable wrecks like the schooner Dunderberg and package freighters like Cedarville (Michigan).
- The region also includes historic wrecks like the Okhotsk Choctaw (1915, Lake Huron), rediscovered decades later, reflecting the depth and preservation conditions of Great Lakes waters (Wikipedia).
Why the Oscoda Wreck Matters
- Reflects the era when wooden steambarges were vital to the lumber trade—bridging steam propulsion with traditional sail heritage.
- The story of 1885 engine upgrades and later boiler replacement shows technological adaptation to keep aging vessels productive.
- Its loss in a november gale with significant cargo continues a tragic pattern among Great Lakes mariners—and preserves a tangible piece of commercial maritime history.
Further Exploration & Diving Info
If you’re interested in the Oscoda or other wrecks like Choctaw, Cedarville, or Dunderberg, consider exploring:
- Michigan’s underwater preserves—officially protected sites with mapped wrecks.
- Reports from shipwreck-charter outfits and local dive clubs.
- Maritime databases such as Maritime History of the Great Lakes, Wisconsin Historical Society, and the NOAA’s Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.