Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Portsmouth
- Type: Propeller-driven steam cargo carrier
- Year Built: 1853
- Builder: Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo, NY
- Dimensions: Length approx. 183 ft (56 m); Beam approx. 30 ft (9 m); Depth of hold approx. 10 ft (3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: ~418 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 2.5 m / 8 ft
- Location: Middle Island shoals, Lake Huron (near Gravelly Bay)
- Coordinates: N45°11.870′, W83°20.030′
- Official Number: [To be researched]
- Original Owners: [To be researched]
- Number of Masts: —
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Portsmouth was a mid-19th century wooden-hulled steam cargo carrier, designed for open lake navigation and shallow draft harbors. Propelled by a single screw and coal-fired steam engine, her oak hull supported a substantial cargo capacity, making her a mainstay in the iron and grain trade.
Description
The Portsmouth was a mid-19th century wooden-hulled steam cargo carrier, designed for open lake navigation and shallow draft harbors. Propelled by a single screw and coal-fired steam engine, her oak hull supported a substantial cargo capacity, making her a mainstay in the iron and grain trade.
History
Built in 1853, Portsmouth began service on the Great Lakes carrying bulk cargoes. In 1853, she sank after a collision while anchored in Gravelly Bay but was raised and repaired quickly. Between 1854 and 1867, she operated reliably, surviving mechanical failures and at least one grounding while transporting grain, pig iron, and mixed freight across Lakes Erie, Huron, and Michigan.
Her final voyage in November 1867 was from Marquette to Buffalo with 418 tons of pig iron valued at around US$16,000. She encountered a fierce storm and was forced onto the shoals near Middle Island while attempting to anchor. The salvage tug Magnet arrived but was unable to offload due to encroaching winter ice.
Significant Incidents
- 1853: Sank after a collision while anchored in Gravelly Bay but was raised and repaired.
- 1867: Grounded during a storm on her final voyage, leading to her abandonment.
Final Disposition
By spring 1868, salvage crews recovered much of the pig iron and removed her steam machinery. Her final enrollment was surrendered at Buffalo in August 1868. The hull, declared a constructive total loss, was left to decay on site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Portsmouth has been documented through underwater photography, diver reports, and GIS surveys conducted by the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. A mooring buoy now marks the wreck site for diver safety. The wreck is fragmented, with stern and keel sections visible.
Resources & Links
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Portsmouth serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by maritime operations in the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Today, it remains an accessible dive site, attracting divers interested in exploring its historical significance.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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