Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Rising Sun (Minnie M.) US 91674

Explore the accessible wreck of the Rising Sun, a historic wooden steamer grounded in Lake Michigan, offering a glimpse into early 20th-century maritime history.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Minnie M.; renamed Rising Sun
  • Type: Wooden propeller steamer
  • Year Built: 1884
  • Builder: John Oades
  • Dimensions: Length 133.3 ft (40.6 m); Beam 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold 10.8 ft (3.3 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 447.4 gt
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 3.7 m / 12 ft
  • Location: Grounded off Pyramid Point, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Lake Michigan
  • Coordinates: N 44° 58.160′, W 85° 55.908′
  • Official Number: 91674
  • Original Owners: Delta Transportation Co., St. Joseph & Lake Michigan Transportation Co., Algoma Central Railroad Co., House of David
  • Number of Masts: 2 masts for auxiliary sail

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden propeller steamer with two decks, originally built for freight and commercial transport.

Description

The Rising Sun, originally named Minnie M., was a wooden propeller steamer constructed in 1884. It featured a single screw propulsion system and was equipped with two masts for auxiliary sail. The vessel had a gross tonnage of 447.4 gt and dimensions of 133.3 ft in length, 26 ft in beam, and a depth of 10.8 ft.

History

Initially enrolled at Marquette, MI, under Delta Transportation Co., the vessel operated on the Escanaba–Green Bay route. Over the years, it changed ownership multiple times, including a charter by St. Joseph & Lake Michigan Transportation Co. in 1892 and a sale to Algoma Central Railroad Co. in 1899. After grounding at Collingwood in 1905 and subsequent repairs, it was purchased by the House of David in 1913 and renamed Rising Sun, servicing routes between High Island and St. Joseph.

Significant Incidents

  • Grounded at Collingwood, Lake Huron in 1905 (repaired).
  • Grounded off Pyramid Point during a blinding snowstorm on 29 October 1917, leading to its total loss.

Final Disposition

The Rising Sun was declared a total loss after grounding off Pyramid Point. The crew and passengers swam ashore with assistance from the Sleeping Bear Point Life-Saving crew. The vessel was heavily laden with fence posts and produce at the time of the incident. The registry documents were surrendered on 29 April 1918 in Grand Haven, MI.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck site is shallow, approximately 12 ft (3.7 m) deep, with remnants of the boiler and hull timbers visible in low water. It is located within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Manitou Passage State Underwater Preserve, making it a protected resource. The site is accessible for viewing from shore, kayaking, and snorkeling, with high water clarity.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”rising-sun-minnie-m-us-91674″ title=”References & Links”]

The Rising Sun serves as a significant historical landmark, representing the challenges of early motorized shipping in Lake Michigan. Its accessible wreck offers visitors a tangible connection to the region’s maritime history and early 20th-century commerce.

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

  • Name: Minnie M.; renamed Rising Sun (1913)
  • Official Number: 91674
  • Built: 1884 in Detroit, Michigan by John Oades
  • Type: Wooden propeller steamer with 2 decks
  • Hull: Wood; single screw
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 133.3 ft (40.6 m)
    • Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m)
    • Depth: 10.8 ft (3.3 m)
    • Gross Tonnage: 447.4 gt
    • Net Tonnage: 295.7 nt
  • Propulsion
    • Engine: Steeple-compound, 15.5″ + 30″ × 36″, 300 hp @ 95 rpm (Samuel F. Hodge Iron Works, Detroit)
    • Boiler: One firebox boiler (8′ 3″ × 14′, 104 psi) by Thomas McGregor Works
    • Propulsion: Single screw; 2 masts for auxiliary sail

Ownership History

  • 1884: Enrolled at Marquette, MI under Delta Transportation Co., operating Escanaba–Green Bay route
  • 1892: Chartered by St. Joseph & Lake Michigan Transportation Co.
  • 1899: Sold to Algoma Central Railroad Co. (Sault Ste. Marie, ON), Canadian registry C107889
  • 1905: Grounded at Collingwood, Lake Huron (repaired)
  • 1913: Purchased by House of David (Benton Harbor), renamed Rising Sun; serviced High Island–St. Joseph routes

Final Disposition

  • Date: 29 October 1917
  • Location: Grounded off Pyramid Point, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Lake Michigan
  • Cause: Blinding snowstorm forced vessel ashore while en route High Island → St. Joseph; heavily laden with fence posts, produce, passengers
  • Crew/Cargo Outcome: PASSENGERS & crew swam ashore with aid from Sleeping Bear Point Life‑Saving crew; boat emptied its load of produce—potatoes and rutabagas—along the beach (nps.gov, instagram.com, nps.gov)
  • Registry: Declared total loss; documents surrendered 29 April 1918, Grand Haven, MI

Wreck Site & Accessibility

  • Depth: Shallow, ~12 ft (3.7 m) off Pyramid Point; remnants of the boiler and hull timbers visible in low water
  • Site Management: Located within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Manitou Passage State Underwater Preserve; protected resource (nps.gov)
  • Accessibility: Viewable from shore, kayak, snorkeling; water clarity high, shovel-supported exploration possible
  • Coordinates (approximate): N 44° 58.160′, W 85° 55.908′ (usasup.org)

Notmars & Advisories

  • No official chart warnings; site is shallow yet unmarked—visibility and winter storms may expose or bury remains periodically (nps.gov)

History & Significance

Originally built as a freight/commercial steamer for lumber and produce transport, the vessel adapted under multiple owners to excursion and settlement‑supply roles. Renamed Rising Sun by House of David—used to resupply isolated communities. Its wreck exemplified the perilous combination of early motorised shipping and Lake Michigan’s unpredictable weather.

Shore Dive & Viewing Info

  • Access: Pyramid Point Beach or kayak launch at Port Oneida; walk ~0.5 mi south
  • Water: Typically 10–12 ft depth; remains visible underwater and from shoreline
  • Skill Level: Beginner/kayak‑level; strong swimmers can snorkel the shallow remains
  • Hazards: Cold water, waves, submerged timbers; check National Lakeshore conditions
  • Regulations: Preserve rules forbid artifact removal; leave remains intact and report damage
  • Best Time to Visit: June–September for water clarity and warm weather

Resources & Links

  • National Park Service – Rising Sun Shipwreck and Nameboard (nps.gov, nps.gov, usasup.org)
  • Atlas Obscura – Deep sand‑covered boiler remains
  • SUP Adventure (USA SUP News) – Coordinates and kayak access notes (usasup.org)

Conclusion

Minnie M./Rising Sun was a versatile Lake Michigan propeller steamer that ended her 33-year service hauling freight, passengers, and produce when grounded by a fall snowstorm. Today her shallow wreck is an accessible and evocative landmark in Sleeping Bear Dunes—offering visitors a tangible connection to Great Lakes maritime history and early 20th-century waterborne commerce.

Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms

Propeller steamer • House of David • Pyramid Point wreck • shallow-water shipwreck • Lake Michigan • fence post cargo • life-saving rescue • Sleeping Bear Dunes • Manitou Passage preserve.

rising-sun-minnie-m-us-91674 1917-10-29 12:03:00