Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: SAINTE MARIE
- Type: Wooden Car Ferry (converted to barge)
- Year Built: 1893
- Builder: Detroit Dry Dock Co., Wyandotte, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 288 ft (90 m); Beam: 53 ft (16.2 m); Depth of hold: 19.6 ft (6 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1357 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 3 m / 10 ft
- Location: Near Frying Pan Island, Lake Huron, south of DeTour Village, Michigan
- Coordinates: Latitude 45° 59.344′ N, Longitude 83° 53.848′ W
- Original Owners: Mackinac Transportation Co.; T. L. Durocher
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The SAINTE MARIE was originally a wooden passenger and rail car ferry designed to transport passengers and rail cars between Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, Michigan. Built in 1893, it served as an essential link for commerce and travel across the Straits of Mackinac before the construction of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957.
Description
Following its retirement in 1912, the vessel was repurposed into a barge for salvage, dock, and dredging operations by T. L. Durocher of DeTour, Michigan. After years of service in this new role, the vessel was abandoned in 1928 near Frying Pan Island.
History
- 1893–1912: Operated as a passenger and rail car ferry across the Straits of Mackinac.
- 1912: Retired and sold to T. L. Durocher, who converted the vessel into a barge for industrial purposes.
- 1928: Officially abandoned in DeTour Passage, near Frying Pan Island, Michigan.
After its abandonment, the SAINTE MARIE became a prominent feature of the DeTour shoreline. Its remains, visible above the waterline, serve as a tangible connection to the region’s maritime history.
Significant Incidents
- 1912: Retired from ferry service.
- 1928: Abandoned near Frying Pan Island.
Final Disposition
The SAINTE MARIE is now in a state of advanced deterioration, with much of the wreck above the waterline. While accessible from the shore, its condition and location make it less appealing to divers due to the following:
- Above-water exposure: Large portions of the wreck are above the surface, limiting its underwater exploration potential.
- Hazards: The deteriorating structure poses risks such as sharp edges and unstable sections.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck can be accessed via a nearby park in DeTour Village. The site is not ideal for diving but may interest snorkelers or history enthusiasts due to its visibility and proximity to shore.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sainte-marie” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The SAINTE MARIE, now a prominent wreck near DeTour Village, tells a story of adaptation and maritime history on the Great Lakes. While unsuitable for divers due to its shallow and deteriorated state, the wreck remains a significant historical landmark visible from the water’s surface. Its story as a vital transport link and later as an industrial barge makes it a fascinating piece of Lake Huron’s maritime heritage.
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.
Wreck Report: SAINTE MARIE
Identification & Site Information
- Vessel Name: SAINTE MARIE
- Type: Wooden Car Ferry (converted to barge)
- Year Built: 1893
- Builder: Detroit Dry Dock Co., Wyandotte, Michigan
- Original Operator: Mackinac Transportation Co.
- Dimensions:
- Length: 288 feet (90 meters)
- Beam: 53 feet (16.2 meters)
- Depth (Hull): 19.6 feet (6 meters)
- Gross Tonnage: 1357 tons
- Coordinates:
- Primary Position: Latitude 45° 59.344′ N, Longitude 83° 53.848′ W
- Alternate Position: Latitude 45° 59.351′ N, Longitude 83° 53.792′ W
- Location: Near Frying Pan Island, Lake Huron, south of DeTour Village, Michigan
- Depth: 0–10 feet (0–3 meters)
Vessel Type Description
The SAINTE MARIE was originally a wooden passenger and rail car ferry designed to transport passengers and rail cars between Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, Michigan. Built in 1893, it served as an essential link for commerce and travel across the Straits of Mackinac before the construction of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957.
Following its retirement in 1912, the vessel was repurposed into a barge for salvage, dock, and dredging operations by T. L. Durocher of DeTour, Michigan. After years of service in this new role, the vessel was abandoned in 1928 near Frying Pan Island.
History
- 1893–1912: Operated as a passenger and rail car ferry across the Straits of Mackinac.
- 1912: Retired and sold to T. L. Durocher, who converted the vessel into a barge for industrial purposes.
- 1928: Officially abandoned in DeTour Passage, near Frying Pan Island, Michigan.
After its abandonment, the SAINTE MARIE became a prominent feature of the DeTour shoreline. Its remains, visible above the waterline, serve as a tangible connection to the region’s maritime history.
Current Condition
- The SAINTE MARIE is now in a state of advanced deterioration, with much of the wreck above the waterline. While accessible from the shore, its condition and location make it less appealing to divers due to the following:
- Above-water exposure: Large portions of the wreck are above the surface, limiting its underwater exploration potential.
- Hazards: The deteriorating structure poses risks such as sharp edges and unstable sections.
Dive Suitability
- Depth: 0–10 feet (0–3 meters), extremely shallow and largely above water.
- Accessibility: The wreck can be accessed via a nearby park in DeTour Village.
- Diving Suitability: The site is not ideal for diving but may interest snorkelers or history enthusiasts due to its visibility and proximity to shore.
NOTMARs & Advisories
- Hazards to Navigation: The wreck is partially visible above the waterline and does not pose a significant hazard to navigation.
- Environmental Considerations: Efforts to preserve the site should focus on protecting it as a historical artifact rather than an ecological feature.
Tags – SAINTE MARIE Lake Huron Wrecks Car Ferry to Barge Frying Pan Island DeTour Passage Great Lakes Maritime History
Conclusion
The SAINTE MARIE, now a prominent wreck near DeTour Village, tells a story of adaptation and maritime history on the Great Lakes. While unsuitable for divers due to its shallow and deteriorated state, the wreck remains a significant historical landmark visible from the water’s surface. Its story as a vital transport link and later as an industrial barge makes it a fascinating piece of Lake Huron’s maritime heritage.
unknown-shipwreck-23100 1928-03-14 07:53:00