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

Description

The *Samoa* (originally *Thomas W. Palmer*) was a large wooden (or composite) steam‑propelled bulk freighter built in 1880 by Detroit Dry Dock Co. (hull #90).Her hull form and steam machinery would have been typical of Great Lakes freighters of the era: large hold capacity for bulk cargo, single screw propulsion, boilers and engine amidships. Her size (281 ft) made her one of the larger wooden steamers of her time in the Lakes. According to one listing, she was of composite construction (wood with metal framing) rather than pure wood.Her structural features would have included bulkheads, deck houses fore and aft, boiler room and engine compartment, and hatches for loading/unloading bulk cargo.

History

Launched in 1880 as *Thomas W. Palmer* from Detroit Dry Dock Co. for owner William Livingston of Detroit (or associated interests) she operated in Great Lakes bulk trade. In 1889 she was renamed *Samoa*. Over her operational life she likely carried ore, coal, and other bulk cargoes typical of lake commerce.

On 20–21 September 1909, *Samoa* was tied up at the Osceola Mills dock in Hubbell (Hubbell, Michigan, on Torch Lake) to pick up a load of copper tailings / mining refuse. During a thunderstorm, she was struck by lightning, which ignited a blaze. The fire rapidly consumed her superstructure and deckhouses, especially given the wooden framing and cargo of dusty tailings that likely exacerbated the fire. To prevent damage to the dock, she was towed out into deeper water. The towline eventually burned through, leaving her adrift. She then sank, settling near the Torch Lake canal entrance area. No crew loss is recorded.

Final Disposition

The cause of loss was direct ignition from lightning during a storm, leading to an uncontrollable fire. The ship burned down to the waterline and was then abandoned / allowed to sink in deep water. The vessel is considered a total loss.

Her remains now are partially buried, settled into soft bottom sediments (especially from subsequent tailings dumping and dredging in Torch Lake) such that much of her structure may be obscured or collapsed. According to your account, she does not “scan well” (weak sonar reflectivity) and gives a soft target, indicating she lies partially embedded.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck was discovered roughly two decades ago by divers Randy Beebe and Mark Lanctôt (in a deliberate search) in the canal area near the entrance of Torch Lake (Brockville Narrows / Portage Ship Canal). According to your description, video from that survey shows she is buried in sediment, with machinery (boiler, engines, bow gear) still present.

I was unable to locate a published formal discovery report (e.g. in state archives, Michigan DNR, or Great Lakes diver magazines) in the sources I surveyed. Further archival dive club reports or state antiquities records may yield the original survey dates, coordinates, and imaging data.

Notmars & Advisories

No official “notmars” (navigational hazard marking) or published advisories were located in my search. Given her buried nature and soft sonar signature, she may not pose a significant navigational hazard. However, divers should treat the site with caution.

Dive Information

Access: Boat access only (no shore entry given location near canal)
Entry Point: Likely from a dive charter or private boat launch near the canal entrance / Portage Ship Canal
Conditions: Expect limited visibility (due to sediment, tailings, and suspended particles). The dive is reportedly “dark and creepy,” especially where the wreck is buried and low in contrast. Currents are likely minimal in Torch Lake, but dredging or water flow near canal entrances may stir sediments.
Depth Range: ~60 ft (≈ 18 m)
Emergency Contacts: Local Michigan dive shops, Houghton County marine services, U.S. Coast Guard / Michigan DNR as applicable
Permits: Michigan may require antiquities / underwater cultural resources permits for artifact removal—dives for documentation should coordinate with Michigan State Historic Preservation Office / Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources
Dive Support: Local dive charters in the Keweenaw region or Houghton / Hancock area; check with local dive shops (e.g. Houghton/Hancock, Keweenaw County) for logistics and safety gear.

Crew & Casualty Memorials

No crew fatalities are recorded in the sources I found, so likely all crew survived. No memorials or crew lists surfaced in my searches. Locating contemporary newspaper reports (in *The Daily Mining Gazette*, *Houghton Daily Tribune*, *Keweenaw County papers*, or *Detroit marine press*) might yield crew names, muster lists, or obituaries.

Documented Statements & Extracts

“On September 21, 1909, a freak accident took the 19‑year‑old wooden steamer Samoa. While transiting Torch Lake on the Keweenaw Waterway, she was struck by lightning …”

Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails

The known listing *Great Lakes Shipwreck Files* assigns *Samoa* the U.S. Official Number 145513 and classifies her as propeller, composite, bulk freight.

I did **not** locate primary registry / enrollment records (e.g. U.S. Treasury / Bureau of Navigation ledger, American Bureau of Shipping surveys) in my initial search. Insurance policy archives or marine underwriters’ records (e.g. Lloyd’s, local Detroit marine insurers) may hold claims or loss settlement documentation, but access would require archive-level research in Detroit, Michigan maritime museums or insurance archives.

Site Documentation & Imaging

Beyond the diver video you mention, I did not locate publicly posted 3D models, NOAA VR scans, or published photogrammetry of *Samoa*. Because her sonar reflectivity is low (soft target) and she is embedded in bottom sediment, side‑scan or sub‑bottom sonar surveys likely only yield partial imagery. Diver-based imaging (video, stills) may be the primary record.

If you or local divers have access to survey logs, photogrammetric data, or side‑scan sonar files, these would greatly enhance the profile. Also check Michigan’s Underwater Resource Unit or state archival resources for any survey reports.

Image Gallery

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU / HCGL)
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
• Newspapers.com
• Find A Grave

References

1. “Samoa (ex Thomas W. Palmer)” entry, *Great Lakes Shipwreck Files* / WordPress listing, with build data and loss summary
2. Facebook post, Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society, referencing the sinking date and local memory of the wreck
3. Launch record of *Thomas W. Palmer* at Detroit Dry Dock, via Wisconsin Marine Historical Society / Facebook archival photo

NOAA Shipwreck Record Card