Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Santiago
- Type: Schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1899
- Builder: James Davidson, Hull No. 90
- Dimensions: Length 324 ft (98.8 m); Beam 45.5 ft (13.9 m); Depth of hold 21.5 ft (6.6 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 2,600 tons (Gross); 2,525 tons (Net)
- Location: Approximately 14 miles off Pointe aux Barques, Michigan
- Official Number: 116893
- Original Owners: Pickands Mather & Co.; J.J. Boland
- Number of Masts: 3
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Santiago was a wooden-hulled schooner-barge, purpose-built for bulk freight transport. It was towed rather than self-propelled and was typically used in iron ore and grain trade. The vessel represents one of the largest wooden bulk carriers constructed during the final years of wooden shipbuilding on the Great Lakes.
Description
- Construction: Wood hull, single deck
- Builder: James Davidson, Hull No. 90
- Propulsion: None (tow only)
- Masts: 3 (rigged for stability and minor sail assist)
- Length: 98.8 m (324 ft)
- Beam: 13.9 m (45.5 ft)
- Depth: 6.6 m (21.5 ft)
- Tonnage (Gross): 2,600 tons
- Tonnage (Net): 2,525 tons
- Cargo Capacity: 175,000 bushels
History
The Santiago was launched on 8 June 1899 by James Davidson in West Bay City, Michigan, a shipbuilder known for maximizing the scale of wooden-hull technology. Initially, she was towed regularly by the wooden steamer Appomattox, one of the largest wooden vessels ever built.
- 1903: Owned by Pickands Mather & Co., a major shipping and mining firm on the Lakes.
- By 1918: Operated by J.J. Boland of Buffalo, New York.
The vessel worked extensively in the iron ore trade. During her final voyage, the Santiago was under tow by the steamer John F. Morrow when she foundered in heavy weather 14 miles off Pointe aux Barques. Fortunately, the Morrow was able to rescue the Santiago‘s entire crew.
Significant Incidents
- 10 September 1918: Foundered while under tow in heavy weather.
Final Disposition
Foundered in Lake Huron on 10 September 1918. The wreck lies offshore from Pointe aux Barques, but no confirmed modern dive surveys or recoveries have been documented publicly.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No confirmed public discovery or modern survey of the wreck has been reported.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”santiago-us-116893″ title=”References & Links”]
The Santiago is a classic example of the end-stage wooden schooner-barge design built for maximum cargo volume. Her loss in 1918 is illustrative of the risks of towing large barges in open water on the upper Great Lakes. Her large size, wooden construction, and association with major industry players mark her as a vessel of considerable historical interest.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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