Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sidney O. Neff
- Type: steambarge
- Year Built: 1890
- Builder: Burger & Burger, Manitowoc, WI
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 347 GRT
- Depth at Wreck Site: 3.66 m / 12 ft
- Location: Approximately 0.35 mi southeast of the Menominee South Pierhead Light
- Official Number: 116377
- Original Owners: Marinette Transportation Company
- Number of Masts: none
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Steam-barge turned steambarge.
Description
The Sidney O. Neff was originally built as a schooner-barge and later converted into a single-screw steambarge in 1898. It served primarily in the lumber trade and was towed by various tugs.
History
Initially built in 1890, the vessel was used in the lakes lumber trade. After its conversion in 1898, it operated under the Marinette Transportation Company during the 1920s and 1930s, transporting pulpwood and general freight.
Significant Incidents
- Final Voyage: The Sidney O. Neff sank in June 1940 after taking on water at the mouth of the Menominee River, where it was abandoned in place.
Final Disposition
The wreck is located in 12-15 feet of water and remains mostly intact, with the upper decks washed away. It is recognized for its archaeological value and was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in November 2022.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is accessible for scuba diving and provides insights into late-era wooden steambarge construction. The hull, boilers, engine, and propeller remain intact, making it a significant site for marine archaeology.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sidney-o-neff-us-116377-m-c-m-c-no-2″ title=”References & Links”]
The Sidney O. Neff serves as an important historical and archaeological site, representing the evolution of steambarges in the lumber trade and the late use of wooden cargo vessels.
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.
(steam-barge turned steambarge)
- Built: 1890 by Burger & Burger, Manitowoc, WI
- Original Name: Sidney O. Neff (US Official No. 116377), 347 GRT
- Renamed: M.C. & M.C. No. 2 (1920–1924), then back to Sidney O. Neff
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Career Summary
- Early Trade: Served as a schooner-barge in the lakes lumber trade; towed by tugs such as St. Joseph
(Wisconsin Shipwrecks) - Conversion: Rebuilt as a single-screw steambarge in 1898 for greater autonomy
(WLUK) - Later Years: Operated by Marinette Transportation Company in the 1920s–30s; used for pulpwood and general freight
(Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Final Voyage & Loss – June 1940
- Incident Location: Mouth of Menominee River, Menominee, MI (Lake Michigan)
- Cause: Sprang a leak at the river entrance; sank at anchor and was abandoned in place
- Ownership: Last registered to Marinette Transportation Company
(Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Wreck & Current Status
- Scuttled Location: Approximately 0.35 mi southeast of the Menominee South Pierhead Light, in 12–15 ft of water
- Discovery & Recognition: Submerged relic lies mostly intact; upper decks washed away; boilers, engine, and propeller remain; hull is site of scuba diving; listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in November 2022
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wisconsin Shipwrecks) - Archaeological Value: Wreck yields insights into late-era wooden steambarge construction, steambarge-to-barge transitions, and maritime operations
(WLUK)
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | 1890, Manitowoc, WI |
| Tonnage | 347 GRT |
| Conversions | Schooner‑barge (1890) → Steam‑barge (1898) |
| Renamed | M.C. & M.C. No. 2 (1920–24) |
| Final Loss | June 1940; sprang leak at Menominee River mouth |
| Sank in | 12–15 ft water, 0.35 mi SE of pierhead |
| Current Condition | Wreck remains; hull, boiler, machinery intact; NRHP-listed |
Historical & Archaeological Significance
- Represents the steambarge evolution in the lumber trade and late use of wooden cargo vessels
- Listed on the NRHP to aid preservation efforts and encourage scientific documentation
- Provides a well-preserved site for marine archaeology, showcasing original machinery and hull structure