Sidney O. Neff – Lake Michigan Barge Shipwreck (1940)

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

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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.