Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Smith Mare

Explore the wreck of the Smith Mare, a wooden schooner that sank in 1889 in Lake Superior, now a significant site for maritime heritage.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Smith Mare
  • Type: Schooner
  • Year Built:
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Length 275 ft (83.82 m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 25 m / 82 ft
  • Location: Lake Superior
  • Coordinates: Latitude 46-27-25.24N, Longitude 86-36-53.27W

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The SMITH MARE was a wooden schooner, a type of vessel commonly used in the 19th century for carrying cargo across the Great Lakes.

Description

The SMITH MARE was a large wooden schooner, measuring 275 feet (83.82 meters) in length, which sank in 1889 in Lake Superior. Historical accounts describe the schooner as part of a vibrant shipping industry on the Great Lakes during a period of economic expansion and increasing maritime traffic.

The vessel now lies at a depth of approximately 82 feet (25 meters), though earlier surveys varied, recording depths between 67 and 82 feet. The shifting depths reported over time highlight the challenges of exact underwater measurements, likely impacted by variations in survey methods and datum adjustments.

History

The SMITH MARE was an integral part of the Great Lakes shipping network in the late 1800s, facilitating the movement of goods across the region’s vast waterways. The schooner sank in 1889 under circumstances not detailed in the records provided, but its remains continue to represent a significant chapter in Lake Superior’s maritime heritage. This wreck underscores the hazards faced by vessels navigating these waters, from unpredictable weather to hidden shoals.

Significant Incidents

  • The SMITH MARE sank in 1889.

Final Disposition

The SMITH MARE lies submerged, posing a danger to navigation due to its position near the surface. This risk led to its private buoying for safety. The wreck’s preservation under water highlights the importance of responsible navigation and maritime heritage.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck was initially charted with varying GPS adjustments: In 1993, an echosounder recorded a depth of 69 feet. In 1994, the position was revised using DGPS technology: Latitude 46-27-25.24N, Longitude 86-36-53.27W (NAD83).

Marked for navigation safety with a buoy, its coordinates (LAT 46.457011, LON -86.614797) serve as critical data for sailors. The wreck’s hazardous potential to surface navigation remains a primary concern for mariners.

Resources & Links

For divers, the SMITH MARE offers a glimpse into the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes. Remember to respect the site by adhering to the principle of ‘leave only bubbles, take only memories’ and consider removing any garbage to leave the site better than you found it.