Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Smith Moore
- Type: Steam Barge
- Year Built: 1880
- Builder: George Presley & Co., Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: 223.4 × 35 × 18 ft (68.1 × 10.7 × 5.5 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,191.42 gross / 1,000.22 net
- Depth at Wreck Site: 33 m / 105 ft
- Location: Off Grand Island, near Munising, Michigan
- Coordinates: 46° 27.33′ N
- Official Number: [not located]
- Original Owners: Smith Moore et al.; later H.H. Brown and others
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Smith Moore was a wooden-hulled steam barge designed for the grain and ore trade of the Great Lakes. Equipped with screw propulsion and built for durability, steam barges like the Smith Moore carried bulk cargoes of grain, coal, and iron ore, while also providing towing services to consort vessels. The vessel was typical of the late 19th century transition to large, efficient wooden propeller freighters that supported the industrial boom of the Great Lakes region.
Description
The Smith Moore was constructed with a wooden hull and powered by a low-pressure screw propulsion system, featuring a 1-cylinder engine built by Globe Iron Works. The vessel was equipped with a firebox boiler capable of operating at 60 psi. With a cargo capacity of approximately 1,600 tons, she primarily transported iron ore, grain, and coal across the Great Lakes.
History
1880: Built by George Presley & Co., Cleveland, for Smith Moore et al. and entered service in the grain and ore trade between Cleveland, OH, and Marquette, MI.
1881: Grounded in Toledo, Ohio, but refloated and repaired.
1884: Damaged by fire in Sandusky, Ohio, while unloading cargo.
1885: Ownership transferred to H.H. Brown and others of Cleveland; used in towing operations, assisting schooners and barges including the Grace Holland, Juda, and S.H. Kimball.
1887: Boiler rebuilt by Iron Bay Manufacturing Co.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents:
- Grounded in Toledo, Ohio (1881)
- Damaged by fire in Sandusky, Ohio (1884)
Final Disposition
The Smith Moore was declared a total loss following her collision and sinking in Lake Superior. Today, she lies upright in 105 ft (33 m) of water near Grand Island, within accessible diving range. The cold, fresh waters have helped preserve portions of her hull, engine, and fittings.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Smith Moore is located within the Alger Underwater Preserve, where removal of artifacts is prohibited under Michigan law. Divers should be aware of cold water temperatures and potential hazards such as entanglement and overhead structures.
Resources & Links
The Smith Moore is an important example of a late 19th-century wooden steam barge. Her history of accidents, repairs, and eventual sinking reflects the risks of Great Lakes navigation during an era of rapid industrial expansion. Today, she serves as a well-preserved dive site and a reminder of the hazards faced by mariners on Lake Superior.