Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sparta
- Type: Steel Bulk Freighter
- Year Built: 1902
- Builder: American Ship Building Company, Lorain, OH
- Dimensions: 380 ft LOA × 50 ft beam × 28 ft depth
- Registered Tonnage: 4,307 gross tons, 3,370 net tons
- Location: Mosquito Beach, ~14 miles from Munising, Michigan
- Official Number: 121219
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Steel-hulled bulk freighter, originally named Frank W. Hart, renamed Sparta in 1929.
Description
The Sparta was a 4,300-ton steel freighter constructed in 1902. On November 5, 1940, while sheltering at Mosquito Beach during a violent Lake Superior storm, she lost both anchor chains. The resulting drift ashore broke her keel, and she was subsequently abandoned and scrapped onsite. There were no injuries or losses to her crew.
History
The Sparta was built by the American Ship Building Company in Lorain, Ohio, as hull #313. She served primarily in the transportation of bulk cargo, including iron ore. The vessel was renamed from Frank W. Hart to Sparta in 1929.
Significant Incidents
- Cargo: Iron ore (though official notes also record her as “light”).
- Weather: Caught in a severe storm, with high winds and waves typical of early November on Superior.
- Cause: While anchored waiting to load lumber at Harrisville, her two anchor chains parted. The tempest drove her ashore, and she broke her back from the pounding surf.
- Result: Declared a total loss and partially scrapped in place; no casualties occurred and no significant wreckage removed.
Final Disposition
The Sparta was declared a total loss after the storm. She was partially scrapped in place, and no significant wreckage was removed from the site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is not well documented, but it is known that the vessel was abandoned and scrapped onsite. Further archaeological studies may be needed to determine any remaining wreckage presence.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sparta-us-121219-frank-w-hart” title=”References & Links”]
For those interested in maritime history and shipwrecks, the story of the Sparta serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by vessels on the Great Lakes, particularly during severe weather conditions.
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.
(Steel Bulk Freighter, built 1902; lost November 5, 1940)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Type: Steel-hulled bulk freighter, originally named Frank W. Hart, renamed Sparta in 1929
- Official Number: 121219
- Built: 1902 by American Ship Building Company, Lorain, OH; hull #313
- Specifications: 380 ft LOA × 50 ft beam × 28 ft depth; 4,307 gross tons, 3,370 net tons (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Loss Date: November 5, 1940
- Location: Mosquito Beach, ~14 miles from Munising, Michigan, on Lake Superior (Wikipedia, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Incident Overview
- Cargo: Iron ore (though official notes also record her as “light”) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Weather: Caught in a severe storm, with high winds and waves typical of early November on Superior
- Cause: While anchored waiting to load lumber at Harrisville, her two anchor chains parted. The tempest drove her ashore, and she “broke her back” from the pounding surf (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Result: Declared a total loss and partially scrapped in place; no casualties occurred and no significant wreckage removed (naval-history.net)
Summary
The Sparta was a 4,300-ton steel freighter originally constructed in 1902. On November 5, 1940, while sheltering at Mosquito Beach during a violent Lake Superior storm, she lost both anchor chains. The resulting drift ashore broke her keel (“broke her back”), and she was subsequently abandoned and scrapped onsite. There were no injuries or losses to her crew (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Further Research Suggestions
| Research Focus | Purpose | Potential Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Storm conditions | Provide context on the gale’s severity | NOAA historical storm data (Nov 1940) |
| Salvage & scrapping logs | Details of on-site dismantling | U.S. Coast Guard, Harrisville harbor records |
| Photographic documentation | Visual evidence of wreck & scrapping status | Michigan maritime museums, local archive collections |
| Cargo manifest & voyage log | Confirm exact cargo and route prior to loss | Company logs (Cleveland-Cliffs or successor) |
| Archaeological studies | Determine any remaining wreckage presence | Michigan State archaeological reports |
Interested in exploring further?
- Retrieving NOAA archives on the November 1940 storm
- Locating U.S. Coast Guard and harbor authority records detailing the salvage
- Finding period photographs of the grounded Sparta
- Reviewing company or port logs for cargo and voyage specifics