Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

SS Isaac M. Scott (1909)

Explore the wreck of the SS Isaac M. Scott, a steel-hulled freighter lost in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913, resting in 180 ft of water off Thunder Bay Island.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: SS Isaac M. Scott
  • Type: Lake freighter (bulk carrier)
  • Year Built: 1909
  • Builder: American Shipbuilding Company, Lorain, Ohio
  • Dimensions: 504 ft (153.6 m) length, 54 ft (16.5 m) beam
  • Registered Tonnage: 6,372 gross tons
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 55 m / 180 ft
  • Location: Lake Huron (off Thunder Bay Island)
  • Coordinates: 45°03.920′N, 83°02.353′W
  • Official Number: 206485
  • Original Owners: Mahoning Steamship Company
  • Number of Masts: Single screw

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The SS Isaac M. Scott was a steel-hulled Great Lakes bulk freighter, designed for transporting cargoes such as coal, ore, and grain. She was powered by a triple-expansion steam engine and featured a single screw, making her one of the larger freighters of her time.

Description

The SS Isaac M. Scott was launched in 1909 and was notable for her size and cargo capacity. She was primarily used for hauling bulk materials across the Great Lakes, contributing significantly to the shipping industry of the region.

History

On July 12, 1909, during her maiden voyage, the Isaac M. Scott collided with the John B. Cowle in fog near Whitefish Point, resulting in the sinking of the Cowle and the loss of 14 lives. The Scott was repaired at a cost of $30,000 and continued her service until her final voyage in November 1913, carrying coal to Milwaukee. She was caught in the Great Lakes Storm, last seen by the H.B. Hawgood near Tawas Point before disappearing. Bodies and wreckage later washed ashore on the Ontario coast.

Significant Incidents

  • July 12, 1909: Collided with the John B. Cowle, resulting in the Cowle’s sinking and 14 fatalities.
  • November 9, 1913: Sank during the Great Lakes Storm, with all 28 crew members lost.

Final Disposition

The Isaac M. Scott sank during the Great Lakes Storm of 1913. Her wreck lies inverted in approximately 180 ft of water off Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron. Tragically, no crew members survived the sinking.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck was discovered in 1976 by divers affiliated with the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. It lies within the sanctuary and is protected under sanctuary laws. The site is accessible by boat, with conditions typically featuring cold thermoclines, low visibility, and minimal current.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”ss-isaac-m-scott-1909″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

As a diver, remember to respect the site and its history. Leave only bubbles and take only memories. The wreck of the SS Isaac M. Scott serves as a solemn reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes.

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.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

Name: SS Isaac M. Scott
Other Names: None
Official Number: 206485
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Lake freighter (bulk carrier)
Builder: American Shipbuilding Company, Lorain, Ohio
Year Built: 1909
Dimensions: 504 ft (153.6 m) length, 54 ft (16.5 m) beam
Tonnage: 6,372 gross tons
Cargo on Final Voyage: Coal
Date of Loss: November 9, 1913
Location: Lake Huron (off Thunder Bay Island)
Coordinates: 45°03.920′N, 83°02.353′W
Depth: 175–180 ft (53–55 m)
Home Port: United States
Owners: Mahoning Steamship Company
Crew: 28
Casualties: All 28 lost

Description

The SS Isaac M. Scott was a steel-hulled Great Lakes bulk freighter, launched in 1909. She was powered by a triple-expansion steam engine and was designed for hauling cargoes such as coal, ore, and grain. She featured a single screw and was among the larger freighters of her time.

History

On July 12, 1909, during her maiden voyage, the Isaac M. Scott collided with the John B. Cowle in fog near Whitefish Point, causing the latter to sink with the loss of 14 lives. The Scott was repaired at a cost of $30,000. She continued service on the Great Lakes until her final voyage in November 1913, carrying coal to Milwaukee when she was caught in the Great Lakes Storm.

The ship was last seen by the H.B. Hawgood near Tawas Point before disappearing. Bodies and wreckage later washed ashore on the Ontario coast.

Final Dispositions

The Isaac M. Scott sank during the Great Lakes Storm of 1913. Her wreck lies inverted in approximately 180 ft of water off Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron. No crew survived.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck was discovered in 1976 by divers affiliated with the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Notmars & Advisories

No active NOTMARs currently apply. The wreck lies within the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and is protected under sanctuary laws.

Dive Information

Access: Boat
Entry Point: Thunder Bay, Michigan
Conditions: Cold thermocline, low visibility, minimal current
Depth Range: 175–180 ft (53–55 m)
Emergency Contacts: USCG Sault Ste. Marie, local charters
Permits: Required under sanctuary rules
Dive Support: Charters available in Alpena, MI

Crew & Casualty Memorials

All 28 crew lost; individual memorials not fully documented. Bodies were recovered along the Ontario coast, including Captain A. McArthur.

Documented Statements & Extracts

“On the morning of November 9, the 504-foot Isaac M. Scott entered Lake Huron headed to Milwaukee with a load of coal… The huge ship rolled over and sank. Lake Huron claimed all 28 crew members.” — NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails

Official number 206485, registered in the United States. Insured; full documentation archived in Great Lakes shipping registers and US National Archives.

Site Documentation & Imaging

Documented by side-scan sonar and diver imaging. Managed by Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary with visual records available through their database.

Image Gallery

Isaac M. Scott propeller
Propeller of the Isaac M. Scott (credit: NOAA)

Resources & Links

References

  1. NOAA Thunder Bay Sanctuary: Isaac M. Scott
  2. Wikipedia: SS Isaac M. Scott (1909)
  3. Shipwreck Explorers: Isaac M. Scott

NOAA Shipwreck Record Card

Wreck Name: SS Isaac M. Scott
Other Names: None
Official Number: 206485
Coordinates: 45°03.920′N, 83°02.353′W
Depth: 180 ft (55 m)
Location Description: 6 miles NE of Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron
Vessel Type: Steel bulk freighter
Material: Steel
Dimensions: 504 x 54 ft, 6,372 gross tons
Condition: Inverted, partially buried
Cause of Loss: Storm (Great Lakes Storm of 1913)
Discovery Date: 1976
Discovered By: Divers, Thunder Bay NMS
Method: Dive and sonar
Legal Notes: Protected site
Hazards: Depth, thermocline
Permits Required: Yes (Thunder Bay NMS regulations)
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