Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: SS Myron (formerly Mark Hopkins)
- Type: Wooden steamer (lumber hooker)
- Year Built: 1888
- Builder: Grand Haven, Michigan
- Dimensions: Not documented
- Registered Tonnage: Not specified
- Location: Near Whitefish Point, Lake Superior
- Coordinates: Not precisely documented
- Official Number: Unknown
- Original Owners: Capt. Harris Baker (at launch); renamed Myron in 1902 under later ownership
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
SS Myron was a wooden steam-powered freighter designed as a “lumber hooker.” These vessels were built to carry heavy lumber cargoes and often towed additional schooner barges to expand their hauling capacity. She represented the rugged yet vulnerable construction typical of late 19th-century Great Lakes wooden freighters.
Description
Launched in 1888 as the Mark Hopkins, the vessel served in Great Lakes lumber transport, enduring typical mishaps and repairs. In 1902 she was renamed Myron and continued service as a lumber hooker. Like many vessels of her era, she faced the constant risks of weather and heavy loading on Lake Superior.
History
On her final voyage in November 1919, the Myron departed Munising, Michigan, for Buffalo, New York, towing the schooner barge Miztec. Laden with lumber, she was caught in a severe November gale. The vessel began leaking, forcing her pumps beyond capacity. Captain Walter Neal released the Miztec to seek safety while attempting to reach Whitefish Bay with the Myron.
Significant Incidents
Despite aid from the steamer Adriatic and the Vermilion lifesaving crew, the Myron succumbed to the storm and quickly foundered. All 17 crew members were lost. Frozen bodies wearing life jackets were later recovered near Whitefish Point, underscoring the tragic ferocity of the storm.
Final Disposition
The wreck’s precise site and depth remain undocumented, though artifacts have been recovered and are preserved at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. The vessel was declared a total loss in 1919.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site itself remains elusive. Artifacts recovered and displayed at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum ensure her story is preserved. The 3DShipwrecks.org project has also digitally modeled the Myron for study.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”ss-myron-mark-hopkins” title=”References & Links”]
Protected as a cultural site. Diving opportunities are extremely limited and restricted due to depth uncertainty and preservation concerns.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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