Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: State of Michigan
- Type: Wooden sidewheel steamer
- Year Built: 1875
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: $30,000
- Location: Approximately 4 miles northwest of White Lake Harbor
- Original Owners: Barry Line fleet
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The State of Michigan was a wooden sidewheel steamer, part of the Barry Line fleet, primarily operating on Lake Michigan.
Description
Built in 1875, the State of Michigan was designed for regular service between Muskegon and Manistee/Chicago, frequently carrying salt and general freight.
History
On October 18, 1901, the State of Michigan departed Muskegon bound for Manistee with a load of salt. In clear weather, she experienced a structural failure, leading to a leak that caused her to take on water rapidly.
Significant Incidents
- October 18, 1901: The vessel sprang a leak due to structural failure, leading to the crew abandoning ship.
- The crew was rescued by the U.S. Life-Saving Service station at White Lake.
Final Disposition
The State of Michigan was declared a total constructive loss, with a reported value of around $30,000.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site remains unlocated, and further research is recommended to map the site and investigate the circumstances surrounding the sinking.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”state-of-michigan-1875″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the State of Michigan serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities of aging wooden steamers and highlights the importance of life-saving service interventions in maritime history.
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.
Identification & Service
- Name: State of Michigan
- Vessel Type: Wooden sidewheel steamer—part of the Barry Line fleet
- Built: 1875
- Route: Regular Lake Michigan service between Muskegon and Manistee/Chicago
- Cargo: Frequently carried salt and general freight
Final Voyage & Mechanical Failure
- On October 18, 1901, State of Michigan departed Muskegon bound for Manistee with a load of salt.
- In clear weather, midway across Lake Michigan, she sprang a leak (“threw a plank”) and began taking on water rapidly, not due to weather or external damage, but structural failure (Michigan Shipwreck Research Association).
- The crew lowered life boats and abandoned ship. No lives were lost.
Sinking & Rescue Operations
- The steamer sank around 3 a.m. on October 18, approximately 4 miles northwest of White Lake Harbor (just north of Muskegon) (Genealogy Trails, Michigan Shipwreck Research Association).
- The U.S. Life-Saving Service station at White Lake rescued the crew using their surfboat, bringing them to safety (Michigan Shipwreck Research Association).
- Ship was declared a total constructive loss; reported value was around $30,000 (Genealogy Trails).
Aftermath & Historical Significance
- The incident highlights structural weaknesses in older wooden sidewheelers, even in calm seas.
- The State of Michigan tragedy is widely cited in maritime safety literature concerning life-saving service responses in the early 20th century.
Research Gaps & Recommendations
| Research Focus | Suggested Action |
|---|---|
| Crew identities & testimonies | Investigate Muskegon-area newspapers (Oct 1901) for survivor interviews |
| Engineering reports | Look into U.S. Steamboat Inspection Service files for hull failure investigations |
| Cargo salvage & financial claims | Check Muskegon Wharfinger records and marine insurance filings for salt cargo recovery efforts |
| Wreck site mapping | Consider side-scan sonar survey near White Lake Harbor to locate the wreck remains |
Conclusion
The State of Michigan met a sudden end on October 18, 1901, when a structural failure caused her wooden hull to spring a plank and sink in calm conditions. Her entire crew survived thanks to a swift surfboat rescue. The loss underscores the inherent vulnerabilities of aging wooden steamers and provides a case study of effective life-saving service intervention on the Great Lakes.
- Targeted newspaper and official records searches for crew and technical investigations?
- Archival outreach to life-saving service or inspection authorities?
- A sonar-based wreck site survey plan?