Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Superior (1845)

Explore the wreck of the Superior, a mid-19th century wooden sidewheel steamer, lying in shallow waters of Lake Superior, offering a glimpse into early steam navigation.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Superior
  • Type: Wooden Sidewheel Steamer (Passenger & Package Freight)
  • Year Built: 1845
  • Builder: Luther Moses, Buffalo, New York
  • Dimensions: 191 ft (58.2 m) X 28 ft; Depth of hold 11 ft
  • Registered Tonnage: Not specified
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 6 m / 20 ft
  • Location: Lake Superior, near Munising, Alger County, Michigan
  • Coordinates: 46° 33.480′ N, 086° 24.780′ W
  • Official Number: [not located]
  • Original Owners: Unknown
  • Number of Masts: None

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Superior was a mid-19th century wooden sidewheel steamer, a vessel type widely used for passenger and cargo transport on the Great Lakes before screw propulsion became dominant. Sidewheelers featured large paddle wheels mounted on either side of the hull, powered by steam-driven engines, and were a symbol of the technological shift from sail to steam power. The Superior was part of this transitional era, connecting growing Great Lakes communities during the region’s early economic expansion.

Description

Launched in 1845 at Buffalo, New York, the Superior served as a passenger and package freight steamer on Lake Superior routes. Like many sidewheelers of its time, it transported settlers, miners, mail, and cargo between key ports at a time when overland travel was difficult or impossible.

The vessel’s final fate came in 1856, when she sank in Lake Superior under uncertain circumstances. While no detailed incident reports survive, maritime historians note that mid-19th century sidewheelers often faced risks from sudden gales, mechanical failures, or hull weakness inherent in early wooden steamships.

History

Today, the wreck lies in shallow water within the Alger Underwater Preserve. Only the remains of her twin locomotive-type boilers are visible above the sand. Much of the hull and superstructure have been buried over time by shifting sands, a common phenomenon in the dynamic lake environment.

Significant Incidents

  • Year Sank: 1856
  • Cause of Loss: Unknown (believed to have succumbed to storm or hull failure)

Final Disposition

The Superior represents the pioneering age of steam navigation on Lake Superior. Although little remains visible, its twin boilers provide a unique artifact of 19th-century sidewheel engineering. As one of the earlier steam-powered vessels on the Great Lakes, the Superior contributes to our understanding of the transition from sail to steam power and the rapid growth of inland maritime commerce.

Current Condition & Accessibility

At only 20 ft, the wreck is accessible to both snorkelers and recreational divers. Cold, clear waters generally offer good visibility, though sand shifts can obscure sections. The wreck is protected within the Alger Underwater Preserve; removal of artifacts is prohibited.

Resources & Links

For divers and maritime enthusiasts, the Superior offers a unique opportunity to explore a significant piece of Great Lakes history, showcasing the evolution of maritime technology and commerce in the 19th century.