Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: T. S. Christie
- Type: Wooden steambarge (steam-powered bulk freighter)
- Year Built: 1885
- Builder: F. W. Wheeler, West Bay City, Michigan
- Dimensions: 160 ft × 30 ft × 19'6" (48.8 m × 9.1 m × 5.9 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 533.39 gross / 408.52 net tons
- Location: Stranded at Barr Creek, ~4 mi (6.4 km) north of Manistee, Michigan
- Official Number: 145402
- Original Owners: Bay City & Cleveland Transportation Co.; Marinette Transportation Co.
- Number of Masts: 2 (schooner-rigged)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A mid-sized wooden steambarge, combining steam-powered propulsion with auxiliary schooner rigging. Built for bulk cargo trading—primarily cordwood and lumber—common in Great Lakes commerce at the turn of the century.
Description
Designed with a robust hull and voluminous deckhouse, the T. S. Christie accommodated heavy bulk loads. Her steeple compound engine and schooner masts allowed both mechanical and wind-assisted navigation—a hallmark of her era.
History
- 1885: Launched and enrolled at Detroit under Bay City & Cleveland Transportation Co.
- 1886–1906: Ownership shifted through several firms; significant rebuilds and remeasurements in 1886 and 1902 tailored for Chicago-based lumber operations.
- 1925: Underwent another refit at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, suggesting extended service longevity.
- 1933: Registered under Marinette Transportation Co. of Marinette, WI.
Significant Incidents
- 7 November 1933: Caught in a November blizzard, the T. S. Christie ran aground at Barr Creek. The severe storm broke her keel and she was subsequently destroyed by waves. All personnel aboard survived the wreck and reached shore safely.
Final Disposition
Caught in a November blizzard on 7 November 1933, the T. S. Christie ran aground at Barr Creek. The severe storm broke her keel (“broke back”) and she was subsequently destroyed by waves. All personnel aboard survived the wreck and reached shore safely.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Not located as an underwater site. Shore-stranded and entirely broken apart, the remains at Barr Creek were not salvaged in a systematic dive or survey. No wreck site exists offshore to document.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”t-s-christie-us-145402″ title=”References & Links”]
The T. S. Christie exemplifies durable steambarge design of the late 19th century, serving nearly half a century before succumbing to a fierce November storm in 1933. Despite her violent death at Barr Creek, all hands survived—a testament to the resilience of her crew. Although no physical wreck remains, her story adds a compelling chapter to Great Lakes maritime lore.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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