Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Wasaga
• Type: Wooden Package Freighter
• Year Built: 1876
• Builder: Buffalo, New York
• Dimensions: Length: 238 ft (72.5 m); Beam: 36 ft (10.97 m); Depth of hold: 15 ft (4.57 m)
• Registered Tonnage: Unknown
• Depth at Wreck Site: 10.67 m / 35 ft
• Location: Keweenaw Peninsula, Lake Superior
• Coordinates: 47° 28.215′ N, 087° 52.976′ W
• Official Number: 80598
• Original Owners: Collingwood Shipping Company (from 1907)
• Number of Masts: Unknown

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Wasaga was a wooden-hulled package freighter built in 1876 at Buffalo, New York. Intended for general cargo service on the Great Lakes, her design focused on transporting high-value manufactured goods, agricultural tools, and construction materials.

Description

The Wasaga was a wooden-hulled package freighter built in 1876 at Buffalo, New York. Intended for general cargo service on the Great Lakes, her design focused on transporting high-value manufactured goods, agricultural tools, and construction materials. Her propulsion system was removed prior to her final voyage, as no machinery remains at the wreck site.

History

Originally named Wissahickon, the vessel served in commercial freight service across the Great Lakes before being renamed Wasaga in 1907 after being sold to the Collingwood Shipping Company. She continued in general cargo trade until her loss in 1910. The specific details of her final voyage are unclear, though she was reported lost near the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Significant Incidents

• The Wasaga sank in 1910 near the Keweenaw Peninsula. No clear cause of loss has been documented, though her stripped machinery and the salvage of valuable components suggests the vessel may have been retired or scuttled.

Final Disposition

The Wasaga sank in 1910 near the Keweenaw Peninsula. No clear cause of loss has been documented, though her stripped machinery and the salvage of valuable components suggests the vessel may have been retired or scuttled. Today, only the bottom hull remains along with prominent cargo features.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck was documented by 3DShipwrecks, though the original discoverer and discovery date are not listed. The site is included in the Keweenaw Underwater Preserve. The site lies in shallow water and is protected under Michigan law.

Resources & Links

Access to the Wasaga wreck is by boat, with entry points available from the Keweenaw Peninsula shore or nearby harbors. Divers can expect cold clear water, occasional currents, and good visibility at a depth of 35 ft (10.67 m). Emergency contacts include USCG Sector Sault Ste. Marie and local EMS. Permits are not required for diving, but artifact removal is prohibited.