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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”wasaga-wissahickon-us-80598″ title=”References & 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.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
Other Names: Wissahickon
Official Number: 80598
Registry: U.S.
Vessel Type: Wooden Package Freighter
Builder: Buffalo, New York
Year Built: 1876
Dimensions: Length: 238 ft (72.5 m), Beam: 36 ft (10.97 m), Depth: 15 ft (4.57 m)
Tonnage: Unknown
Cargo on Final Voyage: Bricks, ceramic pipe, farm implements, gears
Date of Loss: 1910
Location: Keweenaw Peninsula, Lake Superior
Coordinates: 47° 28.215′ N, 087° 52.976′ W
Depth: 35 ft (10.67 m)
Home Port: Unknown
Owners: Collingwood Shipping Company (from 1907)
Crew: Unknown
Casualties: None reported
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.
Final Dispositions
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.
Located By & Date Found
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.
Notmars & Advisories
None noted. The site lies in shallow water and is protected under Michigan law.
Dive Information
Access: Boat
Entry Point: Keweenaw Peninsula shore or nearby harbors
Conditions: Cold clear water, occasional currents, good visibility
Depth Range: 35 ft (10.67 m)
Emergency Contacts: USCG Sector Sault Ste. Marie, local EMS
Permits: Not required; artifact removal prohibited
Dive Support: Available in the Keweenaw region
Crew & Casualty Memorials
Crew list not found. No fatalities reported. Further research needed via registry and archival newspapers.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“The Wasaga had been built at Buffalo in 1876 as the steamer Wissahickon. She was renamed Wasaga in 1907 after being sold to the Collingwood Shipping Company.”
“A large mound of bricks and another of ceramic pipe are prominent features of the site.”
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Official Number: 80598. Built at Buffalo, NY. Further registry details not located. Insurance and enrollment data not found in open-access records.
Site Documentation & Imaging
Extensively imaged by 3DShipwrecks; photogrammetry and video available. Site included within the Keweenaw Underwater Preserve.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
- Newspapers.com
- Find A Grave
References
- 3DShipwrecks – Wasaga: https://3dshipwrecks.org/shipwreck-wasaga/
- Baillod, Russel. “Wasaga – Shipwrecks of the Keweenaw.” https://www.baillod.com/shipwreck/keweenaw/wasaga.html
NOAA Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: Wissahickon
Official Number: 80598
Coordinates: 47° 28.215′ N, 087° 52.976′ W
Depth: 35 ft (10.67 m)
Location Description: Near Keweenaw Peninsula, Lake Superior
Vessel Type: Package Freighter
Material: Wood
Dimensions: 238 ft x 36 ft x 15 ft (72.5 m x 10.97 m x 4.57 m)
Condition: Hull bottom remains; superstructure absent; cargo exposed
Cause of Loss: Unknown
Discovery Date: Not recorded
Discovered By: Unknown
Method: Dive survey and photogrammetry
Legal Notes: Michigan Preserve protection; no artifact removal
Hazards: Shallow depth, loose cargo
Permits Required: Not required for recreational diving
Wasaga by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab
Keywords:
Wasaga shipwreck, Wissahickon freighter, Lake Superior wrecks, Keweenaw Underwater Preserve, Great Lakes package freighters, shallow wreck dives.
wasaga-wissahickon-us-80598 1910-03-14 07:54:00
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