Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Wasago (Wissahickon) C 117084

Explore the wreck of the Wasago, a wooden package freight propeller that sank in Lake Superior after a fire in 1910.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Wasago
  • Type: Wooden Package Freight Propeller
  • Year Built: June 1, 1876
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Length 238 ft (72.5 m); Beam 35 ft (10.7 m); Depth of hold 14 ft (4.3 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: Gross: 1,619 tons; Net: 1,423 tons
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 9.1 m / 30 ft
  • Location: Copper Harbor, Michigan
  • Official Number: C 117084
  • Original Owners: Originally U.S.-registered as Wissahickon; later renamed Wasago and re-registered under the Canadian flag.

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Type: Wooden Package Freight Propeller

Description

The Wasago, originally named Wissahickon, was a wooden package freight propeller built in 1876. It measured 238 feet in length, 35 feet in beam, and had a depth of 14 feet. The vessel was registered with a gross tonnage of 1,619 tons and a net tonnage of 1,423 tons.

History

The Wasago was constructed in the United States and was initially registered under the name Wissahickon. It was later renamed Wasago and re-registered under the Canadian flag as C 117084. The vessel was primarily used for transporting cargo, including farming machinery and supplies.

Significant Incidents

  • Date of Loss: November 6, 1910
  • Location: Copper Harbor, Michigan, Lake Superior
  • Voyage: From Toronto, Ontario, to Fort William, Ontario
  • Cargo: Farming machinery and supplies

Final Disposition

The Wasago was seeking shelter from heavy northwest gales when a fire broke out onboard. The vessel burned to the waterline and sank in 30 feet (9.1 meters) of water. The hull and cargo were declared a total loss, valued at $200,000. Despite the total destruction of the rest of the ship, the engines were salvaged.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As of now, the wreck of the Wasago lies submerged in Lake Superior, approximately 30 feet deep. The site may be accessible for diving, but conditions can vary based on weather and water clarity.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”wasago-wissahickon-c-117084″ title=”References & Links”]

The story of the Wasago serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by Great Lakes vessels in the early 20th century. Its fiery demise, alongside other maritime incidents, highlights the unpredictable conditions of navigation during that era.

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.

General Information

  • Other Names: WISSAHICKON
  • Type: Wooden Package Freight Propeller
  • Year Built: June 1, 1876
  • Construction:
  • Material: Wood
  • Location: U.S.A.
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 238 feet (72.5 meters)
    • Beam: 35 feet (10.7 meters)
    • Depth: 14 feet (4.3 meters)
  • Tonnage:
    • Gross: 1,619 tons
    • Net: 1,423 tons
  • Registry:
  • Originally U.S.-registered as WISSAHICKON
  • Renamed WASAGO and re-registered under the Canadian flag (C 117084).

Incident Summary

  • Date of Loss: November 6, 1910
  • Location: Copper Harbor, Michigan, Lake Superior
  • Voyage: From Toronto, Ontario, to Fort William, Ontario
  • Cargo: Farming machinery and supplies

Details of Loss:

  • The WASAGO was seeking shelter from heavy northwest gales when a fire broke out onboard.
  • The vessel burned to the waterline and sank in 30 feet (9.1 meters) of water.
  • The hull and cargo were declared a total loss, valued at $200,000.
  • Engines: Salvaged despite the total destruction of the rest of the ship.

Casualties:

  • Crew: 15 men and 1 woman
  • Outcome: All survived and escaped safely.

Historical Context

The loss of the WASAGO was part of a series of devastating maritime incidents in the region within a short span:

Both the WASAGO and MORELAND were declared total losses and abandoned by their underwriters.

Legacy

The WASAGO serves as a poignant example of the harsh and often unpredictable conditions faced by Great Lakes vessels. Its fiery demise, coupled with other contemporaneous incidents, underscores the dangers of navigation and shipping in the early 20th century. The salvaging of its engines is a small testament to the ingenuity of recovery efforts at the time.

References & Links

  • David Swayze Shipwreck File
  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes
  • Great Lakes Ships

The story of the WASAGO reminds us of the significant risks and losses that shaped the maritime history of the Great Lakes.

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