Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Wave
- Type: Wooden Sidewheel Steamer (Bulk Freight Carrier)
- Year Built: 1864
- Builder: Cornwall & Lester, Newport (Marine City), Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 117 ft (35.7 m); Beam: 20 ft (6.1 m); Depth of hold: 8 ft (2.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 153 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 2.4 m / 8 ft
- Location: Off Charity Islands, Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron
- Official Number: 26645
- Original Owners: Unknown (likely Michigan-based)
- Number of Masts: Sidewheel
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Wave was a wooden-hulled, sidewheel steamer designed for bulk freight transport.
Description
The Wave was built in 1864 and primarily operated in Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay. She was crucial in hauling logs and timber during Michigan’s lumber boom.
History
The Wave played a significant role in transporting logs from Michigan’s forests to sawmills in Bay City, Saginaw, and Detroit. She may have also assisted in rafting operations, towing logs in floating bundles to mills.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: August 27, 1874
- Location: Off Charity Islands, Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron
- Cause: Fire and boiler explosion
- Cargo at Loss: Logs
- Loss of Life: None, but crew narrowly escaped
Final Disposition
While rafting logs near Big Charity Island, the Wave caught fire from an unknown cause. The two crew members attempted to abandon ship on a wooden plank. As they floated under the bow, the steamer’s boiler exploded, scattering debris across the lakebed. The crew miraculously survived, likely rescued by nearby boats or floating wreckage.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is believed to have scattered debris due to the boiler explosion. Some metal components, such as the boiler, engine, and sidewheel fittings, may still exist. No known modern dive surveys or recovery efforts have been conducted.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”wave-us-26645″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Wave (1864–1874) was a significant vessel in Michigan’s lumber trade. Her loss underscores the dangers of early steam power and the hazards faced by loggers and sailors in the timber transport industry.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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