Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

William G. (1929)

Explore the wreck of the William G., a mid-20th century vessel that foundered during a storm in 1947, with minimal documentation available.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: William G.
  • Type: Unknown (likely cargo vessel or tow)
  • Year Built: 1929
  • Builder: Presumed steel or composite typical of post-1920s construction
  • Dimensions:
  • Location: Great Lakes (exact coordinates not documented)
  • Original Owners: C. C. Dickerhoff

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Identification & Profile

  • Name: William G.
  • Year Built: 1929
  • Construction: Presumed steel or composite typical of post-1920s construction (specific materials not identified)
  • Type: Unknown (likely cargo vessel or tow, based on ownership and loss conditions)
  • Owner at Time of Loss: C. C. Dickerhoff
  • Home Port: Port Huron, Michigan

Description

Final Disposition

  • Date of Loss: August 26, 1947
  • Location: Great Lakes (exact coordinates not documented)
  • Cause of Loss: Foundered during a storm
  • Casualties: Unknown; no detail provided
  • Condition: Total loss

History

Incident Notes

  • No enrollment or registry number yet found
  • Minimal details in contemporary records; no official Marine Board of Investigation report recovered
  • Incident indexed by Great Lakes Shipwreck Files under “27 PM W”

Significant Incidents

Historical Significance & Observations
The William G. reflects the broad category of mid-20th century work vessels operating out of Port Huron. Due to the absence of hull specifications or clear ownership records beyond C. C. Dickerhoff, its exact class and configuration remain unknown. Foundering in 1947 during a storm aligns with several small barge and tow losses of the period, often under-documented if crew survived or the vessel was not insured.

Final Disposition

Further Research Recommendations

  • Examine U.S. Coast Guard merchant vessel documentation for 1929-1947
  • Search local newspaper archives around Port Huron for August 26–30, 1947 for loss reports
  • Investigate C. C. Dickerhoff’s fleet registry and marine casualty filings
  • Contact Port Huron Maritime Museum or regional archives

Current Condition & Accessibility

Status
This vessel is poorly documented in public or maritime databases. Additional primary-source validation is necessary to construct a complete dossier.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

Keywords: William G., Port Huron, storm, 1947, foundered, cargo vessel, Great Lakes losses